Ivory Egg Blog

Ivory Egg’s ISE 2010 Review

March 12th, 2010

 

By all accounts, ISE 2010 boasted record attendance levels, and I have to say it felt pretty busy to me. I must have walked miles, the place was absolutely massive! I’m informed that visitor numbers this year were up by over 14% and exhibitor rebooking was also at record levels. As other exhibitions appear to have struggled during the economic slump, ISE has gone from strength to strength, so I for one are expecting things to be even bigger in 2011. As for 2010, some of Ivory Egg’s highlights include:

Samsung H03 & SP-F10M

Samsung showcased two new excellent projectors… Weighing in at only 200 grams, the Samsung H03 is capable to run for about 2 hours on a single charge. It is LED-based and has a brightness of 30 ANSI lumens and a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours. Additionally, the H03 also supports various connectivity options like USB/PC/Composite, and features a handy MicroSD slot. On the other hand, the Samsung SP-F10M was touted as the industry’s first LED-based data projector with 1000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a lifespan of up to 30,000 hours, which means it could last for about 20 years with four hours of daily usage. The SP-F10M also features PC-free File Viewer allowing you to view or project the file directly from USB drive. Boh projectors support Office and PDF formats

Mitsubishi 149in OLED

What a beast… Mitsubishi Electric showcased a 149in prototype OLED screen. At 1920×3264mm OLED display or 6.2m or 149in, this is larger than any existing commercial product out there. It has a screen resolution of 1088×640 pixels at 3mm pixel pitch. They also had some nice LED-based projection engines for its Seventy Series display wall cubes (the L46XM), featuring a 46in diagonal WXGA (1366×768 pixel) LCD display with a total mullion width of 7.3mm, and a Multi-Touch interface option for its Seventy Series display wall systems that enables multiple users to interact with a display wall simultaneously.

Philips Dynalite Revolution Touch Screen

The Revolution colour touch screen and Revolution Series 2 user control panel were on display from Philips Dynalite. Also centre stage on their stand was an excellent demonstration room, which comprised a mock boardroom equipped with a remote-controlled integrated lighting and AV control system with additional curtain and blind control. The system incorporate Philips Dynalite controllers, serial port interfaces and user control interfaces, as well as third-party control systems. All components were linked via Philips Dynalite’s sophisticated peer-to-peer communications serial bus network, DyNet. In addition to this fully integrated lighting control system, Philips Dynalite showcased a number of individual integrated control system elements, such as the company’s modular multipurpose controller range. Ideal for home automation and hotel suite control applications, the controllers feature unique hardware-configurable design, where plug-in output cards accommodate specific loads assigned to the system.

Xantech’s Free Training Seminars

A leader in AV control, Xantech was running training seminars on its huge product line as well as discussing the current and future direction of the AV industry. We particularly enjoyed New 2010 Products that addressed the residential and commercial opportunities for custom integrators with multi-room audio, video and control installations. And also Digital Delivery Systems, which gave an excellent overview of the Xantech Digital Delivery System, a simple, elegant high-performance multi-room audio solution incorporating digital amplification, an all-digital signal path and multi-source keypads.

Other items etc that get a worthy Ivory Egg mention included:

  • Gira exhibiting KNX with Revox on their stand
  • Opus 2-way control of KNX from their touch panels
  • sqhead.com
  • Empure Pronto KNX/Crestron integrations
  • Artsound Scalable Multiroom Solution that is KNX compatible.
  • Prion from oehlbach AV connectors
  • Stark architectural and interactive projectors
  • Nuvo’s new Powerline product
  • Lang Radar Touch Display
  • Crestron Digital Media HD

 

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Ivory Egg predictions for the future of Smart Building ...

March 12th, 2010

Smart building technology is not only saving building owners and their tenants cold hard cash, it is also offering significant assistance in saving this little planet of ours. Thanks in part to internet protocol-based networks, these new digital technologies are ready to make dramatic contributions in how buildings function, particularly by helping to significantly reduce their energy consumption. At Ivory Egg, we like to think of ourselves at the forefront of this revolution, so we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite technological advancements that we know will have a big impact on smart  building technology in the future:

  • Facilities Management Tools will start to use Augmented Reality & 3D
    Operating a high performance building will require high performance tools. Think 3D, augmented reality and BIM. Building Information Modeling is primarily used for design, construction and pre-fabrication of assemblies. Its benefits during this stage of building are improved design, design coordination and collusion detection. Its benefit for building operation has primarily been the extraction of data from the design and construction phases into a facility management system. In 2010 expect facility management systems to incorporate 3D BIM-like aspects to allow facility managers to visualize and understand the complex interactions within their buildings. In addition, we’ll start to see the use of augmented reality. If you watched a Premiership game with Andy Gray where the run of a player is highlighted on the pitch, or where the direction of the ball is outlined from a free kick, then you’ve seen the reality (the football pitch) augmented with the virtual, done in real-time and 3D. Imagine 3D models of mechanical and electrical systems augmented with real time data and you start to have tools to really manage high performance buildings.
  • Micro Energy Management Systems
    We tend to think of energy management systems as large enterprise-wide systems. We can expect energy management systems to evolve for individuals or specific spaces or functions. Individuals will have an energy management system on their laptops and calculate their carbon footprint at their desk. By 2011 we can expect PC software manufacturers to start offering middleware applications to allow users to monitor and manage their localized energy systems, such as plugloads, lighting and thermal comfort.
  • The Smart Grid will redefine Home Automation & Media Centers
    It is one thing to have a home automation system turn your lights off and on or a home media system which allows access to 200 high definition channels but the smart grid changes all that. The home automation system now has to communicate with the utility grid. The telecom service provider to the home is no longer the only utility supplying content and communication to the home. In fact, the media center is one of the larger energy users in the home and could possibly be managed by the smart grid. The smart grid forces the home automation market to re-think and re-invent residential systems, adding layers of new intelligence, communications and protocols not previously seen.
  • Facial Recognition will replace Swipe Cards & Credit Cards
    Video surveillance cameras have advanced the use of facial recognition. Admittedly, it’s difficult to pick out one face in a large crowd, such as people walking into a stadium (although it has been used to tackle hooliganism in Europe). However, on an individual basis, facial recognition is pretty good. With your face as your ID, gone will be the need for credit cards and access control cards/keys. The upside is better security. Credit cards can be stolen and access control cards can be passed from person to person, not so with your boat race.
  • Energy conservation measures will be given a value
    In order to retrofit and upgrade existing buildings to high performance buildings, owners will need to borrow money to fund the upfront capital costs. For banks and financial institutions to provide such credit they need to clearly identify their risks. Specifically, they need to know with some certainty the energy savings and payback period for each energy conservation step that the building owner undertakes; such as lighting control retrofits, mechanical systems replacements, control system upgrades etc.
  • Developers need to generate new revenue streams specifically related to energy
    Developers are always looking for ways to increase their net income and energy will become the newest opportunity. Expect developers to buy energy at wholesale rates and retail the energy to their tenants and building owners, embrace alternative energy sources and sell energy back to the grid, offer services to tenants such as energy information and management reports, generate revenues from recharging electric vehicles and provide similar services for the monitoring and management of gas and water.
  • The rise of the Green Eco Lawyer
    There was a period when around 20% of new buildings that received certification did not meet their energy performance targets. In the future I think we can expect to find that when someone buys or leases a building or building space with an energy certification based on energy performance and the building or space does not perform, tenants and owners will then sue. Damages may be the projected increases in energy costs over the life of the building, lack of thermal comfort, inadequate lighting staining the eyes etc. Architects, MEP firms, developers, facility managers, facility technicians, building owners, contractors and property managers may all be potential targets. I give you the rise of the ‘Green Eco Lawyer”.

