Control Building Functions Easily, Economically, and Flexibly
Anyone planning to build a new home or commercial building faces the challenge of meeting numerous technical and financial requirements. These demands have increased significantly, particularly in building management and electrical installation.
Key Benefits of Smart Building Technology:
- Flexibility: Adapt building functions to user needs cost-effectively, without extensive renovations.
- Comfort: Enhance living and working environments with convenient and simple operation of electrical installations.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduce both initial construction and long-term running costs, incorporating intelligent solutions for energy efficiency.
- Safety and Security: Ensure buildings react quickly and intelligently in critical situations, overcoming the limitations of conventional installations.
KNX from Schneider Electric offers an intelligent alternative, enabling "clever buildings."
Schneider Electric KNX in Residential Buildings: Living the Good Life
Experience enhanced comfort by activating multiple desired functions with a single button. For example, lower blinds, switch on atmospheric lighting, and set the ideal room temperature simultaneously. These customisable "scenes" simplify daily living.
Features:
- Intelligent Blind Control: Centralised control of roller shutters and blinds, automatic protection from sunlight/storms via sensors, and burglar deterrence through timed operation.
- Timed Heating Control: Maintain pleasant room temperatures with individual room control, reduce heating costs via timed valves, and create a healthy sleeping climate with automatic night-time reduction. Room temperature can also be lowered when windows are opened.
- Individual Lighting Control: A "Central Off" switch at the entrance can deactivate all loads. Individual light settings can be managed anywhere, anytime. A "panic button" can illuminate the house and garden instantly for security.
Product Examples:
- 2-gang push button with room temperature control unit and Ultimate stainless steel frame.
- 4-gang push button plus with IR receiver and Ultimate polished brass frame.
Schneider Electric KNX in Commercial Buildings: Working Made Easy
Flexibility and cost efficiency are paramount in commercial buildings. KNX intelligent building management offers significant advantages. For instance, in a presentation room, a single button can dim lights, lower blinds and projection screens, and activate projectors and microphones, all while optimising ventilation and heating.
Features:
- Intelligent Blind Control: Automatic awning control based on light sensors, automatic blind retraction during strong winds, and adjustment of blind slats according to sunlight intensity. Full control of audio-visual equipment is also possible.
- Individual Heating Control: Presence-dependent room heating and immediate closure of heating valves when windows are opened. Heat is supplied automatically and individually via room temperature control units.
- Automatic Lighting Control: Time-dependent switching of lights during breaks or weekends. Daylight-dependent lighting adjustment for optimal working conditions. Intelligent heating control can reduce energy costs by up to 30%. Automatic lighting in corridors and seldom-used rooms is managed via movement detectors.
Product Examples:
- 4-gang push-button and Ultimate stainless steel frame.
- 2-gang push button with room temperature control unit and Ultimate pearl nickel frame.
- Presence detector with lighting control.
- 180° 2.2M flush-mounted presence sensor.
All Buildings Are Made Intelligent with KNX Technology
Schneider Electric played a fundamental role in shaping the standard for home automation and building control across different manufacturers. As a driving force in building system technology, Schneider Electric offers a comprehensive range of components, control interfaces, and sensors.
KNX is the only worldwide open standard for home automation and building system technology, in accordance with EN 50090. This European norm is the basis for KNX, making it the only protocol that meets this standard.
The success story of KNX includes:
- 103 member companies
- Representation in 70 countries
- Over 21,000 ETS users
- 100 training centres
- 40 partners from science and further education
These facts provide confidence in investing in an established, future-oriented technology. Further information is available from the KNX Association at www.konnex.org.
Simple, Intelligent, Proven KNX Technology: The Intelligent Solution
Unlike conventional electrical installations that require advance planning for every switch and outlet, KNX offers unparalleled flexibility. System components can be changed or extended at any time without disruptive rewiring.
All building technology devices are connected via a single bus line, laid parallel to the 230V power supply. Actuators (e.g., roller shutter controls) execute commands from sensors (e.g., push-buttons).
Diagram Description:
- Conventional Solution: Depicts multiple separate lines for different functions, indicating less flexibility.
- Intelligent Solution (KNX): Shows a single bus line connecting various sensors and actuators, demonstrating a unified system for maximum flexibility and multi-task functions.
Long Term Savings with Schneider Electric KNX
Intelligent building technology offers flexibility, convenience, and security, and it pays for itself. Over the long term, savings of up to 30% on usual costs can be achieved compared to conventional solutions.
Cost Analysis:
- Initial investment costs for a building typically account for about 25% of the total cost.
