Where to get started with C-Bus?

Hello all,

I've been asked to help with a project involving a C-Bus implementation.
There is a C-Bus installation in place, that was installed a couple of years ago, and the requirements have changed.
I'm currently putting together a new requirements doc, and I'd like to better understand the C-Bus system so that I can make informed decisions / suggestions.
I come from an IT background.
Where should I go to get a grounding in C-Bus?

Thanks for your time.

 

Traditionally CBUS is an ehancement to home power systems which runs on a serial data network over Cat5. It controls inputs from keypads and sensors and outputs from dimmers and relays. The outputs can be 240V or dry contacts. The inputs can be a variety of keypads, touchpanels, sensor systems. CBUS can be interfaced with a LAN, USB or Serial link to a laptop or PC running windows. Here you can code which button has which function and the time intervals they control.

The layout of CBUS is mostly a star topology for both the data network and power. One of the main advantages of CBUS is that when you install the system you do not need to know which button doe what. You only need to make proper connections and let the programming do the rest. This means that you can run CBUS on many levels of a building and connect the floors to a common riser. As you increase the complexity of a building project, CBUS gives you more control. For small homes it is a cheap and wonderful retrofit. For large homes it is essential. Now you will find that CBUS has many other gateways to iPad and iPhone and all kinds of other control systems such as Crestron and AMX. When you look at CBUS, think of Gigabit networking in a world where everyone else is still working with dial-up modems.

If you want excellent advice ... consider going to CEDIA Exhibition in 2012. It is only a few weeks away. www.cedia.com.au

Or .... visit a CBUS showroom.

 

Clipsal run a bunch of training courses to help get people started. Assuming things haven't changed recently, the cost of the basic training course is roughly equivalent to the value of C-Bus equipment that you are given to keep after doing the course.

To get a feel for the basics, there's an on-line questionnaire to do as part of the registration process that will actually show you the fundamentals, so it's worth a look just for that.