Submitted by Guy Kasier on Tue, 2008-05-13 17:18.
1. Introduction
The term “integrated home systems” is increasingly used when referring to modern electrical installations in homes. This term also raises a few problems, however. It is a container term. Everybody has his own understanding of it. People can be at cross purposes when talking about integrated home systems, and can actually be talking about different things. A young technology needs this like a hole in the head. In order to avoid mistakes, confusion and abuse, we endeavour to define the term “integrated home systems” here. We will analyse the key words of the definition and give practical examples. We will also look at why it is now, and not 30 years ago or in 30 years’ time, that we want to use integrated home systems. We will discuss the difference between integrated home systems and building automation, and we will present the argument why we prefer not to use the term “home automation”.
2. The situation without integrated home systems
In the first instance we will look at the traditional electrical installation, the domestic electrical appliances that we use every day, and the various subsystems within the home.
2.1. History of the electrical installation
The emergence of the electrical installation was not in fact so long ago. It was only in 1879 that Alva Edison developed an improved version of the incandescent lamp invented by Joseph Swan. As of that moment the gaslights, oil lamps and candles were gradually replaced by the new electrical light source. Power sockets in the home only became commonplace as of around 1920. The Singer electric sewing machines then came into the home, and the electrical installation for the home was born. It did not amount to very much. A light and a switch were placed in every room. A power socket was put in certain rooms.
2.1.1. The traditional electrical installation
Today the traditional electrical installation has not changed much, although the materials used and the safety standards of course have done. However, the installation still has the same basic structure as before. Supply cables come from the fuse box to a switch. This in turn is connected by cables to a client, for example a light. Once an installation has been put in place, it can hardly be changed. The flexibility of the traditional electrical installation is negligibly small. The potential provided by traditional installations can also be described as limited. Nevertheless, most newly built homes and major renovations today are still done today according to this traditional method. This is in contrast to the fact that the community and the individual today want greater flexibility, comfort and safety.
The structure of a traditional electrical installation. (Illustration source: E&D Systems)
eCourse on Integrated Home Systems
* Chapter 1 - Definition of integrated home systems
o 1. Introduction
o 2. The situation without integrated home systems
+ 2.1. History of the electrical installation
# 2.1.1. The traditional electrical installation
# 2.1.2. The installation with remote-controlled switches
# 2.1.3. Lighting control systems
# 2.1.4. Other intelligent control systems
+ 2.2. Electricity clients in the home
+ 2.3. Quality time
+ 2.4. Problem
o 3. Definition of integrated home systems
# 4. Analysis of the definition
* 4.1. Integrated system
o 4.1.1. Example of integration
* 4.2. All electrical equipment
* 4.3. Home
* 4.4. Increasing comfort
* 4.5. Increasing flexibility
* 4.5.1. Long term flexibility
* 4.5.2. Short term flexibility
* 4.6. Increasing communication
* 4.7. Increasing safety and security
* 4.7.1. Fire protection
* 4.7.2. Security against burglars
* 4.7.3. The panic button
* 4.7.4. Personal alarm
* 4.8. Improving energy consumptiono 4. Analysis of the definition
o 5. Integrated home systems versus other systems
* 5.1. Home automation
* 5.2. Building automation
* Chapter 2 - Integrated home system functions
* 1. Introduction
* 2. Thinking in terms of integrated home systems versus traditional thinking
* The intentions of the residents
* 3. Functions in integrated home systems
* Example
* 4. Specific functions of integrated home systems
* 4.1. Light path to the children's room
* 4.2. Light path to the WC
* 4.3. Little Eva is awake
* 4.4. Surgeon D. is on call
* 4.5. Corridor lighting 100% during the day and 30% at night
* 4.6. Mood buttons in the living room and kitchen
* 4.7. Intelligent all out button
* 4.8. Bathroom fan
* 4.9. Stairwell controller with flashing LED
* 5. Identifying requirements