Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 May 30, 2014 11:50 am I've been keeping an eye on CBUS for a few years now and I finally have an opportunity to potentially go down the CBUS path after my wife asked for a timer/sensor for the lights out the front. So I figured I would take her rather simple request and take it as far as I can to get started with home automation. My main questions are: I eventually want to re-wire the whole house for CBUS, but for now would only be looking to do one switch to control two lights. Is this going to be an issue, or is it just a waste of time? Can I re-wire some parts of the house, then easily re-wire the rest later? I've read that Cat 6 cable is useless for CBUS, is this correct? I am assuming that I have to replace my light switches? (this might be a sticking point with the wife as we have heritage light switches) What are the CBUS components I would need? Re: Getting started with CBUS 2May 30, 2014 12:19 pm iamjase My main questions are: I eventually want to re-wire the whole house for CBUS, but for now would only be looking to do one switch to control two lights. Is this going to be an issue, or is it just a waste of time? Can I re-wire some parts of the house, then easily re-wire the rest later? You can re-wire, how easy it is depends on whether an electrician can get access to the switch wiring easily (single story with ceiling access is pretty easy, two story or cathedral ceilings are hard). You can also use the wireless range - these work well with retro-fit because they go in place of your existing switches (although see below re heritage switches). Wired C-Bus separates the low voltage switches from the relays/dimmers that actually control the lights - these come in 4/8/12 way modules - which are installed at a suitable, central location. Quote: I've read that Cat 6 cable is useless for CBUS, is this correct? It depends on what you mean by that. Cat 6 cable that has been installed for networking purposes doesn't really help C-Bus (except that you can get modules that connect between C-Bus and the data network so that you can program and control it from a computer/phone/tablet). The C-Bus modules are connected by low-voltage cable. The Clipsal supplied cable is cat-5e, but you can use cat-5e or Cat 6. Unlike data cabling where you have a "star" configuration with individual cable runs from a central point to each data point, C-Bus is a bus where units are simply connected to series. It is topology free so, you can link modules in series, parallel or star-configurations and mix and match. This makes it very flexible when it comes to adding new modules/switches as you can just tap in where convenient. Quote: I am assuming that I have to replace my light switches? (this might be a sticking point with the wife as we have heritage light switches) With wired C-Bus you can use the c-bus coupler. This connects between you existing switches and the C-Bus cable and lets the existing switch state toggle the lights. You need enough room behind the wall to install the coupler and you can't do some of the "fancy" stuff like dimming or selecting a scene like you can with the full C-Bus switches, but you can still do this from a mobile device such as a tablet Quote: What are the CBUS components I would need? If you want to go with the wireless option then you would need a one or two-channel wireless switch (depending on how many circuits yu want to control), a wired-to-wireless gateway, a power supply, a movement sensor and an Ethernet module to allow you to program this setup from your computer. If you are going to use only wired then you will need a dimmer/relay unit, a power supply, an appropriate switch unit and the Ethernet module if you want computer connection While I like C-Bus and would definitely recommend it for new construction, you might also want to look at Z-Wave. It is a wireless system and works much like the C-Bus coupler I described where you can connect your existing switches to it, but it doesn't need external dimmers/relays - they are built into the module that goes behind the switch. Re: Getting started with CBUS 3May 30, 2014 2:47 pm Thanks Paul, all very helpful. Regarding Z-wave and CBUS; down the track I would want to do things with door locks, the garage door, heating, integrate with the alarm etc - Is z-wave still a viable option for those applications? We're lucky to have good access in our roof, and we would probably go the wired option. I'm assuming we could install the switches and power supply in the garage and then run the cables to the switches from there? Re: Getting started with CBUS 5May 30, 2014 7:17 pm iamjase Thanks Paul, all very helpful. Regarding Z-wave and CBUS; down the track I would want to do things with door locks, the garage door, heating, integrate with the alarm etc - Is z-wave still a viable option for those applications? Z-Wave is probably better that C-Bus for door locks because it is wireless. There are also Z-Wave thermostats, but integrating with heating in Australia can be tricky because systems tend to have dedicated controllers that can't easily be replaced with a standard thermostat, but if all you need is relays closing then either C-Bus or Z-Wave can do it. Quote: We're lucky to have good access in our roof, and we would probably go the wired option. I'm assuming we could install the switches and power supply in the garage and then run the cables to the switches from there? Yes. Use a product like Equisol's Vitalise to clean the deck then coat with a penetrating timber oil. It will look 10 years younger and add value to your home. Visit for… 1 15764 How much are you ahead in payments compared to where the build is at? Have you fully drawn down the loan? 5 11893 Finding the right construction lawyer can be a bit daunting, especially when you've had some challenges in your search. It's essential to have someone reliable and… 7 24887 |