Re: c-bus planning on a new build - need advice

["David Gumbrell" <david.gumbrell@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi John,

You've mainly considered lighting control based around C-Bus in your
posting, but it's not clear whether this is where your HA ambitions start
o=
r
end. You may want to think about any sensor requirements, and any other
control actions (eg curtain control, remote controlled power sockets,
heating control etc), plus any CCTV / burglar alarm requirements, since
these would require some additional wall points or cabling to ceilings.
Tricky in a week, but better to get cables in now rather than later. I'm
sure a few more questions on this list will generate a wealth of advice.

I don't know that much about C-Bus, I have used the Idratek
(www.idratek.co=
m)
system, but I believe that C-Bus does have some sensors in it's range, so
you might want the pink Cat-5 cable run to various points in the ceiling,
for example. Sensor positioning can be a bit of an art, so depends on your
requirements.

You might also want to consider how to automate table/standard lamps, which
implies dedicated 3A/5A socket outlets wired back to Node-0 if they are to
be included in your automation scheme.

Although it's probably a heresy on this list :-), there are people who feel
that HA systems can actually cause problems with selling houses to
technophobes, and so you might want to consider whether your wiring scheme
should allow retrofit of dumb switches by including switch wires back to
your node-0, this obviously depends on your circumstances.

I have wired every door in my house for magnetic reed switches (aids in
presence detection algorithms), I wish I had also done this for window
contacts so that the house could save me running round checking the windows
every time I go out. I'm now too scared to make any more dents in the new
plaster to add them :-)

Cheers,

David

PS: There's always one more wire ...

On 8/29/06, John <john.hegarty@xxxxxxx > wrote:
>
>   I wonder if I can ask for some advice from the expert collective on
> this list (apologies for the length of the posting). My situation is
> as follows -
>
> After 6 months of looking for a house to buy, we found one last
> Saturday and have shook hands with the builder to secure it. It's
> just where we want to live, right size and best of all is being built
> by a local builder who is almost ready for the first fix - so I have
> a huge opportunity to get as much HA stuff in as I can afford.
>
> The builder is happy with my requirements for Cat5 and CT100
> everywhere but has not worked with C-BUS before. While I haven't seen
> C-BUS in the flesh so to speak, I read this list when I can and it
> seems to be fairly popular for lighting control which I am keen on
> having.
>
> The builder's electrician is happy to run the cables for it, but he
> won't design or specify equipment. And time is very tight =96 they
want
> to get started with the electrical install this week !
>
> So, my question to those who know c-bus well, what's the best way
> forward given my time constraints ? I see my options as =96
>
> 1) Have a go at designing the layout myself for the electrician.
> From what I have read, he needs to do the following =96
> Instead of running a lighting circuit (one of downstairs, one for
> upstairs etc) he should run separate circuits for each lighting group
> from node zero to the ceiling rose/dimmable transformer (a lighting
> group being the single light or group of lights that I want to
> control). They connect at nose zero to a number of 4/8 channel
> dimmable c-bus unit.
> He then runs some pink c-bus Cat-5 from node zero to each c-bus light
> switch point and daisy chains to the next point etc.
> At node zero it all gets connected up together with a PC Interface
> and a laptop with a serial port. The electrician ensures that it's
> regs compliant and gives me a part-p.
> I then spend a long time trying to program the thing (I used to earn
> a living as a programmer but that was quite some time ago).
>
> 2) As per 1) but with corrections from the good folk of UKHA_D
>
> 3) Call one of the c-bus suppliers and ask their advice
> www.cbus-shop.co.uk ?
>
> 4) Get a paid consultant in to design and program it.
> If anyone on the list can react fast enough, or who knows someone
> that they can recommend, please let me know.
>
> All advice is welcome, positive and negative.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John.
> (in Pitstone, near Tring, Bucks).
>
>=20=20
>


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