Lighting Control and Comfort

[juwi_uk]

Hi

I want to find a retrofit solution for my lights to control via Comfort.

I\'ve been playing with X10 but to me retrofitting seems too \'ard because most of my lights are either energy saving on flourescent and my switch wiring has now neutral (as common in the UK).   Add to this some switches are doubles and even have one treble faceplate (though I would probably convert this to 2 faceplates).

I dont care about dimming in 95% of the lights as most bulbs are the above types so not dimmable anway (though I see some dimmerable CFL\'s are appearing on the market); just want them ON or OFF.

I thought about mounting the \"appliance\" type modules in the ceiling near to the lighting junction boxes (where there is a neutral wire) as easier than chiselling out the wall to get a neutral to the switch....   Dont know if this would work or is best practice etc.

The thought of moving all wiring back to a central DIN rail junction box would mean basically trashing most upstairs floors in the house (which are chipboard, yuk!!).

Anyone got any ideas?

Is there something better than X10 to make retrofiting easier?

J

 

[slychiu]

I suggest you look at Clipsals\' Ulti switches. These can be retrofitted to normal. UK wall switches and do not require the Neutral wire. See http://www.cbus-shop.com/index.php?cPath=33

[slychiu]

I forgot to mention that the UCM/Ulti is able to control Ulti devices, see https://www.cytech.biz/Default.aspx?cmd=...AInw%3d%3d&productid=81&categoryid=9&pageindex=

[juwi_uk]

At about £200 per switch though hardly a cheap solution.

[juwi_uk]

It would be good if Cytech could produce a features comparison sheet of all of the mainstream lighting interfaces it connects too and what the differences are.

Only needs to be a chart.  Maybe even start one off and allow the forum to add too (the people that have the expereince in each area and can tick/untick a feature).

For example one thing I note with a lot of the comfort integrations is that they are one-way (Comfort -> Lighting System);  so which interfaces then are able to receive commands back or status?  So if I pick an Ulti solution and interface with comfort (just an example) if i turn on a light through Comfort and then turn it off via the room switch, what state does comfort think it\'s at; on or off?

So I for one (may be alone) would appreciate an intergration  features comparison chart.

Also the new firmware/comfigurator versions alude to an improved ZWave integration;  any specs you can publish on what it\'ll do extra?

J