Remote control of programmed devices around the office, factory or private dwelling fulfil the needs of comfort and convenience, but can also contribute towards greater energy efficiency and compliance to regulations. The need for electrical appliances to dim or shut off automatically in response to environmental conditions is likely to be a key focus of future construction practices. "Smart technology" can be used to subtly adjust heating, window apertures and solar panel orientation, with a view to keeping energy wastage and expenditure to a minimum.

Automation is about bringing things together, enabling holistic control and monitoring, for efficiency, fine-tuning, security, creating an agreeable working environment, and many other potential applications.

With the emphasis on the KNX “Konnex” bus (an automation standard based on EIB, BatiBUS and EHS), OWS installations enable property owners to control shutters, dimmers, light switches, heating and other devices by remote control, to a schedule, or in response to ambient conditions. The great advantage of KNX over other automation technologies is its open standard basis, supported by multinational companies with stature, such as ABB and Siemens. Proprietary alternatives are supported by only one company, whereas KNX allows for different manufacturer products to communicate efficiently and clearly on the same network. All products have to comply with rigorous testing stipulations, making for a reliable and future-proofed network.

Other network protocols, such as Modbus, RS485, RS232 are also part and parcel of many transmission setups, where field devices frequently use simple serial technologies to communicate. Having dealt with many such scenarios, OWS engineers are au fait with the integration techniques required to bring different elements together.

We have also installed and interfaced to proprietary systems, such as Lutron and Crestron.

Since OWS has always been involved, one way or another, with lighting, it will be no surprise to hear that we also have experience of the DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) lighting control system.

A large part of our automation work involves a standard called KNX. So, what is so special about it?

KNX is based on an open standard and is supported by wide range of major companies, such as Siemens and ABB. It has been around for a long time, and is thus a “mature technology”. Whilst it is mature, it is also constantly evolving, with further features being introduced as time goes on. Furthermore, it a technology in which an increasing number of companies have invested. The widespread support it has, and the investments being made, make it future-proof, in our opinion. One of the main things that distinguishes it from other automation protocols is the fact that it is not proprietary; in other words, if one manufacturer were to go insolvent, another’s products would be able to replace those components if necessary, because all manufacturers that make KNX devices must adhere to very strict certification which guarantees compatibility and backwards-compatibility.

KNX places a major emphasis on reliability. The KNX cable used for installations is high-specification (it can also run over other media, including wireless), with wide-gauge copper core, and robust interference-shielding and sheathing. It is also a low-voltage technology, which makes it safe compared to 230V analogues. The devices themselves, which sit on the KNX network (or “bus”) are rigorously tested for reliability.

In comparison with older BMS systems, KNX is far more sophisticated, without losing sight of the necessity for simplicity where it is called for. Devices on a KNX bus can communicate with one another. There is no central server distributing commands, which could become a central point of failure. Instead, KNX devices have their own local memory and intelligence; they are programmed to fulfil their function independently. Thus, in the unlikely event of a failure arising, only that device’s particular range of functions is compromised. The ability of the devices to communicate information, as well as perform their functional role, gives rise to a major selling point of KNX, its ability to provide data logging and information accumulated in a database, which can then be consulted remotely, via an Internet connection. The fact that KNX is modular and update-able, and not the specific property of a single company, means that additional features can always be added at a future date, if required, in a subsequent phase of upgrades. The KNX system is there to control inputs and outputs to devices; should there be a need to upgrade devices at a later date, this can be achieved without having to reconsider the KNX BMS as a whole; it would be simply a question of adapting it to the new units, if, indeed, any change is required at all.

The outcome of stringent and modifiable control of devices is advantageous from the point of view of reliability and safety, but also can yield considerable cost savings. Instant changes to devices based on changes in environmental conditions is something a KNX automation system is perfectly suited for, which is why it is being adopted in an increasing number of environmentally conscious “green” projects.

KNX also permits an easy-to-use and responsive range of options for “visualization”, i.e. the control user interface. Again, because devices can communicate on the bus, the status of devices can be constantly updated, making the system display immediate and informative. The type of display format used is also programmable, and so can be adapted to the client’s preference. This includes, of course, the fashionable iPad, which is becoming a popular device for central control.