Re: 'Installation / C-Bus / EIB / Idratek

[David Gumbrell <david.gumbrell@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Chris,

It depends on your definition of "open". The Idratek on-the-wire
protocol is
closed, so only Idratek modules on the network, but the interface at the
PCIF is documented, which means that alternative software applications are
feasible. Also, don't forget that Cortex supports the xPL protocol, which
means that integration with other things is easier/possible (depending on
your point of view) - this was quite a significant benefit in my
evaluation,
because I think there are always going to be limits on what a vendor can
support, so an extension mechanism is very useful.

The Idratek network is a "free" topology, with some maximum
distance limits,
and I understand that C-Bus and probably EIB is similar, so cabling for all
three should be possible. From your emails, I think you are speccing a new
build, so the following might not affect you, but one of the differences is
that the Idratek system includes modules that can switch mains power at the
wall-plate, making retrofit somewhat easier.

YMMV, of course !

Cheers,

Dave

On 1/22/06, Chris Hunter <cjhunter@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Danny -
>
> tbd - my short list is EIB, C-Bus, and Idratek - the first looks best,
> has an open standard, but I'm not sure it's affordable or well enough
> supported in this country (if my German was better, that would be less
> of a problem);   the second looks good, but a bit limited & does
not
> have an open standard, and again not sure it's affordable;   and the
> third looks good, limited but expanding, is not open but seems to
offer
> very good support, and is more affordable - I'll probably wire to suit
> all three (not difficult) & then decide at the last moment,
because teh
> situation with all of them is evolving quite quickly !
>
> Chris
>
>
>


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