Run your home remotely with IoT

The continuing evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) technology is redefining the world in which we live and the ways we interact with that technology. It is now possible for systems to control power, security and HVAC in offices and homes.

“Today’s building automation professionals must consider the growing need for full and seamless integration, which incorporates a variety of different components and elements,” explains James Calmeyer, Vice President Southern Africa Buildings division, Schneider Electric South Africa.

These specialist system controls can include:

• Power distribution
• HVAC
• Door entry
• Presence detectors
• Security
• Audio/video
• Emergency lighting

“Schneider Electric offers technology, combined with aesthetics, to upgrade homes and offices to EcoStruxure Buildings Operation or KNX, where tasks are automated, allowing occupants to benefit from technology and save on power bills.

“Remote-controlled dimmers and shutters put the perfect ambiance within reach at all times. Presence detectors provide another kind of convenience. By automatically lighting a room when you enter, they eliminate any fumbling for a switch in the dark. Presence detectors save energy too, by turning the lights off automatically after you leave.”

“Schneider Electric offers Wiser, a full home control solution, integrating heating and lighting management into a single, user-friendly solution. Forgot to turn off the bathroom light? Do it from your phone or office computer. Want to save on bills? Programme your home with multi-room heating and appliance management schemes.

“Whether the project in question is residential or a small to midsize building, a Light & Room Control solution, which successfully integrates all these disparate elements, can provide the comprehensive collection of applications required by the full range of users. It will be able to provide comfort and convenience to building occupants and deliver efficiency and reliability to service providers in various areas such as security, operation & maintenance, energy and cleaning.

“Each of these providers needs a specific Internet access to a single BMS-in-a-box. This allows each user to access the information he needs and gives him the ability to issue various commands in the building.

“Though home automation and mid-market building automation solutions are the targets for a variety of connected systems, most homeowners and facility managers aren’t equipped to cope with the cost and complexity of a building supervision system.

“Because of these constraints, powerful controllers are a critical feature of solutions serving these markets. Such controllers include helpful features such as:

• Monitoring and trending
• Alarming
• Automation
• Multi-protocol connectivity
• Embedded web server
• Cyber-security

“Below is a typical light and room control architecture example that illustrates what these capabilities look like in a system configuration implemented by a Light & Room Control EcoXpert. In this case, the project covers the core applications required by a mid-size office building are lighting & blind control, HVAC control and monitoring of energy & power.

“Schneider Electric experts are delivering value-add to customers all over the world for their home and small building automation; in South Africa, we too are ready to introduce this to the market,” concludes Calmeyer.

Edited by Daniëlle Kruger
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