The system used for this install was KNX - it is an open protocol system that is used around the world. There are manufacturers that are making - everything dimmers, relays switches and there are manufacturers that are only making specific products - for example motion or presence detectors - on the wall, in ceiling or ultrasound motion detectors that you can hide behind the sheetrock - no visible devices in the room, but still it works. Some of the motion sensors are adjustable to a certain animal size - in case you don't want your dog to trigger the light.

Customer needed KNX to work within his 6000 square foot log home and the customer was provided with the following:

• Client was never tied into any one company. There are around 400 manufactures that are making products under this standard. Currently the only limitation for us in the USA are line voltage devices - UL listed devices are only available from Siemens and HDL.

• The constructed system consisted of two major components - a smart input device (switch, motion sensor, temperature sensor, thermostat) and a smart output device (dimmer, relay). Devices are communicating via bus cable - 2 conductor 0,8 mm2 = 18 AWG.

• Home Automation systems typically need a place to call back home or a main brain. KNX doesn’t need that to operate and because of that far less things can go wrong. KNX does offer the client a server for some complex logical functions and the app, but the system does not rely on it.

• Expensive maintenance contracts are not necessary just a normal maintenance check. Software updates are practically inexistent within KNX offering the customer a solution that will work for years. In an age where devices are constantly required to update to function or work KNX doesn’t need it at all. Instead the customer was able to focus on updating items within the house to match aesthetics. The system is also backwards compatible -example: A 10 year old system has the capability to swap out newer components and remain with the same functionality or alter functionality entirely with a new face plate.

• KNX offered a wide range of applications available on one network. Lights, shades, heating (both floor and hot air) and cooling, ceiling fan and exhaust fan control - using a bus cable for communication.

The final installation provided the customer with a (580 dollar savings in gas within a 6000 square foot home)

Installing KNX in this log home also provided less holes to drill for light switches and thermostats. All the control devices (switch, motion sensor, temperature sensor, thermostats) are sitting on one bus cable - that means that the bus cable will go from the automation panel to a switch then to the next and to the next - so practically the house needs 1 cable for switches and sensors. Many switches are coming with a built- in temperature sensor and some with a moisture sensor. Back Boxes of these switches are round - a 68mm hole saw makes the job - no need to make square holes.

Wires for line voltage lights were run from the automation panel to the electrical panel.