Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
pair, a remote trigger, or a scene trigger (the latter being the C-Bus term for macro programming, where several state
changes can occur on several devices at the same time). Scene programming can also occur through the C-Bus Toolkit
Software, although this is currently available only for Microsoft Windows.
There are several devices in each family, capable of various support loads and characteristics, but generally
speaking a C-Bus dimmer will support incandescent and halogen lamps between 25W to 500W (up to 2A), along with
fan motors (up to 2A).
These two series also provide basic switch units. These appear the same as their lamp-controlling counterparts,
except that they lack the dim functionality. By way of compensation, they can support a much greater range of devices
(up to 2KW, and 8A in places) including fluorescent lights.
N
There appear to be no in-wall units for sale, meaning you cannot use wireless C-Bus electronics with your own
style of face plate.
Note
Controlling Appliances
Like X10, C-Bus provides an appliance module that plugs into the wall and controls the flow of current to its
corresponding socket. These are known as the 5812 series plug adapters and look like their X10 counterparts, with the
exception that they, too, support dimming and switch versions.
Because every C-Bus device includes a microcontroller and the C-Bus protocol supports the remote
programming of other devices, any of the light switches mentioned earlier can also be used to control an appliance
switch by programming an “association” on the switch, equivalent to a Linux symbolic link.
Controllers
The Series Wireless remote control 5888 is the main device here. It is an RF transmitter (operating at 433.92 MHz)
supporting ten devices up to 70 meters away (although 25 is more likely inside a building). Because of the unified
design of all C-Bus modules, it is technically possible to control more than the allotted ten devices by using the remote
to control one switch, which in turn controls another two through the use of a scene. Furthermore, no RF gateway is
required to use this remote, since the C-Bus wireless network is already operating on RF. This also means that multiple
remotes can control any individual device, and any individual button can control multiple devices.
Like X10, it also supports an “all off ” message.
Gateways
With so much emphasis on the wireless network, it is sometimes necessary to revert to wires. This is where the
Wireless Gateway C-Bus 5800 Series comes in. This is a necessary feature and the only way that the wired and wireless
versions of C-Bus can be connected together. Also, through the use of software such as C-Bus Toolkit, it can be
connected to a computer for remote, sequenced, and intelligent control. Consequently, this device is also necessary
for a wireless-only network that needs to feature PC control because the 802.11 wireless protocol used by commercial
routers is not suitable as a C-Bus wireless gateway.
Lighting Control
In addition to the general purpose appliance controlles that I've discussed, there are also a number of specific
controllers for lighting. This is a recent development, but not a great surprise, since lighting is one of the major
contributing factors in uptake for home automation. Most of us start with a controller light switch, after all. Given that
lights are a specific case, it is therefore possible to add extra functionality to the communication protocols which would
make no sense if it were a tradtional appliance, such as colour.
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