Wall touch sensor

[Yago Casasnovas]

Hi everyone. I am building a new house and I want to do some home automation. I already have knowledge in Arduino and its sensors/actuators.

My idea is to have all lights controlled by arduino and relay sets, either from an app/web via Raspberry or directly by wall switches. First I though of using wall push-buttons that would be connected direclty to arduino (5V). Then I thought it would be fancier to have touch sensors instead. For arduino there are already like this one: http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_230867_1.jpg

So I am looking for something that does the same but that I can put in the wall. All I have found out there are touch sensors working at 220V and with wireless connection like this one:
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/BroadLink-TC1-UK-standard-1-gang_60557743703.html?spm=a2700.7724857.main07.21.2bd13975bmHL1h&s=p
I do not want that, instead a wall touch sensor that can be wired directly to arduino (5V).

Any comment? Help?

Thanks.

[Boots33]

@Yago-Casasnovas If you do a search for touch switch you may find a few ideas. This one might be of use.

[Yago Casasnovas]

Hey thanks for replying @Boots33.

So as I understand there is no off the shelf solution and I'd have to do some hacking. Is it not strange that nobody is manufacturing something similar?

Is it so weird to wire the sensors directly to Arduino through the walls? Maybe there would be some interference issues wiring in the same tube, 220V power wires and 5V signal wires?

Thanks.

[rvendrame]

@Yago-Casasnovas , the one mentioned by Boots runs a coincell. There is no wire to connect it, just glue anywhere and it will send commands to your controller. The standard one uses 433Mhz (like a garage door remote control), while the hacked version from Nca78 transforms it in 'mySensors enabled'.

It doesn't control any light though, like the one you found from Broadlink. If you want a module to replace the original switch, wired to the lamp, search for 'Livolo' in the forum and you will find some hacks too.

[A Former User]

Check this link out. Be sure to watch his you tube video too.
https://tech.scargill.net/cheap-as-chips-touch-switch/