KNX is the only worldwide approved International Standard for home and building control. It meets the requirements of European standards CENELEC EN50090 and CEN EN 13321-1. Its approval as an international standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3) and Chinese Standard (GB/Z 20965), confirms its global importance. The KNX standard is supported by many manufacturers whose KNX certified products guarantee interoperability without the need for costly gateways.

All manufacturers also have to show compliance to ISO 9001.KNX Supports four communication media including Twisted Pair (TP - Cable), Power-line, Radio Frequency (RF) and IP/Ethernet. KNX products are used by systems integrators to build intelligent integrated building control solutions for domestic and commercial applications.

“Intelligent buildings” are considered as those properties where residents, owners or managers have control over the everyday working or living environment. This can cover all the building's services such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security and metering as well as the operation of blinds, electrical appliances, windows, façades, AV/sound systems and many other functions.

KNX is a simple system for intelligent electrical installation networking. A KNX bus cable combines devices and systems and new functions can be easily added in the future as the needs of occupants change and extra functionality is required. Sensors, such as motion detectors and thermostats, send impulses over a transmission medium to actuators which then, for example, activate or deactivate the lights or the heating system. These sensors and actuators can be programmed and linked as desired. It is easy for occupants to manipulate the functions of the KNX system using familiar switches, the telephone or even via IP from a remote computer.

As KNX covers such a diversity of applications using one standard, it means the cabling network can be much simpler. A single twisted pair cable can often suffice, with multiple elements all operating together on a single network. The KNX ETS 3-KNX Software Tool provides one standard software tool for programming and commissioning KNX systems. The software is manufacturer independent and distributed by the international KNX Association.

More and more building owners are accepting KNX as the best available technology to achieve maximum efficiency. KNX installations are future proofed so that clients are not tied to one manufacturer – this is the result of KNX products' certified interoperability.

What maintains KNX’s superiority is that every KNX compliant piece of equipment has been fully tested and certified to this highly stringent standard by an independent regulatory body. It is only at this point that it can carry the KNX logo, as controlled by the international KNX Association of Brussels. Users can have total confidence in reliability and interoperability.

Today, with the emphasis very much on “green issues”, KNX can make an important contribution to energy conservation. In the evening lighting variations can be programmed to specific requirements by pressing a button. In the office environment this may mean turning off or dimming lights in certain unoccupied or semi-occupied rooms. Energy management is also promoted as KNX can switch on power-hungry devices automatically when electricity rates are at the lowest.

Climate control is a critical area of energy conservation and façade management with KNX is an increasingly popular consideration. Typically, heating and lighting can be monitored and regulated so that during the winter, when warmth and light make an even greater contribution to comfort, KNX technology can regulate shading, climate and lighting for each room in accordance with the outdoor temperature and prevailing daylight levels.

Apart from providing energy savings and comfort to building occupiers, a KNX based intelligent building system offers other benefits. A growing application is in the area of assisted living where KNX can help in the execution of daily household tasks which otherwise may not be accomplished.

Another growth area is building security. Using KNX, motion detectors, glass break sensors and electronic shutter control scan be connected to an alarm system or emergency call circuit. If there are suspicious noises, a panic button can be pressed and the lights go on and the shutters open. Should any alarm conditions occur, they can be conveyed by email or SMS and to a mobile phone. In unoccupied buildings, time-controlled lights automatically opening blinds can simulate occupancy.

At the restored Old Courthouse in Douglas, converted into modern office accommodation, KNX intelligent building technology has been used to achieve both energy savings and other advantages such as maximum flexibility and adaptability for the lifetime of the building. Ease and speed of installation; the provision of monitoring and supervisory requirements for a facilities manager, integration with other services were also important.

A commitment to sustainability at Oundle School prompted the development of the SciTec building, a distinctive and inspiring centre that is an excellent example of a modern, energy efficient, high tech building. Using KNX as a common platform to control the building meant that a number of energy savings specified at the beginning could be realised. By using KNX, all of the control requirements could be connected together using the same bus system. This allowed for a simple installation with fewer cables and only one system to set up and commission.

A KNX smart home project in Chichester apartment offers the occupiers style, flexibility, functionality and simplicity. This covers multi-room entertainment, discrete surround sound in the living room, smart lighting and heating, blind control, security and more. The home also features the intelligent integration of lighting, zoned heating, blinds and other services that allow sophisticated control at the press of a button.

The intelligent systems and the flexibility of KNX also allow easy expansion at a later date. In this case, a future enhancement will allow the clients to remotely turn the hot water and heating system back on prior to returning from holiday.

Today, KNX offers many business opportunities and membership of KNX UK provides even more.

By Iain Gordon, President, KNX UK

Full details, including CPD courses, are available from KNX UK, PO Box 4082, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG42 9EQ,
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,
Website: www.knxuk.org
Tel: 0845 8695908

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