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What Is Clipsal C

C-Bus is a microprocessor-based building automation system that uses a proprietary protocol to control lighting, HVAC, audiovisual devices, and other electrical systems over unshielded twisted pair cabling. Each C-Bus device contains an onboard microprocessor and communicates status updates directly with other devices on the network without requiring a central controller. C-Bus networks can scale to control thousands of devices across multiple sub-networks and offer flexible control options and easy reprogramming of systems without rewiring.

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31 views4 pages

What Is Clipsal C

C-Bus is a microprocessor-based building automation system that uses a proprietary protocol to control lighting, HVAC, audiovisual devices, and other electrical systems over unshielded twisted pair cabling. Each C-Bus device contains an onboard microprocessor and communicates status updates directly with other devices on the network without requiring a central controller. C-Bus networks can scale to control thousands of devices across multiple sub-networks and offer flexible control options and easy reprogramming of systems without rewiring.

Uploaded by

marby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Clipsal C-Bus?

Introduction
C-Bus is a microprocessor-based control and management system for Buildings and Homes. It is used to control
lighting and other electrical services such as pumps, Audio Visual Devices, Motors, etc. Whether simple ON/OFF
control of a lighting circuit, or variable (analogue) type control, such as electronic dimmable fluorescent ballasts, CBus 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.

Why C-Bus?
The primary reasons to use C-Bus are:

Highly robust and reliable control system, but low cost per node.

Wide range of tools available to allow 3rd party companies to interface to both PC based and embedded
systems.

A single C-Bus cable connection can control an unlimited number of devices.

Ultimate flexibility in switching and control functions can be changed, added, removed, moved,
reprogrammed, at any position on the network, at any time - without any cumbersome hard-wiring.

C-Bus is simple to install and commission.

C-Bus can control any type of load, digital and analogue.

How C-Bus Works


C-Bus Network Wiring
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.
The C-Bus Network is electrically isolated from the mains power, and operates at safe extra low voltage levels (36 V
dc). Legal restrictions of mains wiring do not apply, so C-Bus wiring may be run into places that would be dangerous
(or illegal) with normal mains wiring.
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.
During commissioning, 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 CBus 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.

C-Bus Units
All Units on the C-Bus Network have their own built-in microprocessor, allowing them to operate independently with
"distributed intelligence. This provides extremely reliable and efficient communications, and also means that a
malfunction in one unit will not affect the operation of any other Unit or the Network.
Every C-Bus Unit has a unique number, so that all devices on the Network can communicate directly. Also, as C-Bus
uses point to multi-point communication, every device on a C-Bus Network issues and responds to commands
directly from the Network, rather than requiring a central computer or controller.

Simple Control
Each C-Bus device is programmed to issue and respond to the certain commands. A virtually unlimited number of
commands can be programmed into the C-Bus system. Generally, Input Devices are programmed to issue
commands, and Output Devices are programmed to execute those commands.
When a C-Bus Group Address command is issued by a C-Bus Device, any other Devices that have been
programmed with that Group Address will be activated, wherever they are on the C-Bus Network. There is no need
for any direct 240V connection between any C-Bus units.

Multiple Events
Single Devices can also produce multiple events. For example, you may program an Input Switch so that the length
of time the key is pressed determines what Command is issued - a short press issues an on/off command and a long
press controls a dimming command.
Multiple commands do not have to control the same Output Device(s), so complex scenarios can be easily created,
for example a single push button switch controlling a whole floor of a building.
Multiple Input devices can conditionally control a single Output Device, dependant on specific circumstances. This
allows multiple levels of over-ride switching and other complex control systems to be created easily.

Control Flexibility
The C-Bus system can carry out control in virtually unlimited ways, including:

Any input device can be programmed as a master control point. Master overrides can be positioned
anywhere in the network, and control any other unit or units on any connected network.
The system can have a multiple over-ride control hierarchy allowing zone control, area control, building
control and site controls.

The system can allow unlimited switching configurations. Two, three (or any number) of switches can be set
to toggle or control any other switch or device.
There is no need for any direct 240V ac connection between an input and output, only the bus cable links
units together. This means that an input can control a load regardless of which electrical circuit the load is
connected to.
Overrides can be easily re-programmed via Windows software at any time.
A computer or cental controller is not required for normal C-Bus operation, but can be used to add additional
features if desired.

Example
In the diagrams and text below we give a very simple example of lighting in a boardroom

An Input Switch in the boardroom is programmed with the C-Bus Group Address Boardroom Main Lights. When the
switch is pressed, it issues an ON Command to the Boardroom Main Lights C-Bus Group Address.

This Group Address command from the Input Switch is sent onto the C-Bus Network for all units throughout the
network. Only those C-Bus Units programmed to respond to the Boardroom Main Lights Group Address command
react other units will ignore commands not intended for them.
This simple example only gives you an overview of the power and control flexibility of the C-Bus system.
As you can see from this simplified diagram, every device requires a C-Bus connection. Devices that control mains
power also need a connection to the mains, of course. The mains wiring and C-Bus wiring do not need to be
adjacent, and the mains can be connected to different phases, or even completely separate distribution systems.

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