08
Nov
2011
by Philipp |
|
Category: Backstage | Home Automation
All lighting in the Loxone office is now controlled by the Miniserver. We have made extensive use of the EnOcean Extension and the EnOcean Accessories, as these are perfect for retrofitting.
Initial Situation
Our offices are in a building that was built in the 60s and since then has only been partly renovated. A recap of the existing lighting:
- All lighting circuits are wired in a conventional manner, i.e. single leg wiring, with load switching behind the switch.
- The corridors, stairwell and entrance area are equipped with normal light switches as well
- There are no motion detectors in the building, not even in the transition areas, e.g. corridors, etc.
To read more about the initial stocktake have a look here >
Due to the conventional wiring, we were not able to automate our offices without lots of effort in the past . Our EnOcean Extension however has overcome this hurdle and with it we now have retrofitted a fully fledged lighting control system.
Wireless lighting control
Installation of the extension in our consumer unit
To implement the wireless lighting control system, we installed an EnOcean Extension in our ancient consumer unit. The extension is of course connected to a Miniserver and also to an SMA antenna, which we mounted on the outside of the consumer unit to not have it shielded by the metal cover of our consumer unit. The SMA antenna has a 5m long cable, which should be ample to mount it in a suitable place.
Installation of the SMA antenna on top of the consumer unit
Lighting in transition areas via wireless PIR
In the transition areas (entrance, stairs, corridors) we have mounted wireless motion detectors on the ceiling. The power consumption of these is so small that they are entirely powered by miniature solar cells! Through the inbuilt energy store the PIRs continue to work through the night, even several days of darkness.
During office hours the wireless PIRs are used to control the light. In the configuration software this was done by using the “Switch Off Delay” block. When motion is detected and the input of this block is triggered, it switches the lights on for a fixed period, if motion is detected whilst the lights are already on, then the period is prolonged.
Over night, as well as on weekends and holidays, the same PIRs double up for the burglar alarm, which using the mailer and caller notifies us of any unwanted visitors.
Wireless PIR with solar cells. |  Simple installation on ceiling, without pulling cables. |
Controlling lights in rooms with wireless buttons and actuators
Getting control over the lighting in the offices themselves was just as easy. First we removed the existing switches, then installed the wireless relay actuator in the back box to do the switching of the load. If your back boxes are not deep enough, then this wireless actuator can also be installed in a ceiling void or any other place in line leg of the light circuit that you can easily get to. Finally we fitted the switch itself, which is a wireless pushbutton, so no connections to the existing lighting circuit is required.
The lights can now be switched just as before, but central functions to save energy can also be implemented.
Added bonus: Depending on the time of day and natural light level, the lights are automatically turned off if the illumination is deemed sufficient over a 30 minute period. To sense the illumination light sensors are used, but this could also be done using the time of day and local weather data.
The Advantages
By linking all the lighting circuits in the building to our automation system we now enjoy the following advantages:
- Enhanced comfort: In the windowless corridors the light is now switched on automatically, saving you the hassle to find the light switch in the dark.
- Practical central functions: The last person to leave the building can turn off all the lights with a double click on the switch by the front door. Furthermore the burglar alarm gets armed and the heating is turned down over night as well when the double click is detected.
- In addition to the double click on the switch by the front door, double clicks are configured for every room which allow all lights in that area to be switched.
- Energy Saving: Lights in transition areas are on PIRs and all light circuits can be centrally controlled. Hence lights are no longer left on unnecessarily and do not get left on over night. They will also not remain switched on the whole day, just because someone turned them on in the morning when it was still dark outside.
- Intelligent additional features: If the burglar alarm is triggered all lights start to flash to attract attention from passers-by and to scare off whoever might be in the building.
PS: We have also implemented the access control. More about this is to follow soon on here, so make sure you subscribe to the blog.
TAGS: Wireless Lighting | Wireless Switch | Wireless PIR | EnOcean
