Intelligent control units for the KNX Smart Home

Cala is a series of buttons, operating displays and sensors for installation in standard switch frames as used in any residential or commercial building. The devices are certified for the international building bus standard KNX. This means that their functions are individually configurable and commands and measured values are shared over the bus. For example, the temperature is measured and used for automatic climate control in the room.

Button functions are adapted to the room and the needs of the user. Free automation modules such as logic links are also available. All this makes the Cala series an important component in the "Smart Home" or "Smart Building".

The connecting design feature is the continuous real glass surface with air slots above and below. Ventilation is necessary because all Cala devices have integrated sensors that monitor the room climate invisibly for the user. The unpretentious appearance matches many switch frames and furnishing styles.

Wind direction detection for optimum protection of buildings and technology

The Weather Station Suntracer KNX pro for the KNX building bus system measures temperature, wind speed, wind direction, brightness, air humidity and air pressure. It recognises precipitation and receives the GPS signal for time and location. In addition, using location coordinates and the time, it calculates the exact position of the sun (azimuth and elevation).

All values can be used for the control of limit dependent switching outputs. States can be linked via AND logic gates and OR logic gates. Multi-function modules change input data as required by means of calculations, querying a condition, or converting the data point type.

The integrated shade control system allows intelligent sun protection control of up to 12 facades.

Highlights

• Ultrasonic wind measurement (speed, direction)
• Brightness measurement, sun position calculation (GPS)
• Detection of temperature, humidity, air pressure
• Rain detector
• Sun protection control for 12 façades

Jardana Irrigation Control Ensures Healthy Plants via App

One's own garden is more important and popular than ever. Whether farm gardens, small artfully designed landscapes, playgrounds or growing one's own vegetables, the trend towards the garden as a living space continues. However, hot summers in recent years have shown that many types of plants need regular watering. But not everyone can or wants to drag a can through the garden or a hose across the lawn every morning and evening. Even the most ambitious gardener faces the problem of plants drying out during a holiday absence. Whether it's a prized tree or a home-grown tomato, just a few days away can wipe out invested money and energy.

This is where our new product Jardana comes in handy: Jardana is the first automatic irrigation controller that can also be integrated into the KNX building bus system.

The irrigation control, which won the iF Award 2023, consists of a combination of hardware (valve unit, sensors) and app and thus has a contemporary format for Smart Home applications. A major advantage is that the control also works independently of KNX, as a stand-alone solution.

Jardana thus offers an easy entry into the topic of smart gardening and is at the same time expandable in a future-proof manner. In this way, it can make a sustainable contribution to successful and resource-saving gardening for years to come.

Highlights

• Save water and garden sustainably
• 4 watering zones
• Daily watering cycles and water-free days for good root growth & strong plants
• Simple operation via app or browser
• Expandable with soil moisture sensors
• Can be combined with the KNX bus system

KNX push-button in a trendy design for innovative room climate control

The KNX eTR 102 FC room temperature controller for fan coil air conditioning systems redefines room climate control. The thermostat  with fan speed control is part of our eTR series and impresses with its modern, intuitive user interface and can be used with many heating and cooling systems via KNX.

KNX eTR 102 FC controls both the heating/cooling unit and the blower fan of fan coil systems. The KNX application offers comprehensive automatic room temperature control for one or two-stage heating and cooling. This allows the fan coil system to be easily combined with underfloor heating or surface cooling, for example. You can choose between PI or 2-point control and thus have all the options of KNX HVAC control, including speed control for fan coil.

To operate the room controller, use the touch surfaces with icons and feedback LEDs for manual operation of the system. This makes setting the room climate very easy: the fan can be switched to three levels, the automatic or the complete control can be switched on and off.

The temperature display is easy to read and lights up permanently or only while the device is being operated, as required. The temperature is measured directly in the appliance so that no additional sensor needs to be installed. However, if an additional temperature sensor is to be included, this is also possible with the KNX eTR 102 FC: The control then works with a previously defined mixed value from the internal and external value. With such a room average value, the temperature control is even better adapted to the room utilisation.

Highlights

• Room climate controller/thermostat
  
• Glass surface with temperature display and +/- touch keys
  
• Control of the fan speed in 3 levels
  
• Installation with or without socket

Elsner Windancer KNX: Weather station for smart shading

The Windancer KNX weather station provides the most important weather and outdoor data for a building automated with KNX. And not only that: the Windancer KNX-GPS model also controls the sun protection on up to 8 façades at the same time. Perfect for the private Smart Home, but also for an apartment building, a company headquarters or an office building. A façade is a group of shades such as blinds, awnings or roller shutters with the same automatic settings. In a smart home, for example, this could be the four sides of the building, plus a separate setting for the recessed area on the terrace.

Solar protection …

The sun sensor is the core of the shading system. There are two Windancer models: Windancer KNX has three sun sensors and reports the brightness from the east, south and west. Windancer KNX-GPS reports the highest of the three measured values. The device calculates the current position of the sun from time and position. The data for this is provided by an integrated GPS receiver. One advantage of this method is that the weather station can control the shades precisely according to the height and direction of the sun. The slats are therefore only closed so far that no direct sun shines in. It is even possible to define how far the sun is allowed to shine into the room, i.e. where the shadow edge should run along the floor.

… and protection of sunshades

The other sensor values of the Windancer help to protect the building and especially the sunshade hangings from unfavourable weather. Sensitive awnings are retracted in case of rain or snow. The heated sensor ignores dew and fog and reacts quickly when the precipitation stops. The "Rain Yes/No" information can also be used for window control in the KNX system.

In frosty weather, shades remain retracted so that they do not freeze in the rails. Many a blind or roof awning has torn because the motor pulled on the cable and fabric and the rail was iced up. The frost alarm reliably prevents this. The outdoor temperature also becomes interesting when it gets too hot. Then the sunshade is moved to the set heat protection position. This keeps radiant heat out, even if other conditions of the sun control automation are not fulfilled. The temperature value of the Windancer KNX can of course also be used for other controls in the KNX system, for example for heating or air conditioning.

In the event of a wind alarm, blinds and awnings are retracted and blocked for manual operation. This prevents storm damage. The wind speed is commonly used for ventilation control via KNX, too.

Timers

For roller shutters and blinds, time switches are an important part of the automation. With Windancer KNX-GPS, this is realised in two steps. First, sequences for daily events are defined in the weekly time switch. In the internal logic module, the sequence can then be combined with events so that important alarms from wind or rain are also taken into account in time functions.

With the calendar timer, events are defined that change with the seasons. In doing so, the time switching is only carried out in a defined date range.

You can find more information about the Windancer KNX weather station here:

https://www.elsner-elektronik.de/en/cup-anemomenter-wind-measurement