 

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Is it building automation or total transformation?

March 12th, 2010

Over the past few years or so there has been a lot of attention paid in the media to solutions and applications that will impact how we manage and operate our buildings and their carbon footprint. It certainly feels that everybody is in agreement on the benefits of smarter buildings. With products such as the Energy DataStream by Synetica and other technological innovations now in the marketplace, we can already start to deliver on the promise of smart building technology. Energy monitoring and management, optimised operations, automated fault detection and even automated demand response have all become a reality.

It basically relies on the same principles of innovation that we have seen in IT and nearly every other industry in recent years. Open, interoperable and extendable platforms allowing connectivity and communication between building systems, security systems and IT systems with value added applications that help us improve building performance, drive down energy consumption, and reduce the operating costs of building. As we have seen in all other industries that have been transformed by the power of technology, after providing the open connectivity and communication the unimaginable becomes imaginable, and the sky is the limit. We simply haven’t seen anything yet and smart building technology is actually becoming, well, smart at long last.

Will buildings be operated by professional operators in overseas countries? Do we even need fancy central operating centers, or will an iPhone do? Is the Internet (Google maybe?) going to predict how my buildings should perform and automatically adjust its parameters off the cuff? Will the tenant or building user know exactly how much energy is consumed and what an individual contributes to the organization’s carbon footprint? Will we finally see the necessary reduction of energy consumption in buildings reach 30, 40, 50 percent or maybe more? Can we imagine that building users can personalize their space by using a phone or personal laptop? And so forth. And the answer to all these questions is a big ‘yes’.

So, now we’re taking building ‘automation’ to the next level, but I don’t think we should be totally satisfied. Not quite yet anyway. After all, it’s not building ‘automation’ the UK needs, but total building ‘transformation’ that we should be searching for. How is the technology going to impact  on how we perceive and use our homes and commercial properties? It’s about the ability to create and deliver new services and business models to those that own, operate and occupy our buildings. We now have the ability to design and use our buildings as if it were an iPhone. Highly aesthetic, combining form and function of the highest standards, while providing a platform over which new and exciting services can be delivered. Smart and connected buildings provide us with ways to program and configure spaces differently, in order to meet the ever changing requirements and demands of its users.

Examples of what this may mean to buildings are all around us. With social networking becoming the fastest growing (and largest) source of internet traffic today, and the increasing popularity of tweets, blogs and video posts, it won’t be much of a surprise that the way we work, live, learn and play has permanently evolved. Our next generation tenants and employees will not accept working in stuffy call centre cubicles. Collaboration and communication has been re-defined, and video and mobility are some of the key driving factors. Why do I need a workspace if I can appear virtually at any location? Why do we need a spacious lobby area (on every floor of a commercial office tower) outfitted with expensive fixtures and fittings, if we can bring hosted services over a HD video and still provide a sort of life-like experience? If mobility is everywhere, will the boundaries of our physical office environments blur? Can I work from home, on a business trip or from the coffee shop? How is this going to impact how we provide for office space?

Have you paid attention lately to how your children use communication devices to maintain their friendships, do their homework and find entertainment? (SMS, phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube). This is what HR departments and business leaders should be paying attention to. This is the audience they will need to attract in say 10 years or so. The definition of ‘workplace’ is changing and new workers are expecting change. These changes will have an impact on our buildings and communities. Flexibility, connectivity, communications and interoperability will be key to these trends. And the IP network will be the architectural platform that enables all of this to happen.

All that said, it is also true that we need to walk before we can run. We need to focus on the low hanging fruit and address the basic decisions that need to be made every day for new construction, retrofit and upgrade projects. Through our work with Integrators in the field we have found it useful to group system decisions into categories such as essential systems, ROI-based systems and brand or experience systems.

  • Essential: Look at the essential system’s controls and ensure they are the latest version offered by the manufacturer and insist on open protocols a la KNX. This provides the most flexibility for future enhancements, expansion and interoperability. Additionally, make use of the IT backbone infrastructure to connect the system’s controllers to their management servers. This will provide greater reliability inside the building and more importantly increased security for systems that offer remote access, not to mention elimination of unnecessary overlap of conduit, cabling, switching and other components. Modern, open systems built around a backbone infrastructure cost no more than the traditional silo approach.
  • Return on Investment: Evaluate the growing number of systems that might not be considered essential but can offer a compelling return on investment such as intelligent lighting, daylight harvesting, demand response, fault detection, integrated parking and others. This category makes use of the latest technologies and offers significant financial and operational efficiencies.
  • Experience: Experience or brand support systems can be very important but are more discretionary in nature and might include digital signage for messaging, way finding and multi-media, ambient music, selected wireless services, accent lighting etc.

