All Products Filed in Home Automation and Control

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

With the introduction of its CEN-SWPOE-24 24-port managed 10/100 Ethernet switch with Power over Ethernet (PoE) and dual Gigabit uplink ports, Crestron is providing its dealers with a device that simplifies the installation process.

The switch configures through the use of a web browser and Crestron's Toolbox dealer program, and with it installers can implement a system that integrates a variety of networkable components like touchpanels and keypads without having to add power supplies.

In addition, Crestron includes a front panel management port that enables the mirroring of any rear port to facilitate system monitoring and troubleshooting. Installers can also customize the front panel with unique names to make it easy to identify each port.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Right now Apple's iPad is certainly a hot product for installers to integrate into their home control systems solutions, but there are other touchpanel products on the market that installers can use.

Home Automation, Inc.'s (HAI) new OmniTouchPro home control software is designed to be versatile whole-house control/automation solution that enables CE Pros to use third-party touchpanels in their home automation system installations.

HAI says the software (part number 1131) is the same interface that it runs on its Omnitouch 5.7e, 10p and 10pe touchpanels, and that it will run on most third-party touchpanels that employ Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and Win7.

Once installed and setup as part of a system, the software can be used by homeowners to access and control their security, lighting, HVAC, audio/video and other electronics sub-systems. Installers can also customize the appearance of the interface through the use of color choices, icons, floorplans, room-specific pages and other elements.

Friday, August 20, 2010

iPort is shipping its CM-IW2000 (CM2000) Control Mount for iPad, which has received a "Made For iPad" designation from Apple. The CM2000 allows an Apple iPad to be used as an in-wall touch panel, providing continuous charging of the iPad and connection via Wi-Fi.

Ari Supran, CEO of Dana Innovations, parent company of iPort, Sonance and TRUFIG, says the company is "extremely proud to be licensed by Apple for Made For iPad."

The iPort CM2000 secures the iPad into the wall with a discreet bezel and mounting frame, which is held magnetically to the metal wall box. The iPad home button remains accessible while its power button is replicated on the outer edge of the CM2000 frame. Power connection is made via Cat 5 cable running from the CM2000 through the wall to a single-gang power connection wall plate, which supports connection to the included power supply.

The CM2000 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $499.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

For years SurgeX has developed and engineered power protection products for the commercial market.

Now after dabbling in the residential channel, the company has fully committed to bringing its its commercial-grade technologies to the custom installation market through the release of its XU115 AC Surge Eliminator and Power Conditioner.

The XU115 is the first product in the N.C.-based company's Eliminator Series, and SurgeX says the unit includes its Impedance Tolerant EMI/RFI noise filtering, as well as its browser-based powered management options for remote control of power settings and other diagnostic functions.

In addition, the 2U-high XU115 also provides voltage regulation, UPS backup and the company's proprietary Advanced Series Mode surge protection technology that is said to eliminate all surges up to 3,000 volts and 3,000 amps with no residual harm like voltage let-through and ground contamination.

Monday, August 09, 2010

With Apple, Inc. continuing to innovate on the mainstream level of consumer electronics, its products are finding ways into the specialty custom electronics market through the industry's acceptance of its hardware and software solutions.

The latest company adopting Apple's technologies to drive the use of its custom-oriented product line is Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI). RTI's new RTiPanel App for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad enables users to control their RTI XP series of remote processor components, including the Minn.-based company's flagship XP-8 processor and its XP-6 and XP-3 products.

RTI says installers can configure the customizable user interface by using its Integration Designer programming software to facilitate the control of their clients' A/V, HVAC, security and home automation devices.

Tuesday, August 03, 2010

Lighting control manufacturer Lutron Electronics is announcing the availability and immediate shipping of two new components for its RadioRA 2 wireless total light control system: a dimmer for electronic low-voltage (ELV) loads and a hybrid keypad for retrofit applications.

The RadioRA 2 seeTouch Hybrid Keypad replaces a light switch in a standard wallbox, offers local and system dimming control of the attached lighting loads and provides system control of lights and shades throughout the home. The unit has backlit buttons make it easy to locate in the dark and a suggested list price is $399.

The RadioRA 2 ELV Dimmer provides high-performance dimming for ELV loads and some dimmable CFL and LED loads for a suggested list price of $199.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Honeywell is one of the most popular manufacturers in the worlds of residential and commercial security. Recently the N.Y.-based company added to its 5800PIR line of products when it rolled out two new sensors.

The newly released 5800PIR and 5800PIR-COM are said to offer electronics professionals the opportunity to increase their recurring monthly revenues (RMRs) and commercial installation potential.

Honeywell says the 5800PIR incorporates all of the same features as the base model sensor and it adds a cold temperature alert that warns building occupants when temperatures fall below 45 degrees. The company adds the sensor can be combined with its Total Connect Remote Services option to provide dealers to provide more RMR opportunities.

The 5800PIR-COM offers property owners long-range sensor capabilities (60 feet x 80 feet or 100 feet by 20 feet), and it can operate in unheated environments as cold as -4 degrees.

