New Home With C-Bus 2 - How do i connect?

Hello all
We just purchased a new home that has a CBUS-2 system for the lighting control.

It is working OK but I would like to change some of the scenes and learn more about the system. Only thing is... I can't for the life of me work out how to connect my laptop to the CBUS. I have toolkit installed but that is about as far as I have managed to get.

I have seen mention of a serial port to USB adaptor being required, but for the life of me I cannot find a serial port anywhere.

There is a PoE adaptor with some sort of cat5 cable going into it from the wall which remains a mystery but I dont know if that is associated with the CBUS?

Have posted some photos of visible CBUS equipment. Is there something else I need to locate in order to connect?

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

Also, any known C-BUS electricians down in Hobart people can recommend?

 

To connect to Cbus to make changes you need a Cbus interface device. These are generally not provided as standard in domestic installs and your pictures doesn't show one. You can get Serial (5500PC), USB (5500PCU) or network (5500CN). Network interfaces are also included in several automation controllers like the WIser I and II and the SHAC. That box in the last picture has nothing to do with Cbus.

Once you have an interface you can download the programming app called Toolkit from the Clipsal website for free.

 

Thankyou for your reply Ashley!
That makes sense and clarifies what I have been reading here on the forums.
In regards to a unit like the Wiser II. They look quite straight forward to connect in the installation manual. Would you say these are DIYable or would i be wise (excuse the pun) to find a sparky with cbus experience?
I am quite experienced with computer systems and programing but it does look like I would need to open one of the CBUS panels and get a CBUS cat 5 output for the wiser II.

 

The Wiser II is low voltage so there is no problem installing one yourself. Getting hold of one could be a problem as they have been superseded by the SHAC, but stocks are still around. Setting them up is not difficult if you have reasonable programming and I.T. skills.

Cbus cables are pink and you can hook on a new cable wherever you can find one. (It's not point to point like ethernet). The easiest place is usually at the back of a switch which is also the safest since there is no mains voltage there. Note that you only need the blue and oranges pairs (which are paralleled) for a domestic install so you can leave the brown/green disconnected at the switch end. (they probably are anyway in most installs)