Lifestyle Automation - Glossary of Terms

Actuator

Remote controlled electrical motor that can be used to move a door, close a valve, raise a panel, etc.

Addressable System

Generally speaking a configuration where each node or component can be addressed uniquely. In old security and fire alarm systems, the detectors were wired in a loop and there was no way to know which one had raised the alarm (other than at loop level). New systems use detectors with an address which can be read by the control unit or are wired directly to the unit.

DMX or DMX512

A protocol used in the entertainment industry (theatres, discos, shows) to control lights using the RS485 bus. Supports up to 512 channels - however, it must be noted that to control a single moving theatre light one may need as many as 16 channels. To be superseded by ACN (Advanced Control Network) over tcp/ip.

EIB (European Installation Bus)

A protocol developed by Insta, a meeting of German electrical manufacturers.

Lonworks

A protocol used ....

Thermostat, Communicating

A device which senses ambient temperature relative to a set point and in turns, switch a circuit on or off equipped with a (normally) RS485 interface and capable of being interrogated.

PLC.

Abbreviation for 'power line carrier'. Refers to any protocol capable of communicating using pre-existing main voltage wiring.

Pre Wiring

Term used to describe the lying of all the wires required to install the various automation systems. This is usually done at the time the house/extension is built or major remodeling is carried out.

Retro-fitting

Term used to describe the installation of automation in existing homes and spaces (as opposed to installations at the time of the house or extension being built or remodeled) and where special care is used to minimise damage to existing fittings and decoration.

RS (as in RS232 or RS485)

Recommended Standard. Defines the physical and electric characteristics of the electronic interface, but leaves other details optional - so two RS485-compatible devices do not necessary talk to each other.

RS232

A low speed (9600bps) two-way two-device (sender and receiver) protocol.

RS485

A low speed (9600bps) two-way multi-device bus protocol. Up to 32 devices can be connected

X10.

A prevalent PLC protocol. Capable of controlling up to 255 devices. Control is on/off/dim.

Valve, Normally Closed/Open

An electromagnetic valve which is normally closed/open (ie. if power is discontinued). Obviously, the default status is chosen as the safer setting for the application in question - so a valve controlling flow of water from main tanks will be normally closed while a valve controlling the drain of water will be normally open.

Zoning

Overloaded term which can equally refer to light, heating, security, fire or audio distribution. Each zone will typically represent an unit of control. So in security systems, it will represent each individual area where you wish to place sensors or other detection equipment. In heating, it will be each area where you want to control heating independently, etc. The guidelines as to what is a zone depend on the size of the space and your intended use. But there are minimum requirements for fire alarm zoning (see British Standard BS5839).

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