Now the basic technologies and infrastructure are in place for lower Capital Expenditure and Operating Costs (helping us all to save money in operations and energy), it’s time to explore the unexplored. Let the total transformation of the UK’s buildings begin I say!

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Energy Harvesting, Wireless and Next Generation Energy ...

March 9th, 2010
EnOcean Logo

 

Bottomless power generation comes from ambient sources such as linear motion, light and temperature differentials. Wires run through buildings like veins run through our bodies. Wires are pervasive and vital to day-to-day operations; however, today’s brave new ‘green’ world warrants consideration for solutions that reach beyond the confines of wires. As one decade comes to a close, EnOcean asserts that the next decade will feature wireless and batteryless controls that will carry building energy initiatives where wires fall short.

Widespread Smart Building integration has been stalled by installation costs and ominous tasks such as pulling wires through walls and ceilings. Battery-dependent wireless solutions can overcome some installation barriers, but the market has indicated it will not tolerate the maintenance issues tied to them. If the goal is to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, then integrators need non-invasive installation means and payback data that tips the scale in favor of spending the money to modernize existing buildings. Now that more than 100,000 buildings have been fitted with EnOcean-based products and energy reductions are in the books, a case is being made that wireless energy harvesting controls provide a radically easy form of Smart Building integration.

The Power of Unused Energy

The hallmark of the EnOcean wireless standard is batteryless and wireless communications. The technology stems from a simple observation – where sensors capture measured values, the energy state is constantly changing. For example, when a switch is pressed; temperatures and luminance levels change. These rudimentary operations generate enough energy to transmit radio signals that automate lighting and HVAC control. Instead of batteries or line power, EnOcean uses miniaturized energy converters and capacitors that power sensors and switches. EnOcean’s bottomless power generation comes from ambient sources such as linear motion, light and temperature differentials.

Energy harvesting enables the generation of radio signals from extremely small amounts of energy. Using just 50 micro watts of harvested power, an EnOcean-based control can transmit a radio signal 1,000 feet (150 feet is typically indoors – through walls and ceilings). An important part of the patented secret is using short signal durations – the entire radio transmission process starts, executes and completes in less than one thousandth of a second.

3rd Generation Wireless Energy Harvesting

EnOcean recently released its 3rd generation suite of energy harvesting wireless modules. The modules are based upon the Dolphin ASIC, the world’s first platform that supports self-powered two-way wireless communications, ultra low power sleep modes and the ability to self-power actuators such as water valves and air vents. Wireless building automation devices spend much of their time asleep; so EnOcean engineered the lowest sleep current in the industry (200 nA). Dolphin-based modules consume approximately 1/10th the power of common low power radio modules. The platform allows OEMs to create energy-autonomous controls that are able to draw power from multiple ambient sources, such as solar, linear motion and thermal energies.

EnOcean modules are often referred to as ‘application modules’ and these modules ship out-of-the-box with extensive firmware functionalities built-in – such as basic switching, dimming, measuring, etc. – and can go straight into an application without additional programming. EnOcean developed highly efficient methods of synchronizing sensors, supporting RF acknowledgments as well as integrated sensing/control functions. Application-specific functions reduce product development times and are embedded in each module; however, integrators can now also develop their own firmware using EnOcean’s new Dolphin Studio – support software for custom firmware development, RF packet monitoring and C-based code sampling.

The new Dolphin platform conforms to the open, interoperable EnOcean Alliance protocol and enables manufacturers to rapidly develop solutions to suit today’s ‘green’ economy. EnOcean’s Dolphin system architecture is also backward compatible with earlier EnOcean products and installations. In addition to the introduction of new platform, the company has also further enhanced wireless capabilities with remote commissioning and wireless routing creating new opportunities previously not possible with energy harvesting. Dolphin-based radio modules are now available direct from EnOcean or through and its distribution channels.

HVAC Energy Management

Radio waves are in the thick of the race to make buildings more energy efficient. Integrators can reduce installation costs and recoup those installations costs via energy usage reductions over time. Older buildings are often guilty of wasting giant sums of power. The Government estimates that 80% of buildings constructed prior to 1980 are energy-inefficient and do not house and Smart Building Technology. Additionally, older buildings often have little or inadequate insulation.

Speedy Implementation

Entire installation can be carried out with minimum interruption – Virtually impossible to achieve using a cabled solution because of the need to break open walls (duct work and cabling). Implementation of the system in even a large office complex can take just one week — including installation of the central control engineering to monitor and govern energy consumption. The biggest challenge is the right positioning of the room sensors because you’re dealing with thick walls made of concrete and steel. However, choosing EnOcean’s self-powered wireless technology can save up to 20 percent in installation costs alone and significant energy savings.

Lighting Energy Management

Buildings account for 38% of this country’s CO2 emission and lighting accounts for 40% of the energy consumed by buildings. Buildings therefore present an important place to start improving energy management via things like occupancy-based lighting control systems. Occupancy Sensors have been identified as the primary means for conserving energy.

Installation

Because the controls do not require wiring or batteries, installation can be completed in just three steps.

  1. Replace existing light switches with line-powered receiver light switches (wiring is the same as a standard switch).
  2. Program the light switch receiver to respond to occupancy sensor and self-powered light switch. The devices are factory set to manual-ON, auto-OFF (custom to suit California Title 24) – no extra setup was necessary; however, an “auto-ON, auto-OFF” mode is also supported.
  3. Mount sensors and light switch – anywhere! Since they are self-powered and wireless, the controls were mounted according to building owner preferences.

