An Introduction to KNX: Making technology work together

There will come a time (if you’ve not had one already) when a control system is a pre-requisite on a project and you will not have the option of conventional control.  Surely you don’t want to walk away? So when this happens, there is likely to be a vast choice of systems, all pertaining to provide the perfect solution.  In reality, over time, some will and some will not. KNX can, and in fact already does, control all electrical and environmental elements in a building.  And as the building evolves, so too can the KNX system. You would be a fool to ignore KNX and with this article, I hope I can give you enough information to get your attention, push you to find out more.

What is KNX?

KNX is the worldwide standard for home and building automation. In order to transfer control data to all building management components, a system is required that does away with the problems of isolated devices, by ensuring that all components communicate via one common language – in other words, a system such as the manufacturer and application domains independent KNX Bus.

The KNX standard is based upon more than 15 years of experience in the market, amongst others with its predecessor systems EIB, EHS and BatiBUS. Via the KNX medium to which all bus devices are connected (twisted pair, radio frequency, power line or IP/Ethernet), they are able to exchange information/data. Bus devices can either be sensors or actuators needed for the control of building management equipment such as: lighting, blinds/shutters, security systems, energy management, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, signaling and monitoring systems, interfaces to service and building control systems, remote control, metering, audio/video control, white goods, etc. All these functions can be controlled, monitored and signaled via a uniformed system without the need for any extra control centers.

Why should you choose KNX?

By choosing the KNX standard as the backbone for your control solution, you open up a world of opportunities.  Some of the most highly respected electrical manufacturers in the world are involved with the international KNX standard, meaning the choice and quality of products that the KNX portfolio offers is unmatched. And by becoming skilled in one standard, you are able to offer your clients a whole spectrum of control solutions exceeding their expectations.

The KNX standard can be used across a range of control applications including:

• Lighting
• HVAC
• Intruder alarms
• Audio visual systems
• Household appliances
• Blinds/solar control
• Façade management
• Automatic window control
• Energy management and control
• Metering
• Monitoring applications

Because KNX covers such a diversity of applications using one standard, it means your cabling network can be much simpler.  A single twisted pair cable can often suffice, with multiple elements operating together on a single network. KNX controlled devices are generally based around the standard green KNX/EIB bus cable (i.e. twisted pair) but can be run across the following media:

• Radio Bus (wireless)
• Ethernet (structured cabling)
• Fibre Optic
• Occasionally power line

A number of manufacturers have also developed ‘gateways’ to other control protocols, such as DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Intelligence).  These simple devices are used to expand the capability of KNX control systems to provide the complete solution for your building.  KNX has also worked closely with management-level protocols such as BACnet to enable a close cooperation between these two standards when the project requires additional integration.

Specifiers and end users are increasingly heralding KNX as the open solution for any building control application.  The drawbacks of proprietary solutions or various hardware-based controls are being increasingly recognized.  What maintains KNX’s superiority is that every KNX-compliant piece of equipment has been fully tested and certified to this highly stringent standard by an independent regulatory body.  It is only at this point that it can carry the KNX logo, as controlled by the international KNX Association of Brussels.  So you can have total confidence in reliability and interoperability, whatever KNX devices or system you choose

Advantages of KNX

• KNX is an International Standard, therefore future proof – ISO/EIC, CENELEC, CEN, SAC, ANSI/ASHRAE
• By product certification, KNX guarantees Interoperability & Interworking of products. The KNX certification process ensures that different products of different manufactures used in different applications operate and communicate with each other.
• KNX stands for high product quality. KNX Association requires a high level of production and quality control during all stages of the product life. Therefore all manufacturing members have to show compliance to ISO 9001 before they even can apply for a KNX product certification.
• A unique manufacturer independent Engineering Tool Software ETS® – The PC software tool ETS allows the planning, engineering, and configuration of all KNX certified products.
• KNX can be used for all applications in home and building control.
• KNX is fit for use in different kind of buildings and can be used in both new as well as existing buildings.
• KNX supports different configuration modes and offers different ‘step-in’ levels for the realization of KNX projects. Via KNX E-Mode (Easy Installation), non-KNX qualified electrical contractors are addressed. Via S-Mode (System Installation), KNX trained contractors/integrators are able to realize sophisticated installations.
• KNX supports several communication media – Twisted Pair, Power Line, Radio frequency, IP/Ethernet.
• KNX can be coupled to other systems. Several KNX manufacturers offer gateways to other networks, i.e. to other building automation systems, telephone networks, multimedia networks, IP networks, etc

KNX Projects in 80 Countries World Wide

What’s the next step?

With Ivory Egg there’s a few ways of getting yourself and your business in a position to benefit from the growing KNX market.  We can offer a selection of training courses and books that will help set you on your way.

Training Courses

Ivory Egg can provide 3 levels of training to suit the needs of you and/or your business:

1. Introduction to KNX
A 2-day course that’s intended to be a starting point for those not able to commit to the full KNX Certification course and for any additional staff involved in selling/specifying of KNX. The course includes some practical programming.

2. KNX Certification
This course certifies the individual and the business and gets you listed as an official KNX ‘partner’ on the www.knx.org website. The aim is to give engineers who will be commissioning systems practical knowledge of the commissioning tool, it gives a thorough grounding on the principals with a lot of practical work included.

3. Customised
We can also provide direct one to one or customised training via the KNX Consultants.

Books

The best and only book we would recommend has been written by the KNX association themselves.  The KNX Silver Bible is the definitive handbook, providing an introducing to the KNX system and common applications.  It addresses beginners as well as professionals who already have a basic knowledge of home and building control based on KNX, and is available to order from the KNXShop.co.uk.

Forum

If you have a specific KNX query, then the Ivory Egg forum is also a good source of support, as all the key manufacturers’ and integrators’ keep a close eye on this.

Mentoring

If you’re not too keen to jump in yourself and do it all on your first project, then an alternative may be to employ a certified engineer to help you. They could do all the design work and commissioning or just help you as and when you need it. There are a number of consultants who can help you with this depending on your needs and where you’re based.  Please contact us on 01243 572 700 and we’ll put you in touch with the most appropriate person for you and the specific project.

Further Information

If you still want to find out more about KNX, then there’s a growing network of integrators who have joined KNX UK to share their experiences, help promote the KNX standard within the UK and to benefit from the networking and promotional output of the organization.  Read more about this proactive UK-based organization at knxuk.org.

To find out more technical detail on the standard itself, visit the pages of the international KNX Association of Brussels web site at knx.org.

There are now over 150 manufacturers of KNX products, all of the key ones are supplied via knxshop.co.uk.  Here are a few links to some of the key manufacturers websites where you’ll find specific information about their KNX certified product ranges:

• Gira and www.girashop.co.uk
• Merten and www.mertenshop.co.uk
• Basalte
• Zennio
• Theben
• Siemens
• Jung
• ABB
• Berker
• Altenburger
• Arcus

Tags: Building Control, Building Intelligence, Building Management Systems, KNX

This entry was posted on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 10:53 am and is filed under KNX. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.