Sunday 15 October 2017

Occupany & Vacancy Sensors

Occupancy & vacancy sensors are small devices designed to detect the presence of a person in a room and accordingly adjust the physical space to the optimal state. These sensors control light, shade and temperature depending on the presence of people, time of day and general weather conditions. Not only is this unique technological invention trendy and appealing due to the lack of effort required to operate the various installments in a room but it is also an ecologically friendly and cost efficient investment.


Now let's see how these sensors have a positive impact of your finances and the environment. From a young age we are told to turn off lights and fans when we leave the room, but how many of us actually remember to do this? Now, it might seems like this is not a large enough concern for many but when we think about centrally air-conditioned spaces where we spend most of our time such as offices, malls, restaurants do you really think about asking someone to turn the temperature of the AC down or turn of the lights when you leave the bathroom? These costs that where always considered fixed are what occupancy and vacancy sensors attempt to reduce, not to mention the positive environmental impact! The occupancy and vacancy sensor can even play a impactful role in residential situations. The light sensors can prove to be crucial in housed with small children to ensure safety, during the evenings and at night, as well as responsible use of electricity. Let's admit it. Children never turn off the light! 



While Occupancy sensors have been around for some time, what has changed is the way they operate and the technology they adopt. For e.g the earlier motion sensors worked on  passive IR Technology where in a major motion was required between the various IR rays emitted by the sensor- for the sensor to detect presence. While these worked fine with places such as hallways and pantry areas, they failed where the motion was very small- such as when a person occupies the office or uses the bathroom. The latest technology sensors are able to detect even minor motion and hence will generally not turn the lights off when you are sitting still and working on your lap top (say). In fact this ability to detect even minor motion could be the main reason for pricing differences, in addition to the sensor coverage areas and the technology they use to function.


Anusha Technovision offers the Radio Power occupancy Wireless sensor through its partnership with Lutron which is equipped with the best technology within the occupancy and vacancy sensor market at the moment complete with daylight sensing ability – for homes as well as for commercial office spaces. These sensors can be stand alone or part of a larger Lighting control system. When they are part of the lighting control system they can be made intelligent  for e.g a home owner could decide that his bathroom lights should turn on every time he walks into the bath room but it should happen only at night time , and in day time he has to manually turn lights on. The sensor of course turns lights off when the bathroom is unoccupied.  “Occupancy sensors can be called the foot soldiers in the fight to conserve energy.” As per Alok Hada Director ATPL.

Tuesday 12 September 2017

Voice Controlled System - Amazon Alexa (Part 2)


Contd...

So who can do all this setup for you?

It's us!  Anusha Technovison (ATPL) can configure your ALEXA with an existing home automation system. And once done, you can call for different lighting moods, play a specific channel on your TV, control your shades, turn on/off your HVAC; in simple words, control each and every thing under the system with just a mere voice command, making life simpler than ever.

We can configure each and every command as per your choice of specific words. Once you get used to the command/quirks, using ALEXA feels much more natural and responsive than speaking to a phone-based voice assistant like Apple’s Siri. As a result, you are likely to find yourself using your phone less frequently when you’re at home.  If you thought the transition from flipping light switches to pressing smartphone buttons was game-changing, then letting ALEXA control your things will be even more satisfying in a true-geek way. And after a use of one-two months, if you need any tweaks, we provide a complimentary visit for a final setup of all your ALEXA commands. Not only do we provide training to control your home but we will also teach you, how using the sound of your voice, you can use ALEXA to search the Web, create to-do shopping lists, shop online, get instant weather reports, and control popular smart-homeproducts—all while your phone stays in your pocket.



However, we firmly believe that ALEXA isn’t a comprehensive smart-home system. It won’t replace a well-programmed graphic user interface on your Ipad or iPhone, it won’t allow for complex integrations of multiple devices (“turn the lights green when rock music plays in the kitchen” is not a valid command), and it won’t always be the most practical means of interacting with your other devices. Rather, we should think of it as an interface for your smart home, that provides additional means of control and functionality that an app on your phone can’t. Which makes it an easier product to rely upon!

Voice Controlled System - Amazon Alexa (Part 1)


                                                                                               Amazon Alexa


       

We at Anusha Technovision (ATPL) always keep educating ourselves to provide our customers with the best and latest solutions. If you talk about what is the latest in the field of automation, we will introduce you to ALEXA. 