The EnOcean Alliance

More than 120 automation solution manufacturers formed the EnOcean Alliance to promote sustainable buildings via batteryless and wireless controls. The Alliance is committed to interoperability through 1 wireless standard. Collectively, Alliance members have manufactured 300+ building automation products that are on the shelf today – more than any other wireless standard.

Interoperability is an important key to the Alliance’s success:

  • Between Products – All EnOcean-based sensors and switches are interoperable – regardless of the manufacturer. For example, an occupancy sensor manufactured by Vendor A can communicate to a controller manufactured by Vendor Z.
  • Between Applications – EnOcean-based solutions support multiple applications (ie. a single wireless light switch can communicate to lighting systems as well as HVAC systems).
  • As Gateways & Interfaces (LonMark, BACnet, DMX, 802.11, TCP/IP Ethernet, KNX, RS-232/485 Serial, etc.)

To find out more, please visit http://www.enocean-alliance.org.

 

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Ding Ding… KNX takes on all comers!

March 9th, 2010

After stumbling across a discussion thread on AV Forum that discussed the merits of various lighting/smart home control solutions, in response to a question on who’s the best in terms of cost a technical features/benefits, I thought I should look into this a little deeper.

OK, at Ivory Egg we could be viewed as a little KNX or DALI biased, so I promise to be as objective as possible and open to feedback here. At the end of the day we are independent, simply want to deliver the best solutions to our clients and I would hope this article, at the very least, will stimulate some form of debate. You can view the complete thread at AV Forums.

So, in terms of the players (at least who I perceive to be the market ‘leaders’ in this field), and again you may disagree with my selection, I have decided to look at the following solutions. This selection is based purely on the names I come across on a weekly basis:

  • KNX
    KNX is a standardised (EN 50090,ISO/IEC 14543), OSI-based network communications protocol for intelligent buildings. KNX is the successor to, and convergence of, three previous standards: the European Home Systems Protocol (EHS), BatiBUS, and the European Installation Bus (EIB or Instabus).
  • Crestron
    Crestron is the world’s leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems. They offer integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, IP and environmental systems, and streamline technology to improve the quality of life for people in corporate boardrooms, conference rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, and in their homes.
  • Lutron
    Lutron Electronics Company, Inc. is a privately held corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells lighting control systems and a variety of other related products. Its probably fair to say that Lutron lead the way in lighting control systems.
  • Rako
    Rako provide state of the art digital dimming technology. Their innovative solutions meet the needs of a diverse range of applications by offering lighting systems that are simple to use, creative, easily installed and cost effective.
  • DALI
    The Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) is a digital protocol for the controlling of lighting in buildings, such as electrical ballasts and dimmers.
  • INSTEON
    INSTEON technology is a dual-band mesh topology employing AC-power lines and a radio-frequency (RF) protocol to communicate with and automate home electronic devices and appliances, which normally work independently. It is a home automation networking technology invented by SmartLabs, Inc., and was developed based on the X10 model for control and sensing applications in the home.

Not everybody active in this field, but a good starting point? Unfortunatley though, we have a bit of a problem when trying to compare these so-called competitors, as basically what we’re dealing with is a mix of different standards, manufactures and solutions that are all competing against each other. I would love to be in position to just compare like for like and publish the pros and cons of each, answer the questions in places such as AV Forum, but that would not provide a true representation of each solution (I hope I’m not stating the obvious here)…

For example, it makes sense on some projects to have a mix of KNX and DALI. As DALI is an open protocol for lighting control mainly in commercial buildings, while the growth area in KNX is for residential and LED. Take Heathrow Terminal 5, which has a KNX backbone with switches/PIRs etc and a gateway to DALI for the lighting. KNX can’t compete with DALI, as the DALI is fitted to the ballasts that control the lighting and sit in the actual light fitting. They are complimentary systems and we approach it from that point of view as we sell KNX/EIB DALI gateways at Ivory Egg.

In terms of KNX vs. some of the other systems, well Lutron is bar far the market leader in terms of pure lighting control. Rako on the other hand sell purely wireless lighting controls and they are great for DIY/retro-fit. As for INSTEON, which is again a wireless control technology, they currently have no European devices so it doesn’t really complete with KNX and is more of a competitor to the likes of Z-wave and EnOcean (which is another blog altogether). And finally  we have Crestron, who supply more AV & generic device control solutions.

It is worth pointing out that Crestron do provide a complete AV, lighting and control solution. It does it by controlling different devices from multiple manufactures and a wide range of different protocols via a central controller. From a consumer point of view Crestron is “Interface Centric” via tablet and in wall touch screens. This hides the complexity of using Lutron for lighting, X manufacturer for heating and Z for multi room audio. It is an expensive route to take, but on the positive side it is highly configurable.

KNX is standard based and developed from a consumer point of view. It is switch centric, in other words it is a compact and stylish intelligent switch on the wall that can easily control the ‘functions’ in a room (HVAC, lighting, blinds etc). KNX has 1,000s of products that are certified to work together, but this is not the case with Creston. That said most consumers wouldn’t know the difference, as most simply go on look and feel, and that is where market leaders such as Basalte and Gira score highly. Their products are innovative, look fantastic on the wall and at Ivory Egg we can supply a whole host of fittings for 13amp sockets that will coordinate with the wall switches. And to be fair, this is what the architects are demanding!

So difficult to draw conclusions really. I guess the big question I’ve not really answered is what are they main differences between Lutron and KNX? As Lutron is a central processor based with proprietary technology and KNX is a component/manufacturer open standard, does that mean the KNX open standard is the lowest common denominator (as claimed by Lutron) or does that mean you get vastly increased flexibility (as claimed by KNX)? Is Lutron only lighting control – on/off/dim or is it full integration. If KNX gives you full integration, then why would you even consider Lutron? All very valid questions…

Yes, KNX provides a holistic approach to efficient energy usage. It is not limited to lighting or heating or metering or appliances or AV or any other specific function for that matter. The KNX platform has been adopted by many highly respected major manufacturers with their vast choice of products covering all these product lines. In the longer term, this is also important to building owners, as any installation is future proofed for any changes/upgrades that could be needed. As KNX covers such a diversity of applications using one standard, it means cabling networks can be much more simplistic and single twisted pair cabling can often suffice, with multiple elements all operating together on a single network. As I’ve already mentioned briefly with DALI, a number of the KNX manufacturers have also developed ‘gateways’ to other control protocols. These simple devices are used to expand the capability of KNX control systems to provide the complete solution for a building.

