KNX building automation with LUXORliving makes family life easier
Task
- KNX-based smart home system with simple programming and operation
Solution
- LUXORliving smart home system with Meteodata KNX weather station
- Programming with convenient LUXORplug Windows software instead of complex ETS
- Operation via LUXORplay app
- Easy creation of individual scenes
- Integration of indoor and outdoor lighting, windows, blinds and wheelchair-accessible exterior door
- Option to integrate smoke detectors and cameras
- Use of push buttons and dimmers from other manufacturers
What was supposed to be harmless surgery after a hernia ended up badly for Sylvia Krosse. By sheer misfortune, complications led to paraplegia. From that moment on, it was a long way for her and her family to be able to lead a "normal" family life again. "After the surgery, I spent some time in hospital and then a few months in a rehabilitation centre," says Sylvia. It was there that René came up with the idea of converting their house. "I was absolutely certain," says René, "Sylvia would be living at home again. In the rehabilitation centre, she had a spacious room equipped with all the amenities, so she could do many things herself. Also the people taking care of her were able to do their work without any problems. I wanted the same thing at home."
Simple and versatile smart home system wanted
René took precise measurements of the room and analysed the equipment. "Then I quickly applied for permission to build an extension with bedroom and bathroom to our house. I used the ergonomic dimensions of the care room in the rehabilitation centre as a starting point. After the permit was granted, I asked my colleague at TechTron which building automation system I should use. I install these systems myself, but I am not a programmer. Since I wanted to do as much as possible of the extension myself, which included the installation of the systems, I was looking for a simple but versatile smart home system. My colleague Gert van Dijk advised me to talk to Theben. In his opinion, LUXORliving was the system I needed."
LUXORliving training at Theben
"When the extension was nearing completion in autumn 2020, I attended a training course for the LUXORliving system at Theben. It indeed proved to be a simple smart home system. As the technology is entirely based on the global KNX standard, a large number of equipment and installations can be connected. The complex ETS software is not required for programming. For an installer and occasional programmer, it is sufficient to work with the dedicated LUXORplug programming software from Theben. It is very simple and still allows most of the programming functions and the creation of the desired scenes."
All included: From lighting to a wheelchair-accessible exterior door
The new extension constructed by René had its own power supply and thus its own distribution system. "In the extension, I connected as many systems as possible to the LUXORliving system, especially the entire lighting as well as the windows and blinds. I also included the special exterior door in the system. This door provides access to the extension and is wide enough for Sylvia's wheelchair. On the one hand, this connection is convenient for her, because she can operate the door herself via the app; on the other hand, the caregivers who help Sylvia every day can also open the door via a control panel next to the door. That way they can come in and help Sylvia get up or go to bed."
Simple operation via app
When René started using LUXORliving, he also connected the entire ground floor of his house to the system. "Above all, it is the lighting that can now be operated from anywhere via this system. However, I have also connected the outdoor lighting to it and adjusted it automatically via a Theben weather station. The light comes on automatically as soon as it gets dark. We can even connect other systems like smoke detectors or cameras via the app." The operation of the entire system is very simple, Sylvia says. She uses the LUXORplay app from Theben almost exclusively, because it allows her to control everything from her wheelchair. "René created several scenes, such as a care scene, where I can turn on all the lights to full intensity. This way, my caregiver has good light when I need help."
Various scenes
"I also programmed a sleeping scene," says René, "where the windows are opened a bit and the roller blinds are pulled up a little. It is nice at weekends when we stay up a little longer, but with some light and fresh air from outside. I also created a TV scene, in which the lighting in the living room is completely attuned to our preferences. We also have an "all out" and a panic scene. Once all the equipment is networked, it is very easy for everyone to create scenes. The 2-, 4- or 8-way binary inputs of the LUXORliving system, which are placed behind the switches, allow us to use switches or dimmers from third-party manufacturers. To me, this system is truly the ideal solution for creating a house for care and living."
Theben LUXORliving products used:
- LUXORliving S4 switch actuators and LUXORliving S8
- LUXORliving D2 dimming actuators and LUXORliving D4
Installation partner:
TechTron Groep, Veenendaal