Building Automation System

KNX is an international recognized standard which covers every automation aspect of home and building control. This standard is adopted by more than 500 members. Some of the key benefits of KNX are:

• Excellent compatibility between KNX devices from different manufacturers
• Endless different automation solutions available in the market (over 10.000 certified KNX products are available)
• Manufacturer independent software (ETS)
• Future proof technology
• Secure system options available
• Easy integration into other BAS (sub)systems, such as Modbus, BACnet & DALI
• Large community and high acceptance rate
• Effortless installation and endless possibilities to expand

With KNX system, users are nowadays able to control all kinds of application devices under the roof of their smart building. KNX IoT (Internet of things) further allows the users to control via KNX app from mobile devices to achieve KNX wireless, which is communicated via KNX IP or KNX RF. Setting up lighting and heating of the building is easier than ever: blinds can now be shut, doors can be locked with one simple touch on the screen. Not only have living and working environments become more convenient and secure, but they are now also more energy-efficient and economical.

The architecture of the KNX lighting system consists of KNX power supply that supplies the KNX bus and KNX switch actuator which is used to control the LED driver by simply turning on or off. In addition, a KNX presence detector can also be installed to automatically control the light when human or moving objects have been detected.

KNX lighting control systems can be divided into two types:  Analog lighting systems and Digital lighting systems. Analog systems tend to be more flexible when it comes to the control over lighting devices, whereas digital lighting systems have as advantage more comprehensive control and the possibility to read out data from the KNX device directly such as power consumption and lamp failure.

Analog lighting systems are in general a combination of KNX actuator, KNX dimming actuator and/or KNX phase cut actuators. These actuators are powered and controlled via the KNX bus and can switch on/off the AC mains by means of a relay. Whereas dimming is achievable by a 0-10V/1-10V signal or by cutting of a phase.

Main advantages of these analog systems are that, in principle, any type of drivers or ballasts can be connected to the KNX actuator, and that a single KNX actuator would allow to switch on all connected fixtures, ballast and or drivers.
Disadvantages of analog systems are that additional wire installation is needed to transfer the 0-10V/1-10V signal, so different wire lengths could result in different light output of the light source, and there could be compatibility issues between KNX Phase cut actuator and phase cut driver.

Currently, there are few options available to make a direct digital lighting control in KNX (or other BAS) systems. The most common solution for a digital lighting system implementation in a BAS is by using a subsystem, and one of the most accepted digital lighting systems is DALI. DALI is an open protocol focusing on lighting control and is accepted by most lighting manufacturers. To create a subsystem in a KNX system, a KNX DALI Gateway is needed to translate KNX commands into DALI commands.

Advantages of Digital Lighting System:

• Easier installation and less wires as it is a bus system with addressable components
• Light levels can be controlled precisely and will be consistent despite the cable lengths
• Read data (Lamp failure, Power consumption)
• Emergency function
• CLO light compensation (LED’s age over the time and CLO will compensate the light output)
• Logarithmic dimmable
• Color control and complex scene setting

Disadvantages of Digital Lighting System:

• Higher cost of the components in the system
• Knowledge is needed for setting up ETS and DALI
• Additional gateway needed
• Gateway is a single point of failure

One of the drawbacks of using a subsystem for Digital lighting control is the need of gateways which generates additional costs and creates a single point of failure in a digital lighting system. Also, one would need to have the knowledge of 2 different protocols to set up the lighting system.

One should consider why using 2 different protocols when the KNX protocol has all functions to make a direct digital control over a lighting system? MEAN WELL is one of the first manufacturers offering KNX LED drivers which can be controlled directly over the KNX BUS. This is an economical solution as it simplifies the installation by using a single protocol, saving cost of KNX Dali Gateway and removing single point of failures.

MEAN WELL KNX LED drivers are available as constant current drivers (LCM-25KN, LCM-40KN and LCM-60KN) and constant voltage dimmable LED drivers (PWM-60-KN, PWM-120-KN and PWM-200-KN) with a PWM frequency which can be setup up to 4kHz. The details of these drivers can be found here: KNX Building Automation Solution-MEAN WELL

More information about digital lighting control: Better than DALI: KNX Lighting – All About MEAN WELL Power Supplies

A KNX blind control or KNX shutter control system is an important element in creating an efficient energy-saving system in modern smart buildings.

Blind and shutter control systems are usually triggered by data provided by KNX Room controllers, KNX Weather stations and/or KNX Light Sensors. Based on the inputs of these devices and the settings made in the ETS software, KNX shutter actuators are triggered to set blinds and shutters in optimal positions to provide energy efficiency, shading and visual comfort.

A simple example of a blind control system is a light sensor installed to measure the sunshine radiation value of a specific indoor space. With collected data, a KNX shutter actuator is programmed via ETS software to control the shading system: when the sunshine is strong, the corresponding blinds or curtain of the wall will be closed to provide shielding, and vice versa.

KNX shutter actuators are the key element in KNX Blind control systems, ensuring the comfort of the indoor environment and promoting the energy efficiency of the smart building. For this, MEAN WELL offers the compact-sized KAA-8R which can control electrical shutter, blinds or curtains systems.

KNX is the leading system to create an intelligent controlled heating and ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC) system. In the market, there are many KNX HVAC solutions available, such as KNX room temperature controllers, Fan Coil controllers and temperature sensors which form the input to manage KNX heating actuators, KNX valve controls, KNX ventilator controller, actuators, and many more to manage climate and environment efficiently and comfortably inside buildings.

Efficient KNX HVAC systems can consist of a KNX temperature sensor to measure the temperature value of the office or a specific indoor space. With these values, a logic controller can control the heating system and adjust the room temperature. To meet this kind application, MEAN WELL has developed the KNX bus power supply KNX-20E and KNX-40E to provide KNX equipment power. The KNX switch actuator, KAA-8R can control the heating circuit and switch on/off the heater on the heat sink or in the underfloor heating system. Depending on the device model and parameter settings, the heating system can be controlled via switching parameters or pulse width adjustment (PWM). It is not only suitable for private residences, but also for commercial building usages, such as office buildings, schools, and hotels.

MEAN WELL KNX system product line consists of KNX power supply for KNX bus network, KNX-DALI gateway and KNX-LED drivers. For flexible building management, MEAN WELL KNX actuator can be used to control lighting and HVAC systems. MEAN WELL is the industry leader for industrial power supplies, and offers a complete portfolio of power supply solutions for smart building installations such as the compact and highly efficient HDR series in 15W/30W/60W/100W/150W. To sum up, the portfolio of MEAN WELL KNX system is the intelligent solution for networking, controlling, and powering Smart Buildings.