Home Automation Domotica Forum Europe, Bwired Forum

Hi All,

I'm currently planning to deploy a KNX system for my home, for controlling my lights, sockets, blinds and shutters.
The control is done via push buttions in combination with a interface towards a homeserver.
The system is intended for an existing home, where I already replaced my wall sockets by sockets from Kaiser (suitable for flush mounted actors).

The ideal solution would be a KNX system based on powerline, however there aren't many suppliers and the compatiblity between manufactures is questionable.
The alternative would be a wireless system in combination with a TP solution for connecting a Homeserver.
I read that these wireless systems only support uni-directional communications, that could cause problems with receiving feedback messages (to have the actual state of my e.g. blinds/shutters).

As last option would be the use of TP, since I don't have dedicated EIB/KNX pipes to my metering cabinet.
I would need to share knx lines with power lines in the same pipe (which is not recommended by NEN1010).

What would be your suggestion, w.r.t. wireless vs TP solution?
Is there any experience with combining BCU (bus couplers) and application modules of different brands?

In my opinion wireless KNX is waste of money because it does not provide any encryption. But so are almost all other wireless technologies pretty much exept Zigbee.

I do not have any experience but my electrician claims that KNX TP (twisted pair) solution can actually work over normal power line wire (NB! not over live 220V wire!) without problem. This was answer to my question that is there any problem to run KNX cable in the same pipe with power line cable.

Other possible problem is that when KNX cable and power cable are in the same installation box (even when coming from separate pipe) then you may connected them by accident (and fry all your KNX devices) but this can be avoided when you do not mess with the live cables.

So in my opinion if you want KNX and can use TP solution then this is the right way to go.

The major KNX implementations are based on connecting all devices with a control KNX wire .....
There are wireless KNX products in most case it will be switches or remote controls sending an on/off/dim commands to a receiver and this receiver is mostly connected by the KNX control wire !
Yes some switching 230V actors like plugin modules are available ....

Interoperability between wireless products of different manufacturers may not work ..... if you want to play it safe stay with one vendor

Powerline a very limited implementations and also interoperability of different producers can be an issue and powerline can be tricky ...

Most KNX installations are just solid wired implementations

Henk

wireless:
I join kris2lee's standpoint. The new Z-wave also includes encryption, but not so many products available yet. See this topic for a comparisonchart (might be outdated).

KNX PL (Powerline):
Same as with wireless, not possible to mix and mingle with other KNX PL systems (Gira used to have a PL system). However, the ABB/Busch-Jaeger system is pretty neat and works so much better and faster then Xanura. Even so, I mixed it with KNX TP components to control other parts of my system. Not a problem at all!

KNX TP:
I've heard about situations where TP wiring was passed through the same tube. If you choose the correct wiring with enough insulation you will have enough distance between the core wiring as is needed according to the standard. However, everybody I talked to about this specifically told me there are no guarantees you will have a stable system in the end. I eventually choose for PL because I have several pipes filled with regular cables, so I could use TP everywhere because there would not be enough room in the pipes.

Contact details for ABB can be found on their website. So far they have been very helpful in determining what my options where and where to order my stuff.