Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Hardware and software requirements
This project is based on hacking a commercial device to control light directly from your
computer via USB. However, the goal is really to teach you how to hack your own device,
so the device that you are going to hack doesn't matter that much. Therefore, mentioning a
specific brand or product is irrelevant.
Note
Since this chapter is about hacking a device that uses dangerous voltages such as 110V or
230V, it should be considered only as an informational source and not be used as such in
your home for safety reasons. Indeed, there is no way to be sure that the device will contin-
ue working properly in the long term once installed in your home.
Also, make sure to never touch the inside of the device when it is under operation and
make sure that no cables are coming out of the plastic enclosure.
What you want first is a device that integrates a plug that's controllable remotely. For ex-
ample, I chose a pack of four identical devices that can be controlled via a small radio re-
mote. Each of these devices is basically an on/off switch that can be controlled by a relay
located inside the device.
These devices were very cheap ($9.90 for the four devices) and are perfect to hack as they
can be easily opened up. The following image shows such a device:
You can take any similar device, the most important thing being that the device is somehow
controllable from an electronic system such as a remote control. This is important as we
will later insert a relay inside the enclosure to control the switch. Mechanical controllable
