Corporate | Commercial | Domestic

C-Bus Solutions

The 6 primary reasons to use C-Bus are:

  1. Highly robust & reliable control system, but low cost per node.
  2. Wide range of tools available to allow 3rd party companies to interface to both PC based and embedded systems.
  3. A single C-Bus cable connection can control an unlimited number of devices.
  4. Ultimate flexibility in switching & control functions can be;
    changed, added, removed, moved, reprogrammed, at any position on the network,  at any time – without any cumbersome hard-wiring.
  5. C-Bus is simple to install and commission.
  6. C-Bus can control any type of load, digital and analogue.
  • Whether simple ON/OFF control of a lighting circuit, or variable (analogue) type control, like electronic dimmable fluorescent ballasts, C-Bus can be used to easily control virtually any type of electrical load.

  • To ensure fast and reliable operation, each C-Bus device has its own in-built microprocessor and “intelligence”, allowing units to be individually programmed.

  • C-Bus uses a patented method for updating the status of units. This method does not require a central computer or central controller to handle databases or lookup tables to operate.

  • The status of each C-Bus unit is initiated at specific time intervals, without the need of a central controller.

  • Each device is allocated a specific time frame to broadcast its status, synchronised by a self-generated system clock pulse.

  • This allows large amounts of data to be transmitted in a very small time frame, effectively and reliably on the network, leading to low processing overheads and low bandwidth requirements.

How C-Bus Works?

  • The C-Bus Network Bus is the communications wiring for the system,consisting of an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) ‘Cat 5' cable.

  • The Bus not only provides the means of communication between units, but also the small amount of power needed to operate the circuitry within each C-Bus unit.

  • All Input and Output devices are wired to any point in the C-Bus Network by a twisted pair cable, which carries all communications between the Units.

  • The C-Bus connections may be looped from unit to unit or a branch can be made at any point.

  • This ‘free topology’ structure provides a flexible system layout.

  • New units can be added anywhere, at any time, without re-configuration.

  • The system is programmed so that specific commands trigger specific responses in one (or more) devices on the Network.

  • At any time the commands can be re-programmed, and C-Bus units can also be added, removed or moved.

  • The size of a C-Bus Network is practically unlimited.  A large network is usually divided into sub-networks of 100 C-Bus Units, with a total cable length of 1000m per sub-network.

  • This allows a C-Bus system to be divided into manageable sections, simplifying design, limiting potential fault propagation and aiding in any troubleshooting.