The demands placed on energy efficiency are increasing and communication systems are being used in the planning of building automation to fulfil these demands. It is not always easy to find the right solution because there are so many options available. Frequently it is necessary to find a wise combination derived from several communication systems.

When planning lighting control with DALI, the focus nowadays is often on the pure function. Within HCL (Human Centric Lighting) there is frequently a demand for control of the colour temperature of accent lighting with saturated light colours. During the planning phase the user should always bear simple maintenance of the lighting installation in mind. It saves time and money if you can make adjustments yourself. But to do this you need expert knowledge.

Modern building automation requires a holistic approach to planning. It is necessary to view all the disciplines involved in building automation as an integral whole. During the planning phase the building automation designer is faced with several tasks. He must understand the technical systems, identify the wishes and needs of the client and bear certain procedures in mind. Numerous, norms regulations and laws must be observed and applied.

The »Apartimentum« in Hamburg is a residential development of technically sophisticated luxury apartments behind a late nineteenth century (Gründerzeit) façade. The investor Lars Hinrichs is offering fully networked »Flat rate Living« – at monthly rents in the four-to five-digit range with Nest thermostats, IP-controlled water faucets, push notification when mail is deposited in the letter box and a front door which is opened via bluetooth from the smartphone. There is also talk of energy saving of »up to 30%«, but it is comfort, security and exclusivity which is in the foreground. The message is ambivalent because it encourages the latent prejudice that smart buildings are a luxury which we can do without.

Everyone has heard of BIM (Building Information Model) and everyone talks about it. Yet not everyone knows what it is exactly nor do we know that it will mean for planners and their work in the future. Here are a few answers to frequently asked questions about BIM. BIM is not a software; BIM is not a data format; BIM is not new; BIM does not work only in buildings; BIM is not a solution to all problems in the building sector; and yes, it is possible to construct buildings successfully without BIM.

The Zigbee function protocol is used primarily in private buildings, and several articles by professionals in the field describe both its benefits and drawbacks. But what is the situation when Zigbee is used in non-residential buildings? DIAL provides the »Troubleshooting« service on site which draws on many years of experience in the field of building automation. The following concrete example of a lighting installation in a non-residential building illustrates the procedure when tracing errors (troubleshooting).

At first glance it seems that again a great deal of fuss is being made about a new topic, this time BIM (Building Information Modeling). However, this topic is marketed mainly with the aid of a mock argument to push the players in the building industry into being proactive: BIM will come - because BIM must come.

The internet and related network technologies have become a central element in buildings. More and more components are connected to a network: e.g. Wireless Access Points, VoIP telephones and webcams. Power over Ethernet is not only of benefit here. For building automation the ethernet is playing an increasingly important role.

What happens when a midcap company decides to erect a new building? All the conditions for the building have been fulfilled: land has been purchased, an appropriate allocation of the space available has been made the building costs have been estimated and the budget required for the building is available. Now the next step should be the planning of the building.

In the world of automation many different standards, systems and components from a wide number of manufacturers encounter each other. This diversity often leads to the user losing track of what there is. The development of the Internet of Things and plans for total networking mean that the market is continually subject to highly dynamic changes. It is no easy task to choose the »right« system to meet one's needs.

Manufacturer-specific automation systems are attractive in price compared to open systems and it is easier and faster to project and commission them. Should the user prefer not to be tied to one manufacturer, open systems such as KNX can be used. Dependency on systems integrators when using KNX systems will soon belong to the past and the solution here is ETS Inside.

KNX RF (Radio Frequency) was already standardized in 2006 but was pushed to the sidelines until the release of ETS5. Only since then has it been possible to project and commission KNX RF devices directly in ETS. More and more frequently manufacturers are developing and distributing products for this medium of transmission. However, when employing these devices the user needs to be aware of the benefits, the requirements, frequencies and the frequency ranges.