ᐅ Smart Home Control Systems: Providers and User Experiences?
Created on: 16 Jun 2015 15:07
T
tekci.mustafa
Hello dear members, I have been thinking about getting this smart home system for a while. I would like to know if any of you have something similar. What devices do you have connected, what do you control, what are your experiences, and which provider do you use? I’m not sure if it’s really necessary, but I’m a person who enjoys these kinds of gadgets. Money is not an issue for now.
For the power supply, you can start with the middle 320mA (milliamps) option, which costs 130. Since you don’t have many devices, this will be sufficient, and later you can use it for the exterior line.
To save on cable lengths and unnecessary wiring effort, I would recommend using flush-mounted (UP) interfaces instead of binary inputs. Low-voltage wiring is not allowed to be run together with 230V, so you would need separate channels or conduits for the binary inputs. However, bus cables can be run together with 230V wiring, so simply run bus cables everywhere and place a flush-mounted interface wherever the roller shutters are controlled.
Eight flush-mounted interfaces would be about 270 euros.
And why not include lighting control right from the start?
I just looked at your floor plan... there are 14 roller shutters and about 14 light points.
So my setup would be (all MDT):
Power supply 320mA - 130 €
2x Universal actuator 16-channel - 520 € (32 channels total, 28 needed for the roller shutters, leaving 4 channels for lighting)
1x Universal actuator 8-channel - 170 € (for lighting)
1x 2-channel dimmer actuator - 200 € (for lighting) (optional, you can also just have simple switching which would be a bit cheaper)
8x 2-gang flush-mounted interfaces - 270 €
4x 4-gang flush-mounted interfaces - 180 €
1x 6-gang flush-mounted interface - 60 €
EIB bus cable 200m (meters) - 60 €
Total = 1590 €
But with this setup, you wire lighting and roller shutters together in KNX from the start, so you won’t regret having to break open walls later to make the lighting bus-capable. You also save on junction boxes, and the electrician will have less work.
You don’t need a gateway because it is mainly needed for programming or later remote access. Without ETS software, you can hardly do anything anyway… so the gateway can be purchased later when needed.
The switches come from your electrician, so there is no extra cost here, possibly even a saving, since you don’t need to install switches and boxes at the windows for the roller shutters.
If you want to go a step further, you could install presence detectors in both hallways for about 90 euros each. This would allow you to save one 4-gang and one 2-gang flush-mounted interface plus the switches (79+ €), and would also increase comfort.
To save on cable lengths and unnecessary wiring effort, I would recommend using flush-mounted (UP) interfaces instead of binary inputs. Low-voltage wiring is not allowed to be run together with 230V, so you would need separate channels or conduits for the binary inputs. However, bus cables can be run together with 230V wiring, so simply run bus cables everywhere and place a flush-mounted interface wherever the roller shutters are controlled.
Eight flush-mounted interfaces would be about 270 euros.
And why not include lighting control right from the start?
I just looked at your floor plan... there are 14 roller shutters and about 14 light points.
So my setup would be (all MDT):
Power supply 320mA - 130 €
2x Universal actuator 16-channel - 520 € (32 channels total, 28 needed for the roller shutters, leaving 4 channels for lighting)
1x Universal actuator 8-channel - 170 € (for lighting)
1x 2-channel dimmer actuator - 200 € (for lighting) (optional, you can also just have simple switching which would be a bit cheaper)
8x 2-gang flush-mounted interfaces - 270 €
4x 4-gang flush-mounted interfaces - 180 €
1x 6-gang flush-mounted interface - 60 €
EIB bus cable 200m (meters) - 60 €
Total = 1590 €
But with this setup, you wire lighting and roller shutters together in KNX from the start, so you won’t regret having to break open walls later to make the lighting bus-capable. You also save on junction boxes, and the electrician will have less work.
You don’t need a gateway because it is mainly needed for programming or later remote access. Without ETS software, you can hardly do anything anyway… so the gateway can be purchased later when needed.
The switches come from your electrician, so there is no extra cost here, possibly even a saving, since you don’t need to install switches and boxes at the windows for the roller shutters.
If you want to go a step further, you could install presence detectors in both hallways for about 90 euros each. This would allow you to save one 4-gang and one 2-gang flush-mounted interface plus the switches (79+ €), and would also increase comfort.
Hey, thanks a lot! I need to think it over once more.
Why do you use universal actuators instead of shutter actuators? Is there a significant difference?
I wanted to get the gateway and then do the initial programming with ETS Lite.
By the way, a quick question: Did you create your functions using logic blocks, or are you running that through a server?
I don’t quite understand that: why do I need to install low-voltage wiring for a binary input? The bus signal from the switch goes to the binary input, from there to the actuator, and then to the shutter, right?
Why do you use universal actuators instead of shutter actuators? Is there a significant difference?
