ᐅ Smart Home Control Systems: Providers and User Experiences?

Sebastian79 schrieb:
You’re exactly the typical example of someone who hasn’t really understood KNX.

I figured a comment like that would come...

By the way, we’ve kind of drifted off-topic now, just as a side note. I’m not questioning KNX, and you don’t know my plans or where I integrate logic and sensors. It’s just that I prefer a combination with another system. Everyone is convinced about their own idea and has plenty of good reasons to use it.

I do understand KNX; the hallway example was just that—an example. With presence and motion sensors (temperature, CO2, humidity, light, sound, etc.), a lot is possible, and I have those in mind too. But of course, it depends on the spatial conditions, and for us, the hallway is a bit complicated because of the layout, without it looking… well, less than ideal. But that’s another issue.

But what do you do, for example, with the switches next to the bed in the bedroom?

Hmm, we don’t have any switches by the bed...

Uwe82 schrieb:
Of course, it also depends on the spatial environment, and for us, for example, it’s a bit difficult in the hallway due to the structure without it looking... well, bad.

Hmm, I don’t see any problem with having one ceiling detector per floor, so you don’t need any switches in the hallways... and it looks good, too... because you rarely notice those devices anymore... you simply don’t keep looking at the ceiling all the time...

If I may ask an interim question...
Where did you get your basic information from? Which websites or FAQs would you recommend?

And did you first install a basic system or wire everything properly right from the start using a bus system?

Simon_SH schrieb:
And have you first installed a basic wiring setup

This usually contradicts what is considered a “proper” installation.

But yes, if necessary, you can do it step by step... however, you need to run all the cables beforehand and plan out all the locations where you want to control something and what exactly should be controlled... well, and also the sensors.

For example, you can already prepare ceiling boxes with bus cables for presence detectors, but install the detectors later... or a weather station—you can initially just have 230V (120V) and bus cable somewhere on the roof, and later connect the weather station.

Many things, however, cannot be done afterward—for example, lights or roller shutters initially installed conventionally and later integrated via the bus system—this doesn’t work due to the completely different topologies.

All this information is freely available online or in printed publications... just search for “KNX for beginners” and you will find plenty... for Loxone, there is the manufacturer’s website and many others...

Mycraft schrieb:
Hmm, we don’t have any switches by the bed...

I find it convenient to be able to control the light(s) there for reading and then just go to sleep. The same goes for switches by the couch. It adds up quite a bit, and after calculating with the MDT system, it comes to almost €50 (about $55) per switch compared to €15 (about $16) switches.

Mycraft schrieb:
Hmm, I don’t see any problem at all with having just one ceiling sensor per floor, so you don’t need any switches in all those hallways... and it looks good too... because you hardly ever notice those things... you just don’t keep looking at the ceiling...

Ceiling sensors are difficult because of the wooden beam ceiling. Between the beams, the angle is too narrow, and I don’t want to mount anything on the beams. So only wall mounting or installing them in a switch box remains. I’m still searching for suitable options. Have you installed any that you can recommend?

Simon_SH schrieb:
If I may ask a quick question...
Where do you get your basic information from? What websites or FAQs do you recommend?

The Loxone website is very good and explains the system structure clearly. Based on that, I built a test board with various components. Early on, I replaced the regular push buttons with KNX push buttons and then got involved with the ETS software. Otherwise, I’ve read a lot in forums and blogs.

Simon_SH schrieb:
Did you first install a basic wiring setup or did you wire everything properly with the bus system from the start?

We have just started wiring the house. If you do it, you should consider everything properly from the start because switching later is almost impossible. You need to route a lot of wiring to centrally located actuators, for example for lighting, outlets, blinds, etc.

Well, my wife initially wondered how it would work without switches... then I built it this way, and now no one misses them. We have an outlet by the sofa, but a switch never made it there, and I have also considered gradually eliminating some of the existing switches since they are no longer necessary.