switches and (high capacity) dimmers:what system?
Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 4:52 pm
Hi,
when our house was constructed, I asked to have all switches wired to the central electricity board (star network), already having home automation in my mind. Currently teleruptors act for switches and also some heavy dimmers were installed in the electricity board.
I initially had A10 (Xanura) in mind, but :
- the micro modules are of course not fit for mounting on the electricity board (e.g. the new micro module for 4 switches), with all wires of the switches being routed to a central place.
- the existing Xanura din rail modules don't allow status report, which is dissappointing coming from Xanura
- I have lights up to 500 watt, both via electrical outlet and chandeleer.
First question : can the power of these Xanura dimmer micromodules be extended to higher capacity? 250 Watt isn't a whole lot...
I'm not sure what home automation brand can provide the things I'm asking ? Can somebody give me some advice ?
I want :
- a not so expensive system for lighting and heating (price range A10). Mind that dimming requires high capacity.
- control via PC, preferably a non closed system, eg allowing me to write my own software or with good interface/integration to already existing software modules. Intention is to have my own webserver to integrate everything.
- steering of switches and lights on the electricity board (DIN RAIL) (every wire arrives there)
- but also steering of lights via electrical outlet (X10 style)
- being able of asking status of every device (is it on, off, dimmed,...)
- attribute multiple functions to individual switches (click, double click, dimming)
- remote (wireless) control of the lights. I initially intended to use RFXCOM modules to allow intervention via PC.
- temperature measured by wireless thermometer, centrally managed. I was intending to use Oregon wireless sensor combined with RFXCOM module for that, with my own software running on a webserver pc. I have my house fit for zone heating through electrical valve.
I don't mind joining different systems together (though one system would of course be better)... like a separate system for heating and another for lighting via the electricity board, another one for steering via the electrical outlets.... provided the software of these systems allows me to do so.
Thanks in advance for the advice !
Kind regards,
David.
when our house was constructed, I asked to have all switches wired to the central electricity board (star network), already having home automation in my mind. Currently teleruptors act for switches and also some heavy dimmers were installed in the electricity board.
I initially had A10 (Xanura) in mind, but :
- the micro modules are of course not fit for mounting on the electricity board (e.g. the new micro module for 4 switches), with all wires of the switches being routed to a central place.
- the existing Xanura din rail modules don't allow status report, which is dissappointing coming from Xanura
- I have lights up to 500 watt, both via electrical outlet and chandeleer.
First question : can the power of these Xanura dimmer micromodules be extended to higher capacity? 250 Watt isn't a whole lot...
I'm not sure what home automation brand can provide the things I'm asking ? Can somebody give me some advice ?
I want :
- a not so expensive system for lighting and heating (price range A10). Mind that dimming requires high capacity.
- control via PC, preferably a non closed system, eg allowing me to write my own software or with good interface/integration to already existing software modules. Intention is to have my own webserver to integrate everything.
- steering of switches and lights on the electricity board (DIN RAIL) (every wire arrives there)
- but also steering of lights via electrical outlet (X10 style)
- being able of asking status of every device (is it on, off, dimmed,...)
- attribute multiple functions to individual switches (click, double click, dimming)
- remote (wireless) control of the lights. I initially intended to use RFXCOM modules to allow intervention via PC.
- temperature measured by wireless thermometer, centrally managed. I was intending to use Oregon wireless sensor combined with RFXCOM module for that, with my own software running on a webserver pc. I have my house fit for zone heating through electrical valve.
I don't mind joining different systems together (though one system would of course be better)... like a separate system for heating and another for lighting via the electricity board, another one for steering via the electrical outlets.... provided the software of these systems allows me to do so.
Thanks in advance for the advice !
Kind regards,
David.