June 2009Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Siemens introduced simple home automation with the Synco living system. Now, a user-friendly expansion allows users to operate home automation systems conveniently over the Internet from any PC. In addition, the company recently began offering a cost effective base set featuring a room unit and up to six radiator controllers to provide smaller living units like townhouses and clusters with an environmentally-friendly, state-of-the-art heating control system.
Synco living offers both comfort and safety. Time switch programs enable users to heat or ventilate each room individually, while a remote control is also available for operating light switches, blinds and for switching on or off electrical systems such as fountains, aquarium lights, or even a home’s entire lighting system at the push of a button.
Especially important for home security, Synco living also monitors windows and doors, controls lighting to simulate the presence of people, and notifies users if smoke builds up anywhere in the house. The device also notices if batteries are dead, if systems are down, and even if a refrigerator door is open.
The new web server enables users to operate Synco living from any PC or smart phone, requiring only a common operating system and a browser. Another new feature is the alarm function that sends e-mail or text message warnings to four predefined recipients. After the web server has been hooked up to a PC, communication is automatically carried out via radio transmission, as is usual with Synco living.
The system uses the KNX (Konnex) standard that allows products from different manufacturers to communicate with one another. Another advantage of the system is that it generates almost no radiation. For example, a one-minute call with a cellphone generates about as much radiation as living in a one-family home with Synco living for 15 years.
The devices operate with normal batteries that have to be replaced only once every three years, while the batteries in the smoke alarms and window contact systems only have to be replaced every five years. Optimising the temperature control in buildings pays off, as the Synco living system generally amortises itself within one to two years despite the relatively high investment.
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