BEAMA

There are many systems of control around and some extremely complex ones are used in Industrial Automation and Information Technology.   Special methods also exist for use in application areas such as Motor Vehicles, Aerospace (Fly-by-Wire) and Weapons Technology.  However the three most commonly used in Smart Housing applications in the UK at present are:

Dedicated Control Wiring

Most commonly applicable for a new-build application, this is a cabling structure rather like a wiring loom which is designed for the building and installed at the first-fix stage. However unlike an analogue system (such as a 1960’s style central heating control system) it does not require a signal wire for each ‘state’ of every device attached. This is because it makes use of digital signalling and the digital signals which are sent from the system controller around the loom in ‘packets’ have a digital ‘address’ specific to each device to be commanded. Thus the amount of electrical cabling required is considerably simplified and reduced and also there is a degree of ‘future-proofing’ as extra appliances and controls can be added later, providing they are within the vicinity of the loom. The control wiring usually operates at lower voltage and is completely separated from the power supply wiring to the equipment, which will normally be supplied by the 240 volt 13amp house ring main circuits.

Powerline

Utilises the fact that each item of control equipment and each appliance or accessory will normally require a mains power supply, usually through the 13amp house ring main circuits. Powerline is able to eliminate the need for a separate ‘wiring loom’ for control purposes because it superimposes a low powered digital signal on to the normal 240v 50hz current supply which is ‘addressed’ to the appropriate accessory by the system controller. Powerline therefore has significant advantages in retro-fit and sometimes in refurbishment applications.

Low Power Radio & other Wireless Systems 

Systems such as Zig Bee, can be used to control equipment over a short range as an alternative to Powerline or dedicated wiring. Some specific applications also use infra-red communications locally, similar to, for example, the controls you are familiar with to switch on your TV and DVD player.

Mixed Systems

In fact many applications use a combination of all three control media, particularly as Smart Housing systems require modification over time, and manufacturers can generally supply the necessary interfaces to enable mixed systems to function correctly.