C-Bus Solutions
The 6 primary reasons to use C-Bus are:
- Highly robust & reliable control system, but low cost per node.
- Wide range of tools available to allow 3rd party companies to interface to both PC based and embedded systems.
- A single C-Bus cable connection can control an unlimited number of devices.
- Ultimate flexibility in switching & control functions can be;
changed, added, removed, moved, reprogrammed, at any position on the network, at any time – without any cumbersome hard-wiring. - C-Bus is simple to install and commission.
- C-Bus can control any type of load, digital & analogue.
- Whether simple ON/OFF control of a lighting circuit, or variable (analogue) type control, like electronic dimmable fluorescent ballasts, C-Bus can be used to easily control virtually any type of electrical load.
- To ensure fast and reliable operation, each C-Bus device has its own in-built microprocessor and “intelligence”, allowing units to be individually programmed.
- C-Bus uses a patented method for updating the status of units. This method does not require a central computer or central controller to handle databases or lookup tables to operate.
- The status of each C-Bus unit is initiated at specific time intervals, without the need of a central controller.
- Each device is allocated a specific time frame to broadcast its status, synchronised by a self-generated system clock pulse.
- This allows large amounts of data to be transmitted in a very small time frame, effectively and reliably on the network, leading to low processing overheads and low bandwidth requirements.
How C-Bus Works?
- The C-Bus Network Bus is the communications wiring for the system,consisting of an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) ‘Cat 5' cable.
- The Bus not only provides the means of communication between units, but also the small amount of power needed to operate the circuitry within each C-Bus unit.
- All Input and Output devices are wired to any point in the C-Bus Network by a twisted pair cable, which carries all communications between the Units.
- The C-Bus connections may be looped from unit to unit or a branch can be made at any point.
- This ‘free topology’ structure provides a flexible system layout.
- New units can be added anywhere, at any time, without re-configuration.
- The system is programmed so that specific commands trigger specific responses in one (or more) devices on the Network.
- At any time the commands can be re-programmed, and C-Bus units can also be added, removed or moved.
- The size of a C-Bus Network is practically unlimited. A large network is usually divided into sub-networks of 100 C-Bus Units, with a total cable length of 1000m per sub-network.
- This allows a C-Bus system to be divided into manageable sections, simplifying design, limiting potential fault propagation and aiding in any troubleshooting.