Re: Re: What Infrastruture? - newbie question

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

Hi Jon,

You should find www.idratek.com has a higher Googlerank than me :-)

The dimmer (wall-module) product was announced and there is a datasheet,
about a month ago the firmware was having some final tweaks so should be
available very soon. I keep requesting a DIN module style dimmer so that I
can remove the X-10 modules I currently use. I actually rewired the
lighting
to use X-10 back in 2004, then saw Idratek at the UKHA show. Since they
initially didn't have a dimmer I continued to use the X-10 modules I
already
had, but will remove them as soon as possible because the X-10 response
speed is relatively poor compared to directly controlled systems like
Idratek and C-Bus.

I think I am probably one of the pioneers of Idratek on this list, and
probably the most vocal, but there are a few others lurking I believe. The
Idratek system has a lot of capability and is highly integrated, it
certainly goes further than lighting control. C-Bus at the high end has
"sexier" switches, but the standard Idratek wall modules are
pretty
unobtrusive in all white. I don't feel qualified to compare Idratek and
C-Bus, since I don't know that much about C-Bus, but I would recommend that
you contact Idratek and speak to them directly if you are interested in the
other capabilities. Depending where you live you may be able to arrange a
visit to see an installed system. I ended up spending about 5 hours looking
at an install and what could be done with it ... and more stuff has been
added since then.

For Star wiring you can bring back your loads to a consumer unit per floor
and mount it high up on a wall, rather than necessarily have the huge
expanses of rack that some people have fitted in. Basically you have to
have
enough space for the load switching capacity that you desire. I have not
protected my automation modules with MCBs like some reported C-Bus installs
have, partly due to space restrictions and partly because I am using either
relay modules or relatively inexpensive X-10 modules.

You could have a hybrid scheme. The control cabling would have to be
separated between the two hard-wired systems and obviously mains would need
to be starred to allow the C-Bus option. As you know, I mix X-10 and
Idratek, the Idratek system software integrates X-10 control, which allows
plug-in modules to be used as well.

Having said that, in my opinion HA has a "network law" effect
(the value
increases as the square of the connections), so the more you integrate the
better the effect. In a hybrid system you need to ensure that you have
means
of passing information from one system to another at a minimum, and you
will
have to do more work yourself to get it to work.

Cheers,

David


On 8/29/06, Jonathan Shaw <semi.jon@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>    --- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx <ukha_d%40yahoogroups.com>, "David
> Gumbrell" <david.gumbrell@...>
>
> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John,
> >
> > The Idratek system (www.idratek.com) has wall switch modules that
> include
> > upto 2 relays or 1 dimmer channel in a single gang unit. This
means
> you can
> > have a "classical" radial + switch wires scheme
(provide you stay
> within
> > module loading limits) and just need an extra Cat5 daisy-chained
or
> > "spidered" to each wall switch (although ceiling
positions for
> sensors add
> > considerably to the usefulness). It also makes it easier to
remove
> the
> > automation for resale should you hit issues with technophobes.
> >
> > But for flexibility you can't beat the star-wired to Node-0
scheme,
> this is
> > the only way to get the freedom to specify equipment later that
you
> asked
> > for.
> >
>
> David,
> Thanks I had not heard of Idratek but Googling kept returning to your
> articles - you are obviously quite a fan. I'll give them a ring (no
> pun intended) as I have a list of things I'd like to do, so hopefuly
> they should be able to tell me if I can aford it, certainly the price
> list looks less terrifying than some.
>
> You mentioned dimmers but the output devices mention relays not
> dimmers & you appear to use X-10 devices for dimming - have I
missed
> something?
>
> Point taken re flexibility and star-wiring. I just don't have the
> space in the utility area for essentials like boiler, washing machine
> and racks of cabling :-( I think I could star wire the hall stairs
> and landing and downstairs lights where I think automated control
> will be of most use.
>
> I also agree with your point re taking it out on moving and like the
> idea of being able to start with conventional switches and rolling
> changes.
>
> To all
> Any other users of Idratek out there? Comments?
>
> Is it possible/common to have hybrid HA installs where one type of
> control (e.g. c-bus / Rako) is used for lighting and another e.g. X-
> 10 / idratek for appliance control. Or even multiple types for
> lighting and appliance control as the system evolves?
>
> Thanks again.
> Jon
>
>
>


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