I wanted to get the gateway and then do the initial programming with ETS Lite.
By the way, a quick question: Did you create your functions using logic blocks, or are you running that through a server?
Mycraft schrieb:
To save cable lengths and avoid unnecessary wiring effort, I would rather use flush-mounted interfaces instead of a binary input. You are not allowed to lay low-voltage cables together with 230V (120V) cables, so for the binary inputs you would partly need to create separate channels in the walls, etc. Bus cables, on the other hand, can be installed together with 230V (120V) cables. So you just run bus cables everywhere and put a flush-mounted interface wherever the shutters are to be controlled.
I don’t quite understand that: why do I need to install low-voltage wiring for a binary input? The bus signal from the switch goes to the binary input, from there to the actuator, and then to the shutter, right?
Universal actuators are recommended because they help keep costs down. You basically have 4 channels remaining that can be used to control lights or power outlets. Otherwise, there isn’t really a difference. Dedicated shutter actuators are generally only suitable for controlling shutters or blinds.
Ok, the gateway works with ETS Lite... you could also do the entire installation this way, for example by creating a project for 1, 2, or 3 rooms. Although this requires more programming effort, it avoids ETS licensing fees.
All my logic runs on the intelligence embedded directly in the devices themselves; there is no separate logic server.
Regarding low voltage… how do you envision the connection between the conventional push button and the binary input?
Ok, the gateway works with ETS Lite... you could also do the entire installation this way, for example by creating a project for 1, 2, or 3 rooms. Although this requires more programming effort, it avoids ETS licensing fees.
All my logic runs on the intelligence embedded directly in the devices themselves; there is no separate logic server.
Regarding low voltage… how do you envision the connection between the conventional push button and the binary input?
A universal actuator is correct; in that case, it’s best to use a universal one, like a blind actuator. It saves a few €.
No logic server? I currently have a bit of a misunderstanding.
For example: If the actuator says “lower the roller shutter,” does the sensor (e.g., a reed switch) always have to have sent a signal, or can I also query actual status conditions? Is something like this possible in the parameter settings?
Low voltage:
I just re-read the datasheet for the binary inputs. There are versions with 230 V, 24 V, or potential-free contacts.
Ah, wait, then I would have to run an extra cable with star wiring to the roller shutters to connect it to the binary input, at least for potential-free contacts.
Which would also be necessary for possible reed contacts on the windows anyway.
Correct?
No logic server? I currently have a bit of a misunderstanding.
For example: If the actuator says “lower the roller shutter,” does the sensor (e.g., a reed switch) always have to have sent a signal, or can I also query actual status conditions? Is something like this possible in the parameter settings?
Low voltage:
I just re-read the datasheet for the binary inputs. There are versions with 230 V, 24 V, or potential-free contacts.
Ah, wait, then I would have to run an extra cable with star wiring to the roller shutters to connect it to the binary input, at least for potential-free contacts.
Which would also be necessary for possible reed contacts on the windows anyway.
Correct?
It depends on where your reed switch is connected... not all devices can query actual states, but almost all devices can send actual states cyclically... so usually, you cannot directly ask, for example, the current status of your window, but the device to which the reed switch is connected can continuously send the state on the BUS depending on the configuration... without any request.
Logic servers are really only necessary for complex logic... something like lowering shutters at dusk, raising them at sunrise, and preventing them from closing when the terrace door is open can easily be handled with the built-in functions of the actuator... partly because of this is why the devices are so expensive, as you are paying for a lot of built-in intelligence.
A switching actuator with power measurement, for example, is already a logic engine in itself, with its millions of logic and switching functions.
Yes, there are usually binary inputs that are potential-free and 230V.
For potential-free, you need two cables per switch going into the flush-mount box, and 230V from the actuator to the motor.
With 230V, it’s similar but more complicated, since you would first have to supply power to the switch and then return from there back into the flush-mount box to the actuator, and only then to the motor.
With a flush-mount interface installed on site, it’s much simpler... you only need the BUS cable at the switch and 230V from the actuator to the motor, nothing more.
Logic servers are really only necessary for complex logic... something like lowering shutters at dusk, raising them at sunrise, and preventing them from closing when the terrace door is open can easily be handled with the built-in functions of the actuator... partly because of this is why the devices are so expensive, as you are paying for a lot of built-in intelligence.
A switching actuator with power measurement, for example, is already a logic engine in itself, with its millions of logic and switching functions.
Yes, there are usually binary inputs that are potential-free and 230V.
For potential-free, you need two cables per switch going into the flush-mount box, and 230V from the actuator to the motor.
With 230V, it’s similar but more complicated, since you would first have to supply power to the switch and then return from there back into the flush-mount box to the actuator, and only then to the motor.
With a flush-mount interface installed on site, it’s much simpler... you only need the BUS cable at the switch and 230V from the actuator to the motor, nothing more.
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