Twinbus
TwinBus is the name of a quasi-standard in building automation that arose before the general KNX (formerly EIB ) standard was developed. TwinBus is used in particular in the implementation of doorbells, in-house telephones and gate systems in residential complexes and residential buildings based on bus technology.
technology
TwinBus devices include bus-supported in-house telephones, door intercom amplifiers and control devices. The central component of a TwinBus system is the system's (basic) control unit, also known as the power supply unit depending on the manufacturer, as it contains the power supply and controls the bus network.
The TwinBus control units are in principle PLC in Hutschienentechnik .
A TwinBus system contains, for example, the bell buttons of a property as sensors and controls, for example, pushbutton relays for the exterior lighting and existing electric door drives (each with its own control, which is activated by this). Other connections, for example a door video system, are also possible.
TwinBus does not follow the KNX standard , but for some time it has been able to be adapted to a KNX network via a converter. Compared to KNX, the range of functions is limited: Possible TwinBus commands for controlling the KNX are code lock , button module , light switching function of the intercom and switching function . An additional encoding module, the KNX functions switch , encoder and forced control tap of the plant from TwinBus. KNX-capable devices are now also sold under the TwinBus brand. Certain telephone systems can adapt TwinBus, e.g. B. AGFEO.
history
As early as the mid-1980s, the first considerations for the application of bus technologies for electrical installation technology and building technology were initiated by various companies in parallel. Although it has been recognized that the market introduction of manufacturer-specific systems would stand in the way of broad market penetration and would give the client a wide variety of proprietary "standards" and "systems", this was apparently exactly what was done anyway - parallel to or before standardized systems such as KNX , which was initially known as EIB.
TwinBus was developed by the Ritto company (Ritto-Werk Loh GmbH & Co. KG), whose registered trademark is the name TwinBus.
distribution
The TwinBus standard is used by various manufacturers in the building technology sector. a. RITTO GmbH & Co. KG Home and Building Communication , Merten , Schneider Electric and Jacotec.
TwinBus technology has been on the market since the 1990s, but is still produced and sold despite competition from the stronger KNX standard. This also ensures the supply of spare parts and expansion. TwinBus systems are predominantly found in residential complexes and upscale private residential buildings.
differences
The main difference to conventional switching technology is the separation of power supply and device control.
Bus technology is used to separate the power supply for the devices and their controls. There are now two networks, the power network for power supply with 230 V AC voltage and the control network. These are laid independently of each other in the house.
Technology of the TwinBus network
A control device, called an "actuator", is installed between the consumer (e.g. electrical device, lamp, window opener) and the mains voltage . The actuator is connected to the TwinBus network and receives data from it.
If the actuator receives the command to supply voltage to the consumer, it connects the mains voltage to the device. The command can come from different sensors.
Advantages of TwinBus
With the new technology, any type of electrical consumer can now be operated quickly and easily for the first time. Any type of connection can be redefined by reprogramming.
disadvantage
In a direct comparison with a conventional electrical installation, a KNX installation is more expensive. However, there are cost advantages when several trades (e.g. lighting, shading and heating) are combined with one another and this creates synergies. By using actuators in the vicinity of the consumer to be switched, expensive parallel power cabling can be avoided. In the ideal case, every room has a sub-distribution up to which a single power cable and a bus line are located. It is only from there that individual consumers are split up. For sensors, the laying of expensive, specially balanced measuring lines can be greatly reduced, so that only the relatively inexpensive bus cabling has to be used.
The possible energy savings through the central control of the connected consumers are offset by the TwinBus system's own power consumption.