KNX has also worked closely with management-level protocols such as BACnet to enable a close co-operation between these two standards when the project requires additional integration. Every KNX-compliant piece of equipment is 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. Therefore there is total confidence in reliability and interoperability, whatever KNX devices are chosen. In the UK we have a growing network of integrators who have joined KNX UK to share their experiences and to help promote the standard. They can also assist consultants as well as building owners in achieving the optimum solution for their building and with KNX also accepted throughout the world (and with partnership agreements with more than 30.000 partners in more than 75 countries worldwide) from China to the United States as well as Australia and the Middle East, it truly is a worldwide standard.

Lutron on the other hand is recognised as the leading brand in terms of pure lighting control, and rightly so… It has many advantages and is easy to install, retrofitable and extremely reliable. Their systems are a proven, extensively implemented technology that offers 2-way communication, is scene capable and can dim any type of dimmable lighting. All this is backed by an industry leading company with a very long history and their systems are available in a large number of styles and finishes, all backed with a 7 year warrantee. Plus they too can integrate window/shade controls and offer relatively easy intregration with Crestron and other control systems. However, while I find it hard to criticize KNX (and again, I can hold my hands up and say yes we’re a little biased), to me there are some obvious disadvantages to Lutron. For one it only controls up to 32 lights (expandable to 64). Then there is the fact it has no dedicated processor, so it relies on an automation processor. In other words if this processor fails, then I’m afraid you have to manually override or you have no lights at all. However, the ‘biggie’  (in my experience anyway) is that expansion always seems more complicated than it needs to be and is certainly more expensive than with KNX products.

The choice of lighting control is a wide one one I’m afraid, the above is only our humble opinion.  To be honest, what you really need to do is decide what functionality you want and then see what systems can support your needs. Its important you select an installer that can advise you on the systems that you’re interested in. Price is always important, but do not make it the main point, and you need to always be thinking about upgrades/adding to the system in the future. Also think about who can you get to do changes and tweaks to the lighting control system (these things are never right first time and commercial clients and their staff especially can be very demanding)?Does the control system intergrate with other manurfacturers you may be using and don’t be afraid to ask for them to show you existing installations they’ve completed that are using the products you’re interested in. KNX is certainly the logical choice to me in terms of flexibility and meeting demand, especially if you need to integrate other systems such as heating, blinds, AV etc, but always keep an open mind and one eye on what each of these systems can deliver.

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Pronto 2 Crestron Adagio® Script – Easy, Fast and ...

March 8th, 2010

Empure recently presented the brand new Pronto 2 Crestron Adagio® Script, which allows you to easily integrate an unlimited number of Philips Pronto Touchpanels and Crestron Multi-Zone Amplifiers out of the Adagio family (AES and/or AAE and their International models AESI and/or AAEI).

Their fully bi-directional script allows easy control of each individual zones or dynamic group control with up to five user programmable group scenarios. Each zone has individual sound control (Bass/Treble, Loudness On/Off, Start/Max. Volume and Balance) which is stored within the Adagio® system and remains stored even after a loss of power. Furthermore, iPhone/iPod touch integration is also already built in and works with the free Crestron App available in the Apple App-Store.

There’s no need to program the Crestron system in any way since a pre-programmed macro is installed on the Crestron Adagio® system and ALL of the programming can be done in real-time on any Pronto. Estimated set-up time for a standard 6-zone system is less than 1 hour, which is quite remarkable! A 36 zone system can be programmed within 2-3 hours! That’s why they call it Easy and Fast then! All of their communication is solely via Ethernet and allows multiple users to access the Adagio® system simultaneously, with full bi-directional feed-back on ALL devices (even the iPhone/iPod touch!).

Full KNX/EIB integration is also included (although additional hardware is needed)… All you need is the empure KNiX-Port or iKNiX-Port and you can control each zone bi-directionally with any KNX/EIB switch. Supported controls are: Zone On/Off, Volume Up/Down, Source Selection. If the KNX/EIB switch has a display, real-time messages can also be displayed.

Key Features

  • Unlimited Crestron Adagio® Zones
  • Unlimited Philips Pronto Panels (TSU9600 and/or TSU9800)
  • Unlimited iPhone/iPod touch integration
  • Fully bi-directional
  • KNX/EIB integration – Zone Control
  • Full featured Zone control
  • Dynamic Group control for up to 5 Groups (user defined presets)
  • NO CRESTRON PORGRAMMING NEEDED, everything programmed on any Pronto
  • EASY and FAST integration guaranteed!

About Crestron Adagio®

Adagio® is a simple to use, easy to install and affordable home entertainment system. Imagine the entire family’s media – CDs, MP3s, satellite radio, DVDs – all brought together in a single system. Adagio is a stand-alone Crestron solution that can be set up in just minutes. Simply take Adagio out of the box, plug it in, and turn your living room into a state-of-the-art home theater-or listen to music throughout the house. Adagio is priced to fit every budget and can easily grow with any family. Need more rooms? Easy. Adagio automatically adds the new rooms for you. Remember when listening to music and watching TV was simple? It can be with Adagio. To find out more, please visit Crestron.com.

 

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The New Gira Esprit Switch Range

March 8th, 2010

Exciting Accents for Demanding Architecture - The Gira Esprit switch range with glass, aluminium, wood and refined metal frame variants already offers you a highly diverse selection of materials.

Gira has recently expanded their range of glass Esprit frames with an additional design known as glass C. The soft edges and rounded corners of glass C offer a new alternative in the otherwise clearly-cut and linear switch range. The edges of the 6 mm thick glass frame are ground to a semi-circular form with the so-called ‘C grinding process’.

