HVAC An integral part
of any Home Automation System. Simply stated
"Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning". These
devices include Thermostats with X-10, RS-485, or RS-232 interfaces
that allow remote control using X-10 transmitters, Receivers,
or Computer Control. A great way to save energy, these thermostats
can be controlled from within your home or on the road. Also
included are motorized dampers to control air flow, and remote
temperature sensors to monitor remote (outdoor) temperature.
Combined with X-10 Computer Control, these devices can be "set
back" for energy savings any time you leave your home for
any length of time. Back to Top |
Infrared Light
that is below the spectrum of Human Vision, therefore "invisible".
Most modern televisions and Audio Video Appliances (A/V) utilize
infrared remote controls to transmit infrared light to a receiver
hidden behind the face of the appliance to control, Audio, channel
selection, etc. Back to Top |
Infrared Connecting Block
A connecting block that can be wall mounted or mounted behind
a piece of furniture, and allows for the connection of four
or eight infrared emitters via small plug-in jacks. Most connecting
blocks also have a plug for an infrared receiver. Signals received
by this receiver will in turn be transmitted locally by the
emitters, or repeated to other Infrared connecting blocks which
can be "chained" or wired together from room to room
to "repeat" the infrared signals. Some models of Connecting
Blocks are amplified and will allow the connection of many emitters,
others are not and typically only handle four emitters.
Interfacing to Home Automation is simple; you can turn off all
of the televisions in the house when you leave.
Back to Top |
Infrared Emitter There
are several style of infrared emitters, but all perform the
same task. They emit infrared light that is sent by a remote
controller, whether it be a computer interface, handheld control,
or "repeated" from another room. Emitters are
available in a "mini" emitter which actually adheres
to the from of the appliance (a micro-thin wire is easily concealed),
"Blast" emitters which can transmit the signal across
a room. Back to Top |
Infrared Receiver
Like emitters, infrared receivers can be installed throughout
the home to receive infrared signals from a transmitter. This
will allow you to send an infrared signal from one room and
repeat it to the stereo in a remote room to control volume for
example, or mute the TV. These too are available in a variety
of styles; Wall mount to an electrical box, table top, cylindrical
for inserting in a small hole in furniture, etc, or integrated
into a Volume Control. Back to Top |
Macro A Group of Commands executed sequentially,
such as One Touch control to turn All Lights off. Back
to Top |
Microphones and Mixers
Used in conjunction with Voice Recognition
Home Automation
Software, these devices are of the same quality used by recording
and sound engineers to capture human voices. Accurate sound
reproduction is a must. Back to Top |
Power Supply A plug in device that converts
household voltage to a lower voltage for use with electronic
components and controllers.
Back to Top |
RS-232 A data protocol common to computers
communications port (COM Port). Back to
Top |
RS-485 A data protocol used for transmitting
data over longer distances more reliably. Back
to Top |
Voice Recognition Software
Home Automation Software that can run on a 200 MHz PC or faster to interface
to X-10, Infrared, Security Panels, Weather Stations and More
to Control your home by voice command. Back to
Top |
X-10 Code named project
X-10 at it's inception over twenty years ago this power line
carrier protocol has become the defacto standard for Home Automation
lighting and Appliance control. X-10 communicates between transmitters
and receivers by sending and receiving signals over the existing
power line wiring. These signals involve short RF bursts which
represent digital information. X-10 transmissions are synchronized
to the zero crossing point of the AC power line. The signals
are sent only on the same phase as transmitted on. Back
to Top
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X-10 Controllers These are
remote devices or transmitters which allow you to control the
variety of receivers installed on your household wiring. There
are a wide range of devices available. Some devices simply plug
in to electrical outlets. Others are hard wired. Most have push-buttons
to generate the X-10 signal, but some function only as timers.
Push a button for the corresponding lights turn on or off. Other
examples are motion detectors, hand held wireless remotes, Telephone
Line Interfaces, etc. Back to Top |
X-10 Computer Control
There are a variety of Hardware and Software products that permit
users to input data for each X-10 device, and then control it
through the computer's GUI (Graphic User Interface), load the
program into a standalone controller, or even control
the devices by Voice !! In this fashion, the computer program
or standalone controller "runs the house". Schedules,
macros and If, Then situations can be handled by the Interface.
