Arduino-based relay actuation - Revision history

Uwe: /* Core control functionality */

2025-12-31T15:14:25Z

Core control functionality

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:14, 31 December 2025
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	The software allows the main control to manipulate the hardware in several ways:		The software allows the main control to manipulate the hardware in several ways:

	Relay Switching: Direct commands to turn specific ~~relays~~ ON (Set) or OFF (Unset).		Relay Switching: Direct commands to turn specific outputs ON (Set) or OFF (Unset).

			Note: The logic if an output of the Controllino switches on or off a device depends on the design of the control cabinet: If further relays are used in combination with the internal relays of the Controllino.

	Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.		Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.

Uwe: /* Soft-Start initialisation */

2025-12-31T15:10:18Z

Soft-Start initialisation

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:10, 31 December 2025
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	When the device powers up or resets:		When the device powers up or resets:

	It ensures all ~~relays~~ start in the OFF state.		It ensures all outputs start in the OFF state.

	It initializes the pins sequentially with a slight delay between each. This prevents a sudden power surge (inrush current) that might occur if all electrical devices were turned on simultaneously.		It initializes the pins sequentially with a slight delay between each. This prevents a sudden power surge (inrush current) that might occur if all electrical devices were turned on simultaneously.

Uwe: /* Safety functionality = */

2025-12-31T15:05:40Z

Safety functionality =

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 31 December 2025
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	Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.		Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.

	== Safety functionality ===		== Safety functionality ==

	The software implements three safety functions.		The software implements three safety functions.

Uwe at 15:05, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T15:05:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:05, 31 December 2025
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	\|}		\|}

	The SW provided as part of this project enables the device to act as fail-safe relay actuator.		The software provided as part of this project enables the device to act as fail-safe relay actuator.
	It operates as a "slave" device, receiving commands from ~~a central controller~~ (~~likely a~~ Raspberry Pi via USB/Serial) and managing high-voltage physical devices like pumps, ~~lights~~, and ~~feeders~~.		The Controllino operates as a "slave" device, receiving commands from the main control (running on Raspberry Pi via USB/Serial) and managing high-and low voltage physical devices like pumps, skimmer, heating, ventilation and feeder.

	1. Communication Protocol		== Communication Protocol ==

	The device communicates via a serial USB connection using a custom, fixed-length message protocol.		The device communicates with the main control via a serial USB connection using a custom, fixed-length message protocol.

	Message Structure: Every command consists of a fixed packet size (8 bytes).		Message Structure: Every command consists of a fixed packet size (8 bytes).

	Data Integrity: The ~~firmware implements~~ a checksum validation ~~process~~. It calculates a logical "signature" for incoming data to ensure the message wasn't corrupted during transmission. If a message is corrupt, the device rejects it and returns an error code; otherwise, it executes the command.		Data Integrity: The software performs a checksum validation.
			It calculates a logical "signature" for incoming data to ensure the message wasn't corrupted during transmission.

			If a message is corrupt, the device rejects it and returns an error code; otherwise, it executes the command.

	Feedback: The device sends confirmation messages back to the controller, including current status data or error flags if a command is unrecognized.		Feedback: The device sends confirmation messages back to the controller, including current status data or error flags if a command is unrecognized.

	2. Core ~~Control Capabilities~~		== Core control functionality ==

	The ~~firmware~~ allows the ~~external controller~~ to manipulate the hardware in several ways:		The software allows the main control to manipulate the hardware in several ways:

	Relay Switching: Direct commands to turn specific relays ON (Set) or OFF (Unset).		Relay Switching: Direct commands to turn specific relays ON (Set) or OFF (Unset).

	~~Digital I/O Control: Similar control for digital input/output pins.~~

	Pulse Actuation: A specialized command to turn a relay ON for a specific, precise duration (defined in the message) and then automatically turn it OFF. This is useful for dosing pumps or precise feeding.

	Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.		Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.

	3. Safety ~~Mechanisms~~		== Safety functionality ===

	~~A major focus of this code is strictly enforcing~~ safety ~~to prevent hardware failure or aquarium disasters (like overflowing or overfeeding)~~.		The software implements three safety functions.

	A. "Dead Man's Switch" (Silence Watchdog)		=== "Dead Man's Switch" (Silence Watchdog) ===

	The ~~firmware~~ monitors the connection with the ~~master controller~~.		The software monitors the connection with the main control.

	Heartbeat Monitoring: It expects regular valid messages (heartbeats or commands).		Heartbeat Monitoring: It expects regular valid messages (heartbeats or commands).

	~~Fail-safe Trigger:~~ If the device detects "silence" (no valid messages received) for a specific threshold (set to 3 minutes), it assumes the master controller has crashed or disconnected.		If the device detects "silence" (no valid messages received) for a specific threshold (set to 3 minutes), it assumes the master controller has crashed or disconnected.

	Safe State: Upon triggering, the device immediately resets all relays to a default "OFF" state to prevent equipment from running indefinitely without supervision.		Safe State: Upon triggering, the device immediately resets all relays to a default "OFF" state to prevent equipment from running indefinitely without supervision.

	B. Run-Time Limiters (Runaway Prevention)		=== Run-Time Limiters (Runaway Prevention) ===

	To prevent specific critical equipment from getting stuck in the "ON" state, the code tracks how long relays have been active.		To prevent specific critical equipment from getting stuck in the "ON" state, the code tracks how long relays have been active.

	Targeted Monitoring: Two specific relays (designated for the ~~Refill Pump~~ and the ~~Feeder~~) are monitored.		Targeted Monitoring: Two specific relays (designated for the refill pump and the feeder) are monitored.

