Hi,
I am renovating my house and I am at the stage I can install any wires I want.
I was thinking on adding a smart lock to avoid carrying keys with me. I want to build a future-proof solution that have a fallback option in case the smart part fails.
That is why I am thinking in using traditional locks with electric strikes wired to a central box, where I can add some smart relays (I am comfortable building my own PCB if needed).
What do you think of this approach? Do you see any potential problems or do you know any better solution?
I have a similar philosophy for all the lights, I was planning to use the new Shelly PRO but I decided to not to add intelligence in between switches and the bulbs. I designed my own solution making the house very easy to fix by any electrician and if any device breaks the lights still work (project: https://github.com/crgarcia12/electronics-homeassistant-lightscontroll/tree/main/PCB/schematics-v17)
I don’t think there is anything like a future proof solution when it comes to smart tech. Run as many CAT6 as you can to all places where you could imagine some type of wired device. Then add some more on top of that. Make sure switches have neutral, but afaik that’s code on new builds in pretty much all countries anyway now. So unless you want to go all in with a wired ecosystem like KNX, that’s pretty much all you can do in terms of future proofing. The rest is going to be playing catchup with a highly evolving tech sector.
Avoid complete DIY stuff around the electrical panel and your house. While it might be tempting to design your own smart infrastructure with your own devices all over the house, that’s going to bite you in the butt sooner or later. At the very least when you want/need to sell the house at some point in the future. Go with standard tech, make it modular, generic and easily replaceable or even removable if needed.
What happens when the power fails ? Will you be permanently locked out or will the door just unlock by itself ? Both scenarios are pretty unfavorable. Honestly, I think you’re overthinking this. Just use a standard zwave/zigbee smartlock with a built-in battery and mechanical failsafe key. Hide the physical key somewhere / give it to your neighbors for emergencies or if the smart lock fails. Then replace the lock with whatever the new great thing will be a few years down the road.