When it comes to home automation, lighting is usually one of the first areas people explore and incorporate. Lighting is relatively simple to get started with and there are a variety of options to choose from. The technologies frequently associated with automation lighting are Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, X-10 (legacy), and UPB. Having an idea of what your ultimate goal is will help guide your selection process.
This discussion will focus on Universal Powerline Bus (UPB). As an automation technology, it is frequently overlooked despite being extremely robust and reliable. UPB devices have many advantages when compared to other technology options, and some of those advantages are…
Simplicity – Reliability
UPB is 99.9% reliable versus 70%-80% reliability of X-10, capable of transmitting farther (over a mile), and is less susceptible to powerline noise and capacitive attenuation (signal reduction) than other technologies. Adding lighting control can be as simple as plugging in outlet modules or replacing traditional wall switches. Unlike radio frequency (RF) wireless switches, where reliability is proportional to the number of ‘mess-networked’ devices installed, UPB provides reliability and performance anywhere in the home without the need of repeaters.
No New Wires
UPB switches are installed exactly like regular wall switches; they connect to a home’s standard wiring. Since no new or special wiring is required, they work great in retrofit applications too.
Flexibility
Creating 3 and 4-way switches is easy to accomplish without the need to hire an electrician to run new wires. A single UPB wall switch can be configured to control lighting in multiple rooms.
Peer to Peer
No host computer or central controller (Hub) is necessary for single, point-to-point control or group (lighting/device scene) control. UPB is a no-host, peer to peer network. Interruption of power, or single point controller/repeater failure, will not affect a stand-alone UPB network.
House Separation
Neighbors with UPB will not control each other’s lights. The UPB addressing scheme allows for 250 systems (houses) on each transformer and 250 devices on each system. It incorporates over 64,000 total addresses compared to 256 for conventional X-10.
Implementation
Setting up UPB devices is fairly straight forward. The devices are configured with the use of the UpStart software which is free to download, and is available from Powerline Control Systems (PCS). In addition to the UpStart software, a powerline interface module (PIM) will be required. It provides the connection between your computer with UpStart and the installed UPB device(s), and is only for configuration and not for device communication. How to use the UpStart software to configure devices and scenes won’t be discussed since PCS provides a ‘UPB for Beginners’ document explaining the process.
Features
UPB devices offer a lot of features. Wall switches can function as standard on/off switches or as dimmers. The wall switches can also be configured to gradually increase light intensity when turning lights on, and they can gradually fade when turning off. They can also be configured to turn lights on to a pre-set brightness.
Another feature is the ability to create three and four way switches without the need for an electrician to run new wire. There are various face plates that can be installed which further expands the flexibility. The standard single rocker can be replaced with a split rocker, with one controlling a the original light, and the other rocker can be configured to create a three or four way switch. Other face plate options include multi rocker and multi button, where each rocker or button can be configured to control a light, combination of lights, or scenes. There are also UPB timer modules that can be used to schedule when various UPB devices are turned on and off; plug-in output modules that can be used to control valves, gates, garage doors, gas fireplaces, pumps, a large high voltage contactor and anything that is controlled by a relay; and plug-in input modules that transmit digital commands from externally connected devices such as off-the-shelf motion sensors, light sensors, occupancy sensors, pressure mats, RF remote controls, pushbuttons, etc. Received inputs can be configured to activate single lights, trigger scenes, or send messages to an automation controller (if installed).
When combined with a security system and home automation system, you end up with an extremely robust automation network. You have the ability to create events that can control multiple devices and can be triggered by security conditions, home automation conditions, or UPB device conditions. Once you start experiencing the benefits of home automation, the challenge becomes exercising restraint from trying to find more things to automate.
If you’re considering home automation but not sure where to begin, feel free to ask us questions, we’re here to help.
Brax