	Automatic Cut-off: If either of these devices remains ON for longer than a hard-coded safety limit (1 minute), the firmware overrides the command and forces them OFF. This prevents a stuck command from ~~emptying a reservoir~~ or dumping too much food.		Automatic Cut-off: If either of these devices remains ON for longer than a hard-coded safety limit (1 minute), the firmware overrides the command and forces them OFF. This prevents a stuck command from overflowing the main tank or dumping too much food.

	C. Soft-Start ~~Initialization~~		=== Soft-Start initialisation ===

	When the device powers up or resets:		When the device powers up or resets:

Uwe at 14:53, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T14:53:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 31 December 2025
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	'''Note:''' This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino nor Arduino.		'''Note:''' This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino nor Arduino.
	\|}		\|}

			The SW provided as part of this project enables the device to act as fail-safe relay actuator.
			It operates as a "slave" device, receiving commands from a central controller (likely a Raspberry Pi via USB/Serial) and managing high-voltage physical devices like pumps, lights, and feeders.

			1. Communication Protocol

			The device communicates via a serial USB connection using a custom, fixed-length message protocol.

			Message Structure: Every command consists of a fixed packet size (8 bytes).

			Data Integrity: The firmware implements a checksum validation process. It calculates a logical "signature" for incoming data to ensure the message wasn't corrupted during transmission. If a message is corrupt, the device rejects it and returns an error code; otherwise, it executes the command.

			Feedback: The device sends confirmation messages back to the controller, including current status data or error flags if a command is unrecognized.

			2. Core Control Capabilities

			The firmware allows the external controller to manipulate the hardware in several ways:

			Relay Switching: Direct commands to turn specific relays ON (Set) or OFF (Unset).

			Digital I/O Control: Similar control for digital input/output pins.

			Pulse Actuation: A specialized command to turn a relay ON for a specific, precise duration (defined in the message) and then automatically turn it OFF. This is useful for dosing pumps or precise feeding.

			Status Reporting: The device can query the internal state of all 16 relays and return a bitmap indicating exactly which devices are currently running.

			3. Safety Mechanisms

			A major focus of this code is strictly enforcing safety to prevent hardware failure or aquarium disasters (like overflowing or overfeeding).

			A. "Dead Man's Switch" (Silence Watchdog)

			The firmware monitors the connection with the master controller.

			Heartbeat Monitoring: It expects regular valid messages (heartbeats or commands).

			Fail-safe Trigger: If the device detects "silence" (no valid messages received) for a specific threshold (set to 3 minutes), it assumes the master controller has crashed or disconnected.

			Safe State: Upon triggering, the device immediately resets all relays to a default "OFF" state to prevent equipment from running indefinitely without supervision.

			B. Run-Time Limiters (Runaway Prevention)

			To prevent specific critical equipment from getting stuck in the "ON" state, the code tracks how long relays have been active.

			Targeted Monitoring: Two specific relays (designated for the Refill Pump and the Feeder) are monitored.

			Automatic Cut-off: If either of these devices remains ON for longer than a hard-coded safety limit (1 minute), the firmware overrides the command and forces them OFF. This prevents a stuck command from emptying a reservoir or dumping too much food.

			C. Soft-Start Initialization

			When the device powers up or resets:

			It ensures all relays start in the OFF state.

			It initializes the pins sequentially with a slight delay between each. This prevents a sudden power surge (inrush current) that might occur if all electrical devices were turned on simultaneously.

Uwe at 13:14, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T13:14:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 31 December 2025
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	{\| style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid #aaa; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;"		{\| style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid #aaa; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;"
	\|		\|
	'''Note:''' This is ~~a simple box using table syntax~~.		'''Note:''' This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino nor Arduino.
	\|}		\|}

Uwe at 13:14, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T13:14:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:14, 31 December 2025
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	{~~{Ambox~~ Note: This ~~project~~ is ~~NOT affiliated with neither Controllino NOR Arduino~~.}}		{\| style="width: 100%; border: 1px solid #aaa; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 5px;"
			\|
			'''Note:''' This is a simple box using table syntax.
			\|}

Uwe at 13:13, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T13:13:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 31 December 2025
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	{Ambox Note: This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino NOR Arduino.}		{{Ambox Note: This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino NOR Arduino.}}

Uwe at 13:13, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T13:13:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:13, 31 December 2025
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	Using an additional device, the aquarium control can actuate a set of relays.		Using an additional device, the aquarium control can actuate a set of relays.

	~~The study confirmed~~ the ~~results.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http~~://~~example~~.com ~~\|title=Study Results \|author=Doe~~, ~~Jane \|date=2023-01-01}}</ref>~~		One such device is the [https://www.controllino.com Controllino] from Boot & Work Corp, S.L..

	According to their website, ~~<ref>The CONTROLLINO~~ is an industry-grade PLC based on open source software.~~</ref>~~		According to their website, the Controllino is an industry-grade PLC based on open source software.
			It is not affiliated to Arduino and is a derivative product.
			Tech support for Controllino needs to be directed to the above mentioned manufacturer.


			{Ambox Note: This project is NOT affiliated with neither Controllino NOR Arduino.}

Uwe at 13:07, 31 December 2025

2025-12-31T13:07:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:07, 31 December 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Using an additional device, the aquarium control can actuate a set of relays.		Using an additional device, the aquarium control can actuate a set of relays.

			The study confirmed the results.<ref>{{cite web \|url=http://example.com \|title=Study Results \|author=Doe, Jane \|date=2023-01-01}}</ref>

	According to their website, <ref>The CONTROLLINO is an industry-grade PLC based on open source software.</ref>		According to their website, <ref>The CONTROLLINO is an industry-grade PLC based on open source software.</ref>