Monday, July 26, 2010

The N.Y.-based control company Universal Remote Control (URC) has just released two new modules that it says will enable custom installers to offer energy management to their clients.

URC says the TED 5000 energy management modules are accessible from its URC Tool Box dealer Web site area, and that the modules work with its Network Series controller products: the KP-4000, MX-5000 and MX-6000.

The apps are engineered to work with Energy, Inc.'s TED (The Energy Detective) energy monitoring system, and with the apps, homeowners will be able to check the status of their energy consumption, including their kW (kilowatt) usage and they'll be able to project their daily and monthly energy usage.

In addition to the TED 5000 apps, URC says that authorized custom electronics professionals can also download many other control apps from its URC Control Room site where the Tool Box resides.

Monday, July 19, 2010

With bandwidth becoming more important in the business and residential worlds, there's an increasing burden on electronics professionals to offer and install cabling infrastructure that meet and exceed the varying usages placed on the network by business and home owners.

The XFTP line of products from Trilithic was recently bolstered by the company through the addition of the new TFS-1020 Optical Fault Finder. This new device is a hand-held unit that enables CE Pros to inexpensively spec optical fiber lengths and trouble shoot cabling installations.

Trilithic says the TFS-1020 includes an optical time domain reflectometer technology to provide users with the ability analyze a building's fiber infrastructure. The TFS-1020 includes options like the ability to calculate and display nominal and interval event lengths and the ability to communicate up to five fault events in a system.

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Over the years Extron has built a reputation as a premium manufacturer of commercial audio/video equipment.

The company's new SSP 7.1 Surround Sound Processor should continue to reinforce its reputation through its inclusion of many installer-friendly features.

Highlighting some of the processor's features are a seven-channel, nine-band parametric equalizer, operating modes like "Live" and "Emulate" with file saving capabilities, 100ms of lip sync correction, a full choice of Dolby and DTS surround processing modes, RS-232 and the company's 2.0 setup software.

Extron designed the rack-mountable processor for use in commercial and corporate environments, and it's included a full selection of inputs to provide installation flexibility.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

One of the great things about flat-panel televisions is that they fit in places that old CRT televisions don't. These placement options allow homeowners to find creative ways to integrate a television into their homes without adding stress to their lives.

Helping to facilitate this these integration possibilities are products like Cabinet Tronix's new Coastal Elements line of TV lift products.

Included in that line of products is the company's Le Bloc Ebony Macassar (LEM) television lift. This lift is available with options such as a universal television mount and a universal remote control. Backed by a five-year warranty, the lift can be placed in places like at the foot of a bed, in the center of a room or against the wall, and homeowners can control the unit through its integrated IR/RF remote control signal repeater system.

The product also includes two HDMI inputs to allow homeowners to connect devices like their cable/satellite boxes and Blu-ray players.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

It sounds like science fiction, but the technology is real and New Orleans-based Home Automation Inc. (HAI) is using it for its latest product: the HAI wireless Driveway Sensor (63A00-1).

The technology is of course the earth's magnetic field and in the case of this new driveway sensor the company is utilizing it as a means to detect metal objects like cars to help alert homeowners when a visitor has driven onto their property.

Installers can set the sensor up to turn on outdoor lighting or it can be used as part of a home security system when it's combined with a video surveillance system.

HAI says that because the unit is wireless, installers won't have to dig a channel to run underground cable, and through its industrial design, the company has provided installation options for post or wall mounting applications.

Friday, June 25, 2010

System Features

• Distinct Keypad Styles – Reduce wall clutter caused by traditional dimmer and toggle switches by specialty wiring all loads to a central enclosure location. Complete system control with distinctly styled LiteTouch Low Voltage Keypads.
• Central Control Unit Options – Multiple CCU options deliver a range of scalable system features and price points.
• Hybrid Technology – LiteTouch Hybrid Technology adds unmatched system flexibility and installation options. With backward compatible design you can even add Hybrid Technology to existing LiteTouch Systems.
• Sub-System Integration – LiteTouch integrates with virtually any other home automation sub-systems such as AV systems, HVAC, motors, window blinds, security, touch screens and more.
• Power of LiteWare® – The LiteTouch system is powered with LiteWare; System Layout, Design & Programming; Keypad Design; Timing & Vacation Mode; Billing; Load Level Adjustment; Troubleshooting.

Three Central Control Unit Options:

• FIVEk CCU – The FIVEk (formerly called the 5000LC) is quite simply the most powerful lighting control CCU available on the market today. There’s virtually nothing this top-of-the-line LiteTouch CCU can’t control. This is the only LiteTouch CCU that offers Hybrid/wireless control. Control up to 256 low voltage keypads, 256 Control Modules, 2048 loads, plus Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers (64 Wired, 64 Wireless, total 384 Switches).
• Standard CCU – The Standard is perfect for the many residential and commercial installations that require timing, random vacation mode, scene pre-sets, plus motor control, security, HVAC and A/V integration. It is the only LiteTouch CCU that can be programmed without a computer using a self-contained user interface.Control up to 256 low voltage keypads, 100 Control Modules, 800 loads, plus Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers (64 Wired, total 384 Switches).
• Compact CCU – The Compact can do everything the Standard can do, just on a smaller scale. Control up to 40 low voltage keypads, 32 Control Modules, 320 loads, plus Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers (32 Wired, total 192 Switches).