Gira has also added a black glass to the frame variants that corresponds perfectly with the architectural, linear design of the switch and lends Gira Esprit its particularly elegant character. The high-gloss surface of black glass has a distinctive depth and achieves an optical perfection that cannot be achieved with any other material or any other colour. The glossy black surface gives Gira Esprit an expressive presence that nevertheless blends unobtrusively into the surroundings. The range is especially well-suited for use within architecture with a high aesthetic claim, for example with open masonry, exposed concrete and glass. But also in combination with natural materials such as wood and natural stone or on brighter surfaces the black switches of Gira can create an exciting accent.

The switch inserts and covers are in aluminium, which further emphasise the impression of modern functionalism, harmonizing perfectly with the cover frame of black glass. Inserts and covers are also available in anthracite as well as matt pure white and glossy pure white. More than 230 functions from System 55 can be combined with the Gira Esprit cover frame, including Gira’s door communication system.

Dimensions

(in mm)

Frame Height Width Depth
1-gang 95 95 9.85
2-gang 166 95 9.85
3-gang 236.8 95 9.85
4-gang 308 95 9.85

About Gira

Gira places great value on product design. Through intensive cooperation with external and in-house design teams, Gira develop products, which are repeatedly recognized for their exceptional and simple design.

The modern electrical installation from Gira offers a broad range of intelligent building technology for convenience and security. Devices for networking home technology, music control for all rooms and comprehensive switch ranges, plus numerous functions for door communication, energy and light outdoors – and it all fits together. All functions and devices can be easily combined, and the uniform design lines always offer the right cover frame for every purpose.

The GiraShop.co.uk supplies the complete range of products that are currently available in the English language catalogue.

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EnOcean Alliance and BACnet to develop Interoperability ...

February 8th, 2010

BACnet International and the EnOcean Alliance, an international consortium of 130 companies from the building sector, recently announced its cooperation with BACnet’s Wireless Networking-Working Group (WN-WG) to develop a vendor independent gateway specification for integrating EnOcean-based wireless energy-harvesting nodes into the world’s leading data communications protocol for building automation and control. As the only wireless standard offering self-powered operation, EnOcean technology requires neither batteries nor maintenance, thus opening the floodgates to wide-scale deployment of wireless sensing-solutions in commercial buildings, including BACnet-based building automation systems.

Recent meetings between the two organizations have opened the door to the full integration of wireless EnOcean and wired BACnet-enabled technologies, with the result that an EnOcean interoperability proposal has been drafted for the BACnet committee meeting at AHR Expo in Orlando, Florida. BACnet – a data communication protocol for building automation and control networks is defined in the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135 – 2008 and also the international standard ISO 16484-5.

The working group’s current standardization efforts aim to ensure the interoperability of multiple EnOcean and BACnet solutions available today or in development, as well as future implementations. “The task at hand is to define common implementation rules for an EnOcean/BACnet gateway,” said Dave Robin, Chairman of the BACnet Technical Working Group. “This will entail a number of issues, including specifying the network topology and the BACnet/EnOcean objectives needed to define a single model so that all implementations will be interoperable.”

As the organization responsible for promoting the use of BACnet technologies for building automation, BACnet International sees this as a significant achievement. “The world has evolved towards a wired and wireless infrastructure, and it is a significant step to bridge these together with a standard mechanism for building automation suppliers and users,” said Andy McMillan, President of BACnet International and President/CEO of Teletrol Systems. He added, “In the IT world, wired and wireless interoperability has long since been accomplished. I am very happy to be involved in the effort to make this available for the building automation industry.”

Leveraging the strengths of both technologies will create long-term value by allowing the existing wired BACnet infrastructure to seamlessly add wireless devices for additional functionality and greater energy savings. “As a practical, wireless extension of BACnet solutions, EnOcean technology is ideal for lowering cost of ownership in retrofits and new buildings,” said Graham Martin, Chairman and CEO of EnOcean Alliance. “As a field-proven solution for the BACnet environment, many facilities have already successfully deployed wireless solutions in which EnOcean and BACnet technologies are interoperating to reduce installation and maintenance costs, along with providing energy savings beyond 30 percent.”

A number of EnOcean Alliance partners will be exhibiting a range of interoperable EnOcean wireless devices for the BACnet platform at AHR Expo (Orlando, FL, Jan 25-27), including Distech Controls, winner of an AHR Honorary Mention Award for this platform.

About ASHRAE

Founded in 1894, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) is a nonprofit technical organization whose 51,000 members influence the direction of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) technology by creating industry standards and recommended procedures and guidelines, developing research and writing technical information.

For the latest information, visit: ashrae.org.

About BACnet

Developed under the auspices of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), BACnet is an ASHRAE, ANSI and ISO data communications protocol for building automation and control networks. Tracing its development back to 1987, the BACnet protocol allows heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, lighting, security, fire detection and other building automation and control systems to communicate and exchange information, regardless of service performed.

For the latest information, visit: bacnet.org.

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs, and promotional activities. The BACnet standard was developed by ASHRAE and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing installation, commissioning, and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication.

For more information, please visit bacnetinternational.org.

About the EnOcean Alliance

EnOcean Alliance, a consortium of currently 130 international corporations, shares the common goal of standardizing wireless control systems for sustainable building applications. The core technology of the Alliance centers around EnOcean’s patented energy harvesting and radio-frequency technology offering self-powered wireless operation in the form of flexibly positioned, maintenance-free sensor solutions. The goal of the EnOcean Alliance is to standardize and internationalize EnOcean wireless technology through the creation of true interoperability between all products produced by the Alliance’s OEM partners. EnOcean Alliance is a California 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation headquartered in San Ramon, CA.

For more information, please visit enocean-alliance.org.

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Niko’s Mysterious – No longer a mystery!

February 1st, 2010

Not a product we currently sell, but a very interesting one all the same, so I thought we needed a quick ‘blog’ on this one… The leading Belgian lighting and home automation manufacturer, Niko (which I beleive celebrates its 90th anniversary this year) has just received the ‘Exceptional and innovative design’ from ‘red dot’. Easily the world’s biggest and most distinguished design competition, the Red Dot Design award is only granted to exceptionally creative, innovative and high-quality products.