- Operating costs, which make up the remaining 75%, offer the greatest potential for savings. As building needs evolve over generations or tenant changes, KNX's adaptability ensures continued value.
Planning Advice:
- Incorporate a bus line during the initial construction phase as a precautionary measure.
- Lay intelligent control cables parallel to power cables for all planned switches, outlets, and sockets.
- This minimal upfront cost provides immense benefit, offering the freedom to interlink building technology functions later.
Your electrical installer can retrofit KNX components cost-effectively without needing to break open walls.
First-Class References with Outstanding Design
Schneider Electric KNX is implemented in notable projects:
- The British Library: Upgraded its lighting-control system with KNX, incorporating DALI control, time-based scheduling, and manual override. The system manages lighting, energy reduction, and blinds/screens across a large floor space using an IP system.
- Heathrow Terminal 5: Utilised a KNX DALI lighting control and monitoring system for optimal energy efficiency, including daylight-linked control, presence detection, and time scheduling.
- O2 Dublin Arena: Implemented an integrated KNX/DALI solution for lighting control, colour-changing functionality, and emergency lighting testing. The system reduced cabling requirements and demonstrated significant energy consumption reduction (up to 60%) through presence detection and lux sensors.
Range Overview
Schneider Electric offers a comprehensive range of KNX products:
KNX Push Buttons & Sensors
- Push Buttons: 1-gang, 2-gang, 4-gang push buttons, including models with IR receivers. (e.g., 4-gang push button plus with IR receiver: MTN617519)
- Sensors & Room Temperature Controllers: Presence detectors (e.g., 180° 2.2m indoor movement detector: MTN630614), Room Temperature Control units (e.g., Room Temperature Control unit with display: MTN632714).
Ultimate KNX Frames
- Frames for KNX push buttons & sensors available in Stainless Steel, Painted White, Pearl Nickel, Polished Brass, Polished Chrome, and Black Nickel. (e.g., Ultimate screwless flat plate frame in Stainless Steel: GU8434PW)
Indoor/Outdoor Presence Detectors & Sensors
- Indoor Detectors: 360° basic, 360° presence, Presence with light control and IR receiver. (e.g., Indoor 360° presence detector: MTN630819)
- Outdoor Sensors: Wind sensor, Brightness sensor, Twilight sensor, Rain sensor, Temperature sensor. (e.g., Wind sensor with 0-10V interface: MTN663591)
System Devices REG-K
- Fan coil actuator (MTN645094), Dimming actuator (MTN646630), Logic Module Basic (MTN676090), Timer (MTN677290), DALI gateway (MTN680191), IP router (MTN680329).
Switch, Blind & Heating Actuators REG-K
- Switch Actuators: Various ratings and input options. (e.g., Switch actuator 230V 16A with manual mode: MTN647393)
- Blind / Roller Shutter Drives: Actuators for blinds and roller shutters. (e.g., Blind actuator 6A: MTN646704)
- Heating Actuators: For controlling heating systems. (e.g., Heating actuator 6x230/0.05 A: MTN645129)
Push Button Interfaces & Binary Inputs
- Push Button Interfaces: 2-gang (MTN670802), 4-gang (MTN670804).
- Binary Inputs: 4-input (MTN644492), 8-input (MTN644592).
Power Supplies
- Various output currents and types, including emergency input options. (e.g., Power supply with emergency input, 160mA: MTN683816)
Control Units REG-K
- Control unit 0-10 V with manual mode (MTN647091).
Universal Dimming Actuators REG-K
- 230V (MTN649310), FM models (e.g., Universal dim actuator FM 50-210W with 2 inputs: MTN60030003).
Analogue Modules REG-K
- Analogue 4 gang (MTN682191).
Valve Actuators
- Thermoelectric valve drive (MTN639125), Valve Drive with Status LED and 2 Inputs (MTN69210001).
Contact and Company Information
Schneider Electric is a global specialist in energy management, operating in over 100 countries. The company offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, focusing on making energy safe, reliable, and efficient.
UK Contact:
- Tel: 0870 608 8 608
- Fax: 0870 608 8 606
- Address: Stafford Park 5, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BL
- Website: www.schneider-electric.com/uk
Ireland Contact:
- Tel: 01 601 2200
- Fax: 01 601 2201
- Address: Head office, Block a, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
- Website: www.schneider-electric.ie
Schneider Electric is unifying its brand names to provide customers with a single, trusted identity. Market-leading brands like Merlin Gerin, Telemecanique, and Square D are now part of Schneider Electric, ensuring high compatibility for integrated solutions.
Registered office: Stafford Park 5, Telford, Shropshire TF3 3BL. Registered number: 1407228.
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