Keypads & Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers:LiteTouch is widely known for the distinct beauty, quality and styling of their keypads. Low Voltage Keypad styles include:  Metropolitan, Coastal, Euro, Capri and Rio, each available in 6 to 14 faceplate finishes with a maximum of 5 to 9 buttons per gang.  Most are available with backlighting, daylight harvesting and Designer Icon engraving. Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers complement the Metropolitan style keypad; offer 1, 3 or 6 buttons; and come in 3 faceplate finishes.

System Highlights

• LiteTouch Energy Conservation – Energy Savings Dimming; Astronomical Time Clock Features; Timed Events; Master-Off Programming; DayLight Harvesting Functionality.
• LiteTouch Hybrid Installation – Installation/Wiring Options: Central/Homerun Installation; Conventional, Cat5 Installation; Conventional, Wireless Installation
• LiteTouch Flexible Integration – Ethernet; Infrared; RS-232; Contact Closure; Controllable via IR or RF Remote Control; Published Software Macros.

Web Site Link to CCUs & Modules:
http://litetouch.com/content.aspx?pg=2401

Web site link to Keypads:
http://litetouch.com/content.aspx?pg=2003

 

System Features

• LiteTouch Hybrid Wall Box Dimmer – Dual installation technology of both Wireless RF and Wired Cat5, as well as the flexibility of a combination Dimmer and Relay. Easy to retrofit into virtually any residence or business. Hardware fits right into standard electrical backboxes. Each button is fully programmable.
• Hybrid Technology – LiteTouch Hybrid Technology adds unmatched system flexibility and installation options. With backward compatible design you can even add Hybrid Technology to existing LiteTouch Systems.
• Sub-System Integration – LiteTouch integrates with virtually any other home automation sub-systems such as AV Systems, HVAC, Motors, window blinds, security, touch screens and more.
• Power of LiteWare® – The LiteTouch system is programmed with LiteWare; System Layout, Design & Programming; Keypad Design; Timing & Vacation Mode; Billing; Load Level Adjustment; Troubleshooting.

System Capabilities

• FIVEk CCU with C2000+ Card – This central control unit offers a wireless range of 200 feet , and can control the following Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers:  64 Wireless, 64 Wired, for a total of 384 Switches.
• Hybrid Wall Box Dimmers – Available in Metropolitan Designer Style and Metropolitan Traditional Style with 1, 3 or 6 buttons; and 3 available faceplate finishes.

System Highlights

• LiteTouch Energy Conservation – Energy Savings Dimming; Astronomical Time Clock Features; Timed Events; Master-Off Programming.
• LiteTouch Hybrid Installation – Installation/Wiring Options: Conventional, Cat5 Installation; Conventional, Wireless Installation
• LiteTouch Flexible Integration – Ethernet; Infrared; RS-232; Contact Closure; Controllable via IR or RF Remote Control; Published Software Macros.

Web Site Link:
http://litetouch.com/content.aspx?pg=2100

 

System Features

• Powerfully Simple Wall Box System – Conventionally wired and mounted into standard electrical backboxes; Customize LEDs in six available colors.
• Decentralized Control – Unique load cartridge, each with its own microprocessor, allows for system expansion simply by adding more cartridges. Select between Relay and Dimmer Mode; no pre-planning required.
• Sub-System Integration – Control Lights from a third-party universal remote, touch screen or whole home control system.
• Built-In Programming Panel – Buttons are fully programmable from the face of the unit; Seven standard switch types. No computer required.

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System Capabilities

• Three Types of LiteTouch Neo Wall Box Controllers – Four-Gang LiteTouch Neo4 controls up to 8 loads; Three-Gang LiteTouch Neo3 controls up to 5 loads; 2-Gang LiteTouch Neo2 controls up to 2 loads.
• LiteTouch Neo Accessories include – LiteTouch Neo 3-Way; LiteTouch Neo Mimic; and the One-Gang, one load LiteTouch Neo1.
• Connect up to 32 LiteTouch Neo Controllers to make a system.
• Connect up to eight LiteTouch Neo Accessories to each Controller

System Highlights

• LiteTouch Energy Conservation – Energy Savings Dimming; Timed Toggle Loads; Master-Off Programming; Efficient Dimming Technology.
• LiteTouch Hybrid Installation – Installation/Wiring Options: Conventional, Cat5 Installation; Conventional, Wireless Installation (coming soon).
• LiteTouch Flexible Integration – Controllable via IR or RF Remote Control.

Web Site Link:
http://litetouch.com/content.aspx?pg=2423