Sequent MicrosystemsHome Automation 8-Layer Stackable HAT Made for Raspberry Pi

We purchased these for a new project where we would normally use a PLC. This product has a number of features in one package making it perfect for our application. So far, we are very pleased with the product and with this company. We have asked questions and received very fast replies from very knowledgeable people. If you need these types of products, we highly recommend this company!

This product has been perfect for our companies needs. We initially bought two as prototypes to control opening and closing water and air valves in an automation sequence. The product was easy to control using both NodeJS and Python. Our initial testing went so well that we ended up purchasing 4 more and leveraging it in more ways than we had initially planned. We stack 3 cards on top of each other as well.

After struggling with trying to get my old PiFace HAT to run with OpenPLC, I was pleasantly surprised when I came across the Sequent Microsystems Home Automation HAT.Here are my observations after working with it for a few days:LikesHardware appears to be well-built and of good qualityOptically Isolated Inputs eliminate concerns about pull-up or pull-down resistors in Raspberry Pi inputsPlug-in connectors reduces chances of accidental damage during wiringIntegrated support for free open source OpenPLC programming software and RPi run-timeOther programming options supportedBuilt-in support for Modbus TCP through OpenPLCInexpensive for Home Automation applicationsGood for learning industrial automation software and hardware interfacesSelf tests that ease trouble-shooting of the board itselfDislike (slightly)Analog Inputs of 0-3V instead of 1-5V (4-20mA) industrial standardOn balance, I would rate it 5-stars.

The Home Automation card seems to target what the name implies, but it has features that make it usable for industrial applications. Eight opto-isolated inputs with event counters up to 100 Hz seem to be more adequate for industry rather than home. Same for the quadrature encoders, the hardware watchdog, and the PWM open drain outputs.The 8 relays occupy all the space on top of the board, so all the components are crammed on the bottom. Be aware, there is a limitation on the relay contacts. Probably due to space constraints imposed by pluggable connectors (very nice to have), the relays have only the normal-open contacts brought out. This is probably sufficient for most home projects, if you want to turn on a sprinkler or your garage door, but not good if you want to reverse the direction of a motor.A little overkill for the home hobbyist, but very good value for the money.

This board has pretty much every kind of I/O one might need for home automation projects. Having all connections available via screw terminals is a nice improvement over the previous IOPLUS board. The compromise is that the relays only have N/O contacts, and groups of opto-isolated inputs share a common ground, which makes it difficult to truly isolate them. But if you need additional flexibility, Sequent sells other boards without those limitations.The Plibioplus ython software is easy to use.

This card condenses in rather a small space an amazing set of features. Command line installs from theGitHub link and the card responds right away.It has eight relays, which I plan to use to control heating and cooling. Self testing the relays turns themon and off and the LEDs show status. Make sure you do not run this command after wiring the relays!Eight analog inputs, with pull-ups for 10K thermistors. I plan to use these to read temperaturesthrougout the house.Four 0-10V outputs, perfect for light dimmers.More inputs and outputs for which I do not have a plan right now, but nice to have. Maybe I'll use theopto-isolated inputs to read motion sensors for security.Lots of wiring, but removable screw-type connectors make it easier.

I have used several of the Sequent Microsystems HATs in the past and have loved everyone of them. They always have solid hardware and the code is all open source so they will work forever with your code.

I bought one of these a few weeks back to use in place of the Automation HAT. It's an awesome value, awesome package, and awesome that it's stackable! I'll definitely be using these for my projects going forward.