Niko has been developing switching ranges for decades. With a hard-earned reputation for innovation, the company has continued in this tradition with the introduction of a revolutionary new concept in switches – the truly invisible switch. The imaginatively named ‘Mysterious’ range from Niko goes beyond traditional switches and socket outlets. With Mysterious, Niko takes the first step towards imagining life without any of the ‘traditional’ switching material.

Mysterious is a range of switches and sockets with an elegant and simple design that can be seamlessly integrated into any wall. When fitted, the switch can then be papered over painted like the wall so that only an incredibly discreet round edge remains visible. In the dark this outer edge lights up with the warm white glow of an LED that is incorporated into the switch. Mysterious simply adapts itself to the colour of the wall, just like a chameleon.

The switch is multi-functional, with its programme comprising push-buttons with one to four key points, sockets for data/TV connection boxes, and orientation lighting. The design is inspired to allow functionality into carefully designed interiors without detracting from the look of the room. Its an Architects/Interior Designer dream… No more ugly switches ruining their clean design aesthetic.

With more than 11,000 submissions from 61 countries, the international red dot design award is the largest and most renowned design competition in the world. It is divided into the red dot award: product design, the red dot award: communication design and the red dot award: design concept. Niko’s Mysterious was awarded the prestigious red dot award: product design.

Each year an international jury reviews and evaluates the submitted products according to criteria such as degree of innovation, functionality and the formal quality. This ensures the seriousness of the competition and its international acceptance. The group of jurors is made up of renowned designers and design experts from all over the world who reach their decisions on which designs are good enough to receive a red dot award independently and impartially. The constellation changes from year to year and guarantees a high degree of objectivity and reliability.

The award is as a seal of quality; it stands for membership of the best in design and business. After 90 years, its good to see that Niko continues to play at the top of its game and to lead the field.

For more information about Niko’s award-winning Mysterious range – and the rest of its impressive line-up of home automation and lighting solutions, visit: nikouk.com or telephone Niko UK direct 01525 877707

For more information about the red dot awards, please visit red-dot.de.

 

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Gira’s instabus KNX flush-mounted actuators

February 1st, 2010

Now included in the family of Gira flush-mounted actuators are switching actuators, a universal dimming actuator and in terms of ‘recently launched’ products; a window actuator, a blind actuator and a heating actuator.

Flush-mounted actuators are used with decentral KNX/EIB installations or in KNX/EIB compound installations (DRA, flush-mounted). They are allotted space in flush-mounted boxes or in cable conduits and utilise the existing power cables. In this way cable material is saved and fire load in buildings is significantly reduced.

Existing installations can be expanded more simply to KNX/EIB with flush-mounted actuators – in addition to the existing 230 V supply – only a bus line is required for operation of the actuators.

Zero-voltage contacts can be connected to the binary inputs and they can carry out various functions independently of one another or as a ‘block’. The functions of the binary inputs are identical for all actuators, other attributes however are configured at the factory in order to make the operation possible without the need for programming.

The flush-mounted actuator is connected to the 230 V supply via a flexible cable, approx. 20 cm in length. The connection of the binary inputs and the KNX/EIB is made via a 6-wire connection cable, approx. 30 cm in length. This can be extended to a maximum of 5 m.

Two auxiliary unit inputs (or three inputs with window actuators, blind actuators and heating actuators) are for on-site operation via conventional switches or buttons, or can be freely used as binary inputs for zero-voltage contacts (with applied bus voltage).

Window actuator

The window actuator combines a blind actuator with a heating actuator. It has three binary inputs with which in delivery state the connected blind or shutter can be controlled.

Functions of inputs

Functions of switching inputs: two independent switching objects for each input present and can be enabled individually, command for rising or falling edge can be set independently (ON, OFF, CHANGE, no reaction).

Dimming: Single and double-surface operation, time between dimming and switching and dim-step size can be set, telegram repetition and stop-telegram transmission possible blind: Command can be set with rising edge (no function, UP, DOWN, CHANGE), operating concept can be configured (Step – Move – Step or Move – Step), time between step and moving mode can be set, slat adjustment time can be set.

Value transmitter and light scene auxiliary unit: Edge (push button as NO contact, push button as NC contact, switch) and value with edge can be configured, value adjustment with push button by pressing and holding button for value transmitters possible, light scene auxiliary unit with memory function and saving of the scene without previously calling up is possible.

  • Blocker for blocking individual inputs
  • Behaviour when the bus voltage returns can be configured separately for each input
  • Telegram rate limiting

Blind output

  • Behaviour after bus voltage failure and return can be set
  • Separately parameterisable movement times with movement time extension for movements into the upper end position
  • Feedback of the curtain position or slat position – Active or passive (object can be read out) cyclical feedback functions
  • Feedback can be delayed until after the return of bus voltage
  • Assignments to up to 5 different safety functions (3 wind alarms, 1 rain alarm, 1 frost alarm), or with cyclical monitoring
  • Forced setting function can be realised for each blind output
  • Solar protection function with fixed and variable curtain or slat positions can be activated
  • Inclusion in scenes possible, maximum of 8 internal scenes can be parameterised per channel
  • Memory function for light scenes

Heating output

  • Output controllable with a corrected variable (1 bit or 1 byte)
  • Status feedback (1bit or 1byte) automatically or on read request
  • Valve control (open/closed while deenergised) can be configured
  • Summer or winter operation can be selected via an object
  • Cyclical monitoring of the corrected variable; if a corrected variable telegram remains off within a monitoring period, the output switches into emergency mode and an alarm message is sent
  • The output can be locked in a forced position, and different values are possible for summer and winter operation
  • Behaviour when the bus voltage returns and fails can be configured separately for each output
  • Overload or short-circuit message via an object can be set
  • Control of valve drives with switching operation or PWM operation
  • Protective function for locked valve

Technical data

  • Rated voltage: AC 230 V/50 Hz
  • Connected load of blind output: switching current AC1: 3 A, motors: 600 VA
  • Connected load of heating output: contact type: Triac, switching current 5 to 25 mA, drives per output: max. 2
  • Number of inputs: 3
  • Protection type: IP 20
  • Temperature range: – 5 °C to + 45 °C
  • Dimensions: 51 × 48 × 28 mm (L × B × H)
  • Load line connection: with enclosed spring plug-in terminal
  • Installation: flush-mounted wall box (Gira recommend the electronics box from Kaiser)

Installation

The actuators are installed flush-mounted in a wall box (electronics box from Kaiser recommended). Sufficient insulation must be provided between the 230 V cable and the bus or auxiliary units. The minimal distance between bus/auxiliary unit wires and 230 V wires is 4 mm.