Back to Top |
X-10 Coupler/Repeater This
device combines the features of an X-10 Coupler with the ability
to amplify X-10 signals and repeat them across both phases of
larger homes. Recommended in homes over 2500 square feet. Back
to Top |
X-10 Filter This device can
be used to block electrical noise that would normally interfere
with X-10 signals, from ceiling fans, dishwashers, Halogen Lights,
or Computers to name a few devices. Back
to Top |
X-10 Phase Coupler, or Passive
Coupler This device is really nothing more than a
simple capacitor that when wired to your circuit breaker panel
allows the X-10 signals to pass between phases of household
wiring. Don't underestimate the importance of this device.
Every installation should have one installed, or the X-10 signal
must pass from the house, out to the Utility Company transformer
in order to return back into the home (much weaker) on the other
phase. The key to successful installations is proper coupling
and filtering. Back to Top |
X-10 Receivers As the name
implies, these devices are used to receive X-10 signals which
are transmitted over your existing power lines. Examples are
Wall receptacles, Light Switches, Lamp Modules, Appliance Modules,
Relay Modules, Chime Modules, and Siren Modules. Back
to Top |
PLC Stands for
Power Line Carrier or Professional Lighting Control (Also; Peter
Likes Chicken). Lightolier Controls Compose PLC products work
like X-10 Devices to
communicate between transmitters and receivers by sending and
receiving signals over the existing power line wiring. These
signals involve short RF bursts which represent digital
information. PLC transmissions are synchronized to the zero
crossing point of the AC power line. All PLC Systems require the
use of a Firewall to ensure proper transmission. Back
to Top |
Compose PLC Firewall
serves four purposes in Home Automation and Lighting Control
Systems:
1. It couples the phases of the electrical service into the
property.
2. It Amplifies the signal received and redistributes it on each
lighting circuit connected to the firewall.
3. It acts as a traffic cop, controlling the timing of Powerline
Carrier Signals to avoid collisions.
4. Installing Firewalls for only the lighting circuits keeps
electrical noise out of the Professional Lighting Controls
because devices such as dishwashers, refrigerators, air
handlers, and pool pumps are not connected to the Firewall(s)
Back
to Top |
Room
Master Keypad (CM Series) This device communicates
with Compose PLC CP series Dimmers to set beautiful lighting
scenes within a room and will accept X10 pre-set dim commands
from outside devices to adjust various scenes remotely.
Custom engraved back-lit buttons add
to the appeal of this product. It will NOT communicate with CI
(Individual) Dimmers. Basically these devices control local
dimmers and variable speed fan controls. Back
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House Master Keypad (CP
Series) This Device Communicates with Any Compose PLC CI
Series Dimmer and Also will Communicate with CP Series Room
Keypads. This Device might be installed near the headboard
in the Master Bedroom, or near a main entry to allow control of
all of the lighting within the home, emergency lighting, or
supervision of a child's room lights. Like the Room Master
Keypad this device can be custom engraved
and is backlit for great visibility. Because it provides two
way communication with PLC devices, it accurately reflects the
status of the lights in a given area. Back
to Top |
Compose Individual Dimmer
This device is designed to work with the
Compose PLC Firewall and provides for individual dimming in
hallways, bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, garages, etc. where
scene control is not required. These devices are also X10
compatible and will work with virtually any home automation
controller that supports X10 or Compose PLC. These devices
are "two-way" they transmit and receive X10 and Compose PLC
signals. Back
to Top |
Compose Preset Dimmer
This device is designed to work with the
Compose PLC Firewall and provides for scene control within a
room such as family room, kitchen, theater, or any room
where multiple dimmers are to be controlled by one Keypad.
These devices communicate ONLY with CP Series Keypads in Compose
PLC Format and are NOT X10 compatible. Home Automation
controllers must communicate to the CP Series Keypad, which in
turn communicates with the CP Series Preset Dimmer Back
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