Home Automation

Home Automation

Home automation is becoming more and more popular when building new homes. Home automation can control everything from home cinemas, air conditioning, lighting, power monitoring, and even window shutters. Home automation is based on running many cables through the home when it is being built, to supply power and communication to the areas you want to control. The home owner sets what they want on the touch screen and the home automation computer takes over. For example: if you want to set the air conditioner to control the overall temperature of the home, then you would set the temperature on the touch screen and the home automation computer takes over and can tell you how much power you have used and the time the air conditioner was on.

C-Bus

Clipsal C-bus is one of the most common types of home automation installed in new homes. C-Bus is microprocessor based controller and management system. It can be used to:

• Control pumps and Motors.
• Audio Visual Devices.
• Lighting control.
• Manage both analogue and digital devices.
• Environment temperature control.
• And so many more.

Advantages of Home Automation

• Easy controls most things in your home with the touch of a screen.
• Control both analogue and digital loads.
• You can control many devices at the same time.
• Very flexible as devices can be added on without  a lot of new cables.

Disadvantages of Home Automation

• Cost – is high and does cost a reasonable amount to set up.
• You need an electrician who knows how to install it. not all do.
• Uses a bit more power.

While these disadvantages may be easy to over come they are still worth considering before you commit to home automation. Also note the C-Bus is not the only system on the market as C-Bus is made by Clipsal, other brands may be just as good or better. However C-Bus has been around for many years and has a tried and tested system with robust components.

Overall home automation can give a great level of comfort and control within your home and is worth considering when building a new home. It is possible to add a home automation system to an existing home however this is not an easy or cheaper option. Check our pages on home electrical for more.

Tagged as: C-bus, home automation