Interview: Sue Milne gives a fresh take on the home automation industry in the UK
Sue Milne started her career in advertising sales within the luxury marine market. She progressed into general management, and led sales and account management teams based in the UK and throughout Europe. Having worked for a large American corporation, she knew that she wanted to be in a smaller business where she could make an […]
The New KNX TP1-256 Topology: more devices and fewer line repeaters
By Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg. The KNX Association has recently announced the completion of a long-running project to update the system topology in order to make KNX even easier and simpler to use. Until now, the smallest part of the topology is a line segment with 64 devices. To expand the line, line repeaters can […]
KNX and Domestic Alarm Systems: how effective is your fire strategy?
By Simon Buddle, Future Ready Homes. Fire is without doubt one of the most devastating incidents that can befall us. The ferocity and magnitude of house fires can leave a home a decimated pile of ash. People who escape stand and watch as thousands of gallons of water are poured onto their home. By the […]
KNX Secure: the way to protect your installations
By Thomas Weinzierl, Weinzierl Engineering GmbH. Communication and data processing are hardly conceivable today without considering security aspects. In the future, insecure communication systems are unlikely to be accepted. The way has already been shown by the Internet, with the well-known http protocol from 1991 having been largely replaced by the encrypted https variant. Incidentally, […]
Opinion: manufacturers – don’t underestimate the value that distributors add!
By Julian Barkes, Bemco. The electrical industry has wrestled for a long time with the issue of trying to shorten the supply chain. The relationship between client, specifier, manufacturer, wholesaler and contractor used to be understood by everybody, but with facilities managers buying from Amazon, and margin-chasing contractors bullying manufacturers, the supply chain is getting […]
Heating: Future Technologies and KNX
By Simon Buddle, Future Ready Homes. Whether as individuals, or on a corporate level, we all need to take climate change seriously. For my part, it’s time to change the company van, so naturally I’ve been toying with the idea of getting an electric car. There are a few available now, but they seem to […]
Country Profile: KNX in Portugal
By Rui Carneiro, KNX Portugal. In Portugal, control systems have long been associated with two types of market: the luxury residential, where KNX has come to dominate; and the HVAC system management market. The latter has been based essentially on BACnet and Modbus systems, which were maintenance management systems but with major limitations in the […]
Product Article: Upgrading Existing Buildings with Wired and Wireless KNX Devices
By Thomas Weinzierl, Weinzierl Engineering GmbH. Using KNX to upgrade existing buildings may seem like a contradiction to some installers because often, it is not an option to open walls to lay bus lines. However, a detailed analysis of the existing inventory and installation can provide interesting solutions. Important installation points can, in many cases, […]
Lighting: Pros and Cons of using DALI with KNX for Homes
By Colin Price, Ivory Egg. DALI is well known as a commercial lighting control protocol that works perfectly with KNX. The question is why and how can DALI be used for residential lighting control? Addressable DALI lighting is organised in lines, or ‘universes’, of up to 64 addressable DALI ballasts. These are connected to luminaries […]
CEDIA and KNX: What are the Synergies?
By Matt Nimmons, CEDIA. As CEDIA celebrates its thirtieth birthday this year, it’s clear that the home technology integration business has changed significantly. CEDIA grew out of the home entertainment industry, driven by the consumer demand for professionally-installed and integrated cinema, TV and high-quality music systems that could be enjoyed throughout the home. CEDIA was […]