An automation apparatus for controlling irrigation and garden lighting, the apparatus comprising: one or more Switch Modules that are adapted to activate and deactivate one or more managed devices at least one Control Module coupled to each of the one or more Switch Modules for communicating command data that causes a predetermined Switch Module to activate or deactivate a predetermined respective one or more managed devices and a Power Supply Module coupled to power cable for providing a source of electrical power to each of the Control Module and the one or more Switch Modules. The apparatus can further include one or more Sensor Modules, the Sensor Module being adapted to obtain sensor data from one or more sensor devices and communicate the sensor data to at least one Control Module. Data communication between the Control Module and Switch Modules or Sensor Modules can be bi-directional and transported across the power cable.
