KNx applications
Konnex (KNX) Open Protocol control systems are sometimes referred to as EIB (European Installation Bus)
control systems due to its origin in several European countries. It is the only International Standard for Open
Protocol Control Systems (ISO/IEC 14543-3) for Homes and Buildings.
KNX Partners (such as McCool Controls and Engineering Ltd) are solutions providers who have been trained
and certified in the supply, installation, programming and commissioning of KNX systems by a Certified KNX
Training centre.
The technology itself is a distributed network of intelligent devices on a 2-wire bus network. The correct devices
are “grouped” together through programming. All sensors, actuators and user interfaces are simply connected
onto the one bus. This greatly simplifies the electrical installation.
PC interfaces with Graphic representations are available as well as integration with third party systems. Please
see below a brief detail on the areas where MC3E utilise KNX technology and please contact us with any
queries:
Natural Ventilation:
Actuators are available to drive windows, louvers or blinds, either 230V or 24V. Full modulating control is
available as well as indication of actuator position. Also available are actuators for controlling Motors encoded
with Standard Motor Interface (SMI) intelligence. These allow greater precision in the control and alignment of
blinds.
Please see Eircom Case study
Advantages of KNX:
- Remote positioning of KNX Actuators significantly reduces wiring
- Reduces electrical installation due to Bus nature of EIB
- Flexibility of system. Modifications are achieved by simply adding new devices onto the bus. Quite useful in areas where retrofitting is common such as open plan offices, Retail Units, airports etc.
- Position feedback off Actuators available
- Fault status available from SMI Actuators
- Reduces energy consumption when used for Passive cooling as dictated by weather station
Lighting Control:
Lighting control can be governed via KNX Sensors (presence, luminance, Light Level) and either switched or
dimmed with KNX Actuators. Switching, dimming and Scene Selection are available from KNX user interfaces.
Also available are DALI interfaces for controlling DALI networks via the KNX bus.
Advantages of KNX:
- Reduces energy consumption due to switching or dimming of lighting loads in unoccupied areas. Very beneficial in premises with fluctuating occupancy such as Schools, Universities, Hospitals or shopping centres
- Reduces energy consumption due dimming/switching of perimeter or external lighting based on Light level readings
- Reduces electrical installation due to Bus nature of EIB
- Flexibility of system. Modifications are achieved by adding new devices onto the bus. Quite useful in areas where retrofitting is common such as open plan offices, Retail Units, airports etc.
- When DALI interface is used it allows Ballasts to be individually controlled, monitored and displayed on the Graphical front end. This includes Ballast and lamp failure notifications as well as efficiency reading of lamps. This is a very useful maintenance planning tool in large sites
- Central off facility at night
- Scene selection available for areas such conference rooms, meeting rooms, lobby’s, halls etc
- Infrared Interfaces for remote control
- Wide Range of User Interfaces available to suit any aesthetic requirements
Heating Zone Control:
Heating Zone Valves can be driven via KNX Actuators based on readings from KNX temperature sensors
or as dictated by Presence detectors, window contacts or user interfaces.
Advantages of KNX:
- Reduces energy consumption due to reduction of temperature set point in unoccupied mode
- Reduces energy consumption when interlocked with widow contacts i.e. switch off heating when window is opened. Frost protection set point would then dictate heating valve operation
- Reduces electrical installation due to Bus nature of EIB
- Central off facility at night
FCU Control:
There are various types of Controllers available with many user interfaces.
Advantages of KNX:
- Wide Range of User Interfaces available to suit any Aesthetic requirements
- Reduces energy wastage due to switching or reduction of temperature set point in unoccupied mode
- Reduces energy wastage when interlocked with widow contacts i.e. switch off heating or cooling when window is opened. Frost protection set point would then dictate heating valve operation
- Can provide an all in one solution for Hotel rooms with spare channels on actuators for switching lighting circuits