Hi - this is my first post - so please be gentle....

I am seriously considering H2M8 for my home automation installation - and will probably starting integrated lighting etc.  However, I know that we can use regular switches - but how do you wire the CAT 5 into the back of the switches?  Also - what switches have people used to control the selection of scenes in the house?

Any input will be very much appreciated!

Thanks

Mark

I've used 100% standard MK-type make/break switches, wiring brown/white to what's marked as common, and brown to live. The WebBrick Controllers can trigger their chosen action on make &/or break, so you've got an instant two-way switch, if you want it! In a cupboard, I did just the same, but used a "dwell" such that the cupboard light won't ever stay on more than 2 minutes.

And for scene selection, people have most commonly used momentary-make type push switches, in pairs, either for up/down, or some use one to choose the "off" and then use the other to step through the scenes - most people don't have more than a handful of scenes. Of course, you can put as many buttons on a backplate as you wish.

I've also used rocker switches, wired just as above, white/orange & white/green to common, green to "up" and "orange" to down. This was good for opening & closing windows.

And if you'd like, you can use a rotary encoder, to "dial" the scene. (And with the WebBrick Gateway, you could use the double-clicking of the on/off part of a roatary encoder to toggle the WebBrick Controller between scene mode & dim-mode)

You could use the WebBrick Controllers infra-red capability with a remote control, to choose your scene by number.

So you can design just about anything that "tickles your fancy" - we've even had discussions with customers about re-purposing a 1950's style Roberts radio front to dial "The Light Programme", using genuine RAF Spitfire parts, or taking magnetic fruit out of fruit baskets to set the house to "vacant" or "occupied"

 As someone once said, "limited only by your imagination!"

 -- Alistair

Hello Mark

You can find a selection of momentary switch plates and rotary encoders here:

http://www.wattsandohms.co.uk/Switch%20Plate%20Cataloge.htm

These are all made to your requirements and I believe H2M8 would be glad to recommend them. They are of a very high quality and are sealed to IP66. An advantage to using this type of switch is that it can give you feedback as to the current state of the system. The LEDs or mimics can indicate to the user which button will give a result. In the dark this is particularly useful as you don't have to fumble around trying to find the light switch. But as Alistair correctly says, you can use any type of switch you desire.

Richard