Yes, ALEXA is Amazon’s voice control system which brings the home owner, the next level of automation by providing voice control to an automated home. Alexa is meaningful for smart-home users, because it lets you control all the connected devices without having to take out your phone and launch an app. ALEXA can respond to voice commands from almost anywhere within hearing distances. And the good thing is that unlike like smart phone, there’s no activation button to press. Simply say the right word (either “Alexa,” “Echo,” “Amazon” ) followed by what you want to happen, and the task will be done—as long as it been set up properly and you are using the correct command. It lets you speak your choice of words and see them being fulfilled such as dimming your lights or playing music tracks and much more.

Friday 4 August 2017

Smart Lighting Control System


Smart Lighting Control System is an intelligent lighting control Solution. It is an important aspect of our daily life. Light control would allow the ability to regulate the level and quality of light in each space for specific tasks or situations. Controlling light properly not only enhances the experience, it helps to save energy by using light when and where it is needed most.

Smart Lighting control systems features:
a)     Time Clock facility–The house owner could schedule the turning ON/Off the Lights/curtains based on normal/Astronomical time clock.
b)     Occupancy/Vacancy-Many building spaces remaining unoccupied between 40% and 70% of the day, lights left on are a real energy drain. occupancy/vacancy sensors automate the switching and dimming of those lights, saving energy and money.
c)      Daylight availability Amount of daylight that enters a space is an important aspect of  light control. Electric lighting energy use can be adjusted by automatically dimming  and/or switching     electric lights in response to the level of available daylight.
    d)   Mood Lighting Facility – This gives the power to enhance the beauty of any area with the variety of customized lighting scenes (e.g. TV, Relax, Meeting etc.).
    e)    Alarm conditions-Alarm conditions typically include inputs from other building systems such as the fire alarm or HVAC system, which may trigger an emergency 'all lights on' or ' all lights flashing' command for example.

     -  The major advantage of a lighting control system over  conventional  manual switching is the ability to control individual lights or groups of  lights of the house from any location with a single user interface   (Keypad,  i-pad/i-phone etc.) device.
     -   Now, we can also control the lighting system with Voice Command, e.g.-   Alexa
     -   Each button on Wired or wireless keypad is custom engraved with    button functionality to make it user friendly.
     -   A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption and reduced electricity bill too.
      - A room may have multiple scenes pre-set, each one created for different activities in the room
       - A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption
       - Longer lamp life is also gained when dimming and switching off lights when not in use

       -  Wireless lighting control systems provide additional benefits including reduced installation costs and increased flexibility over where switches and sensors may be placed.
         




        It adds the comfort, enhance the beauty of interior and conserve the energy!

Thursday 11 May 2017

Smart Bathroom (Part 2)

What's in Store?
With a lot of technological advancements, there are a few products which have made a mark in this field and have done extremely well.

1. HomeWorks system provides convenient, intelligent and sophisticated control of your home's lighting and shades, and can be integrated with security and audiovisual systems. In addition to enhancing your lifestyle, HomeWorks Architectural and Designer style controls can also enhance your décor and complement your home. Centralized dimming panels can be used to provide control of multiple zones of light in a room or throughout your home from a single keypad.



2. Agath mirror TVs are the latest generation flat, waterproof television sets for bathroom and spa. It’s unique design needs no ventilation. In fact if one wanted to change anything (lighting, music, or even water temperature) you could do that with the touch of a button or from your smart phone or even better call out and have the voice commands be given to the Automation system that obeys like an obedient servant, only one that never takes leave! Something that replenishes the toilet roll automatically, tells me If I forget my towel and even better hands the towel  out to me. Tells me If I need to have fresh blades for my razor and if the soap and shampoo stock in the bathroom is about to get over, it automatically orders it from my grocery store!

Monday 8 May 2017

Smart Bathroom (Part 1)

Smart technology- does not mean you need to be a smart user! It means technology that makes use of products - easier and more convenient. In a bathroom specifically, while bathroom fittings are increasingly focusing on turning this mundane activity of a daily shower or use of the toilet, into a more relaxing and even enjoyable experience, we are moving to the world where comfort and luxury and technology are all intertwined, and the bathroom is one area in the house that is important and for some even central to this concept.

Smart Bathroom  is one that could turn the lights on as soon as you enter it. It would be intuitive enough to know if you entered during the night or day and adjust the lighting accordingly. It would play your favorite FM channel /music as soon as you started your daily bathroom activity. It would have the temperature of the water to just the right level for you. The toilet seat would become warm in winters and cool in summers. These are some of the technological advancements that have changed the very face of the bathrooms today.

In the past, a bathroom was a small, bog-like standard room. It was known for being one of the last places homeowners would renovate, but that is no longer the case. The bathroom is becoming a highly valued part of the home. Because of this, more homeowners are making improvements to their bathroom decor, accessories and appliances. Nowadays, many improve or renovate their bathrooms for relaxation and hygiene purposes. 

