Re: was: Re: Idratek - Serious Contender? Now: Alternative to clipsal switches in C-Bus Install

["Frank Mc Alinden" <frankmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Nigel

>I had also considered the C-Bus Coupler but it is limited to 3 metres
of
>wiring, which would be >great if the coupler was co-located with the
switch
>but I am home-running all the light switch >wires to the C-Bus
Dimmer
>locations.

Could you not just use the homerun cables as CBUS comms cable from each
switch bus coupler ?? Then you would be able to have  bus couplers at each
switch ???

Frank

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nigel Giddings" <nigel@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 8:32 PM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] was: Re: Idratek - Serious Contender? Now:
Alternative
to clipsal switches in C-Bus Install


Gareth,

I am considering the idea of using simple retractive switches (RPP
Easyclip)
at 99% of the locations. If I have any money left I may go for a nice touch
screen thingy in an appropriate location...

I had also considered the C-Bus Coupler but it is limited to 3 metres of
wiring, which would be great if the coupler was co-located with the switch
but I am home-running all the light switch wires to the C-Bus Dimmer
locations.

I have decided to run Cat5(e) from all the switch plates to Krone Frames at
one of two C-Bus locations (Thanks to Jim Noble for helping with this last
weekend!). I will then wire from the Krone frames to C-Bus Aux modules
which
do not have the distance limitation.

The main driver for this is cost, secondly, as much as I like the clipsal
C-Bus switches they are only switches and I want the switch locations to be
multi-function and offer flexible (Initially I would like to include
Temperature sensors (1-wire), PIR, and IR Rx'ers).

The cost advantage is enhanced by the fact that I expect many of the switch
locations to have the same function. As an example; the guest bedroom has 4
switch locations, 1.Entrance door 2.Bed-Side Left 3.Bed-Side Right
4.En-Suite Shower Door. The left most switch in 3 of the locations will be
'Lights on/off'. The 2nd switch from the left will be 'night scene'.

Having run all the switches back to the Krone Frame I can 'Jumper' the 3
'Lights on/off' switches together in the Krone Frame and connect to one Aux
input programmed for this function. (Saves on Programming too...)

I still have flexibility in that I can 're-jumper' any switch to any Aux
I/P
if I want to change the design or change the setting of the Aux I/P in
software so I hope that will cover most situations. The current wall plate
selection allows for 4 units in each location.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who can see any flaws in my
thinking (I can take criticism, I'm used to it...) Of course I'm losing
feedback from the pretty lights and I would use that for other
notifications
as well, such as message waiting, external movement detection etc.

Regards

Nigel
http://photos.corbenic.co.uk



-----Original Message-----
From: Gareth Cook [mailto:g@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 01 February 2006 08:47
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Fw: [ukha_d] Re: Idratek - Serious Contender?

With the CBUS Coupler, you can 4 cheap momentary switches - MK's for
example. Coupler is about £50 quid of which you can connect 4 switches -
so 4 rooms for £60 ? You wont get pretty lights on the switches but
certainly an option.

Then you have an 8 channel dimmer for about £320 - so for 8 lights on 2
couplers that would be about £55 per room. If you use a 12 channel relay
instead, then 12 rooms can be done for about £45/room

G.

Gareth Cook
Tools and Process Architect
IBM SWG Sales - Lotus Park, Staines, TW18 3AG
Office: +44 (0)1784 445166 - Mobile: +44 (0)7980 445166
AIM Chat : TheBoyG - MSN Chat : chat@xxxxxxx
email: g@xxxxxxx


----- Forwarded by Gareth Cook/UK/IBM on 01/02/2006 08:37 -----

Discussion
Main Topic

ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Today 08:29

.
Subject:
.
[ukha_d] Re: Idratek - Serious Contender?
.
Category:



--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Frank Mc Alinden" <frankmc@i...>
wrote:

>  'looks OK to me - a lot better than Clipsal, anyway
> Your not serious here ????.........
> Clipsal,s Saturn and DLT,s .....theres nothing that i have seen that
> looks anywhere near as nice ....

The clipsal stuff does look pretty...

But IMHO, it all looks like it should be on the wall of a modern
office building, not a 4 bed semi :-)

Cheers

Steve