Rails

Basics

A Rail is a controller object that can manage power demands and availability. Rails primarily concern themselves with a power management strategy that allows Actuators to activate and stay activated, while providing a parent attachment point for such. When too many devices on the same power supply are active, power can be drained from and affect other devices operating unless some sort of mitigation strategy is used.

Power rails come in two main flavors: simple counting-based (e.g. slotting), and regulated (e.g. power usage metered, requires contPower parameter set for Actuators).

Supported Rails

• AC 110V: high AC power, main type used in US and others - used for powering water pumps, grow lights, etc.
• AC 220V: higher AC power, more typical as main AC in EU and others but also used in US - similar in use to AC 110V
• DC 3V3: small device DC power, used for powering smaller electronics
• DC 5V: standard device DC power, used for powering basic componentry
• DC 12V: strong DC power, used for powering more powerful componentry
• DC 24V: high DC power, used for powering large equipment
• DC 48V: higher DC power, used for powering even larger equipment