Heating actuator

The heating actuator is used for switching electrothermic valve drives for heating systems. It has two binary inputs to which zero-voltage contacts can be connected for monitoring of a window contact for example.

Functions of inputs

Functions of switching inputs: two independent switching objects for each input present and can be enabled individually, command for rising or falling edge can be set independently (ON, OFF, CHANGE, no reaction).

Dimming: Single and double-surface operation, time between dimming and switching and dim-step size can be set, telegram repetition and stop-telegram transmission possible blind: Command can be set with rising edge (no function, UP, DOWN, CHANGE), operating concept can be configured (Step – Move – Step or Move – Step), time between step and moving mode can be set, slat adjustment time can be set.

Value transmitter and light scene auxiliary unit: Edge (push button as NO contact, push button as NC contact, switch) and value with edge can be configured, value adjustment with push button by pressing and holding button for value transmitters possible, light scene auxiliary unit with memory function and saving of the scene without previously calling up is possible.

  • Blocker for blocking individual inputs
  • Behaviour when the bus voltage returns can be configured separately for each input
  • Telegram rate limiting

Heating output

  • Output controllable with a corrected variable (1 bit or 1 byte)
  • Status feedback (1bit or 1byte) automatically or on read request
  • Valve control (open/closed while deenergised) can be configured
  • Summer or winter operation can be selected via an object
  • Cyclical monitoring of the corrected variable; if a corrected variable telegram remains off within a monitoring period, the output switches into emergency mode and an alarm message is sent
  • The output can be locked in a forced position, and different values are possible for summer and winter operation
  • Behaviour when the bus voltage returns and fails can be configured separately for each output
  • Overload or short-circuit message via an object can be set
  • Control of valve drives with switching operation or PWM operation
  • Protective function for locked valve

Technical data

  • Rated voltage: AC 230 V/50/60 Hz
  • Connected load of heating output: contact type: Triac, switching current 5 to 25 mA, drives per output: max. 2
  • Number of inputs: 3
  • Protection type: IP 20
  • Temperature range: – 5 °C to + 45 °C
  • Dimensions: 51 × 48 × 28 mm (L × B × H)

Installation

The actuators are installed flush-mounted in a wall box (electronics box from Kaiser recommended). Sufficient insulation must be provided between the 230 V cable and the bus or auxiliary units. The minimal distance between bus/auxiliary unit wires and 230 V wires is 4 mm.

Blind actuator

The blind actuator controls blinds, shutters and awnings and has two inputs factory-assigned to the blind actuator.

Functions of inputs

Functions of switching inputs: two independent switching objects for each input present and can be enabled individually, command for rising or falling edge can be set independently (ON, OFF, CHANGE, no reaction).

Dimming: Single and double-surface operation, time between dimming and switching and dim-step size can be set, telegram repetition and stop-telegram transmission possible blind: Command can be set with rising edge (no function, UP, DOWN, CHANGE), operating concept can be configured (Step – Move – Step or Move – Step), time between step and moving mode can be set, slat adjustment time can be set.

Value transmitter and light scene auxiliary unit: Edge (push button as NO contact, push button as NC contact, switch) and value with edge can be configured, value adjustment with push button by pressing and holding button for value transmitters possible, light scene auxiliary unit with memory function and saving of the scene without previously calling up is possible.

  • Blocker for blocking individual inputs
  • Behaviour when the bus voltage returns can be configured separately for each input
  • Telegram rate limiting

Output functions

  • Behaviour after bus voltage failure and return can be set
  • Separately parameterisable movement times with movement time extension for movements into the upper end position
  • Feedback of the curtain position or slat position, active or passive (object can be read out) cyclical feedback functions
  • Feedback can be delayed until after the return of bus voltage
  • Assignments to up to 5 different safety functions (3 wind alarms, 1 rain alarm, 1 frost alarm), or with cyclical monitoring
  • Forced setting function
  • Solar protection function with fixed and variable curtain or slat positions can be activated
  • Inclusion in scenes possible, maximum of 8 internal scenes can be parameterised per channel
  • Memory function for light scenes

Technical data

  • Rated voltage: AC 230 V/50/60 Hz
  • Connected load: motors 600 VA
  • Number of inputs: 2
  • Protection type: IP 20
  • Temperature range: – 5 °C to + 45 °C
  • Dimensions: 51 × 48 × 28 mm (L × B × H)
  • Load line connection: with enclosed spring plug-in terminal
  • Installation: flush-mounted wall box (Gira recommend the electronics box from Kaiser)

Installation

The actuators are installed flush-mounted in a wall box (electronics box from Kaiser recommended). Sufficient insulation must be provided between the 230 V cable and the bus or auxiliary units. The minimal distance between bus/auxiliary unit wires and 230 V wires is 4 mm.

About Gira

Gira places great value on product design. Through intensive cooperation with external and in-house design teams, Gira develop products, which are repeatedly recognized for their exceptional and simple design.

The modern electrical installation from Gira offers a broad range of intelligent building technology for convenience and security. Devices for networking home technology, music control for all rooms and comprehensive switch ranges, plus numerous functions for door communication, energy and light outdoors – and it all fits together. All functions and devices can be easily combined, and the uniform design lines always offer the right cover frame for every purpose.

The GiraShop.co.uk supplies the complete range of products that are currently available in the English language catalogue.

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