Friday 17 March 2017

Motorized Shading System (Part 2)

What's in store?

SivoiaQS is the next generation of shading technology from Lutron, and the ideal solution for total light control. Its simplified wiring and common communication language allows for easy integration with Lutron lighting controls. Control electric light and daylight now at the touch of a button! It offers precision control of shades in one room, multiple rooms, or an entire home or building all at the touch of a button. Using the proprietary Clear Connect™ RF Technology from Lutron, Sivoia QS Wireless directly integrates with Lutron lighting control systems, delivering total light control to any space.



Features:

·         Precision Control of Daylight
·         Total Light Control
·         Ultra-Quite Performance
·         Easy to Design, Install and Integrate
·         Simple Operation, Beautiful Aesthetics

Add convenience :

        Adjust shades with a wire-free handheld or wall-mounted control from anywhere in the room
        A single button press adjusts hard-to-reach window treatments
        Operate quietly to prevent disruption in any space
        Cord-free design makes this solution safe for homes with young children or pets

 


 Enhance your décor :

        Choose from beautiful fabrics, colors, styles, and textures
        Give your room a crisp, clean look that complements many decorating styles






Save energy :

        Lower shades in summer to insulate the space and help reduce cooling costs
        Raise shades in winter to let sun in during the day and lower them at night to trap the day’s heat, and reduce heating costs
        Insulate your home effectively with the heat-trapping air pockets of insulating honeycomb shades, which enhance energy efficiency

Types of Motorized Shades Solutions:

·         Curtain/ Drapery Track System
·         Roller Shades/ Blinds
·         Roman Shades
·         Venetian Blinds
·         Kirbe Vertical Drapery Systems
·         Skylight Shades

To know more visit our website >>

Thursday 16 March 2017

Motorized Shading System (Part 1)

The “Smart Home” has been a marketing catch phrase for a while, there are many people who already live in smart homes. Technologically savvy homeowners and apartment dwellers have long known that conveniences such as remote operated security systems, remote shading systems, and other home electronic devices can make life both easier and more economical.  A smart home can provide better analysis of power usage, and let homeowners determine where and when to cut back for better energy conservation and cost savings.  It has real world implications as well.


Smart-home technology has come to the world of 'Motorized Shading Systems', with programmable timers raising and lowering your blinds and shades at the perfect hours during the day when you’ll want more or less light in each of the rooms. With customizable settings, you won’t have to spend your valuable time going all through your home to lower blinds against the scorching sun that can raise the home’s temperature, and thus your energy costs when your air conditioner has to work overtime. Instead, your programmable motorized system does all the blind- and shade-lowering for you, creating a comfy environment and saving you a fortune in energy costs, especially when they work their magic while you’re away on vacation – which also adds safety to your home, making it look to the outside world like someone is in the house and thus deterring robbers from targeting.

Thursday 2 March 2017

LED Lighting & Controls

LED Lighting while being beneficial in a lot of ways, primarily output and efficiency output versus the energy consumed brings with it, a whole new set of issues that we at ATPL, in the business of lighting controls have to deal with regularly. Since the LED juggernaut is rolling on with no signs of stopping, it is best that we understand that everything (Lighting) in a project is going to be LED and prepare ourselves accordingly.

Just because we have dimmers does not mean that LED fixture will dim!
One of the most common misconceptions among end users is that if they have opted for Lighting controls, the LED lights purchased will dim. It is necessary to inform them that not every LED light is dimmable. In fact, the majority of the LED lights that are available in the market today are not fitted with dimmable drivers. One question that everyone needs to ask when purchasing an LED lighting fixture is “Is it dimmable”?
This brings us to the basic question - What makes the LED light dimmable? or

'What comprises of an LED fixture'?
In short, an LED Lighting fixture comprises of:

a) The Light Engine – which is the LED chip that emits light when current passé through it

b) Power supply or Driver that supplies the right amount of current through the LED chip



c) Heat Sink and casing, that ensures the right temperature for a longer life of the LED chip. It is the 
LED driver that receives the dimming signal from the dimmer and varies current or voltage accordingly to allow dimming of the light output. The LED driver either maintains a constant current or a constant voltage while varying the other, to vary the light output from the LED engine.
The type of dimming signal varies and is again dependent upon what the driver will accept. The common types prevalent in the market are 1-10 volts, phase controlled dimming (line voltage dimming), DALI dimming and DMX dimming. Please be clear that the dimming signal types does not have a bearing on the quality of dimming. The capability of the dimmable driver to a large extent determines the dimming quality and that its capability comprises of parameters that have to do with consistent performance and light output (Flicker free dimming) over the stated range of dimming signal.