KNX Technology

KNX has been founded in 1990 in Europe and become worldwide standard for building and home automation control. This technology was developted from EIB or European Installation Bus, KNX is then compatible with old EIB devices. KNX is changing electrical installations in buildings with more than 30 years continuous development. Intelligent bus systems make buildings more cost-effective to operate, safer, and more flexible.

Why KNX? There are serveral bus technologies on market. But no other bus system is supported by as many different manufacturers as KNX. This is because:

KNX is green technology and energy saving, in which the most effective energy efficiency under fully automated control. A study conducted by the Institute for Building and Energy Systems at Biberach University of Applied Sciences, entitled “The potential offered by modern electrical installations for saving energy”, has revealed that the use of a KNX-based, networked home and building control system can reduce energy consumption by as much as 50 %.

Source: www.knx.org

KNX devices control the automation of building such as HVAC, lighting, multimedia, shutter, security, energy management and more. Once installed, the devices can be programmed and parameterised to required function.

Source: www.knx.org

KNX communicates via various communication media to exchange the data between devices in the system:

• KNX Twisted Pair (KNX TP) or called bus cable
• KNX Power Line (KNX PL) to use existing 230V cable
• KNX Radio Frequency (KNX RF) communication via radio signal
• KNX IP communication via Ethernet

KNX is standardized in Europe, USA, China and in many country, throuh e.g. Because the technology is standardized, KNX products are all mutually compatible and expandable in later stage.

• CENELEC EN 50090 (Europe)
• CEB 13321-1/2 (Europe)
• ISO/IEC 14543-3 (International)
• GB/T 20965 (China)
• ANSI/ASHRAE 135 (USA)

One of major advantage, KNX bus is decentralized structure which does not require central control unit. Every device has its own microprocessor. Any failed device detected, the others in the bus remain continue to function. The bus can be modified and added to exactly as required.

Various sensors used to detect or measure and transmit their values across the system. They are for example, motion sensor, presence sensor, door & window contacts, water gas electricity meters, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, rain sensor, wind sensor, brightness sensor, CO2 sensor, PM2.5 sensor, leak sensor, level measurement in water tank, etc.

Various actuators can be controlled via the bus:

• Relays for switching room lights on and off
• Dimmers and DALI-gateways
• Temperature displays
• Drive mechanisms for awnings, blinds, curtains and garage doors
• Alarms (lights and buzzers)
• Relays for making and breaking socket outlet circuits
• Air conditioning systems
• Ventilation systems (toilet/bathroom extractor fans, controlled ventilation for living area
• Triggle signals for alarm systems
• Etc

KNX devices are developted and manufaactured by world leading electrical sector brands.

Source: www.knx.org