Re: C-Bus / Cat5e

[Chris Hunter <cjhunter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave -

thanks ... our everywhere isn't quite the norm ... our place is very
open-plan, there are few rooms, but there are a number of key-points /
stations about the house where electric & water & whatever are to
be
focused ... so I'm hopeful it won't be too bad / difficult !

for dimming we're going for hf fluorescent with electronic ballasts -
ie: the Idratek analogue output modules will be the link

for power switching, I was thinking of using Idratek relay modules
nearby what's to be switched, rather than having an array on a DIN rail
near the CU ... I guess there could be some exceptions ... and I'm not
finally decided, yet !

'not sure about P-reg's ... as you imply, finding the right sparky ain't
going to be easy !

incidentally, your most recent update, on your project, was interesting !

Chris



David Gumbrell wrote:

> Hi Chris
>
> It depends what you mean by "station". I think you need to
plan your
> modules as well, based on the functions you are trying to achieve,
> particularly when you are thinking of connecting something (what kind
> of outlet do you need, what space for mounting brackets etc, what
> power, if any). I think a generalised "2/3 conduit
everywhere" won't
> work - for a start, most single gang wall boxes accept 2 incoming
> conduit at a maximum - and is likely to be overspecified and
> expensive. Secondly, you can't run normal cat-5 and mains into the
> same wall box without creating issues with the regs.
>
> With respect to mixing Idranet and Mains, on a new build you've got
> better options than a retrofit. You can wire each light switch
> position with pink C-Bus only, and run mains from load to CU only, no
> mains at light switch at all. Idratek have DIN rail relays, but not,
> as yet, DIN rail dimmers. If you really want dimming now, you'll have
> to mix at an SLD. Or you can use X10 modules, either DIN rail, or
> plug-in.
>
> Where you want power switching, again you could use X-10 plug-ins, or
> you _have_ to work it through carefully with your sparky to meet the
> regs. It gets a bit murky here, to be honest, since many sparkys work
> to common practice known to meet the regs, rather than the regs
> themselves. Idratek modules are outside their experience and cause a
> bit of head scratching.
>
> You have the option of centralised switching using the DIN rail module
> front-ended with 16A MCB and putting individual spurs to each
> switchable power outlet, or distributed switching using the SRH or
> DRH. As I recall, the DRH is not fused, and therefore requires a 16A
> fuse inline. Although that seems a little unfair, since I understand
> that normal double sockets will melt on a 32A fault current ! The SRH
> is fused, but you still have to be careful on whether it is spurred or
> on the ring.
>
> Cheers, Dave