KNX (UK) - KNX Lighting Controls Solution for The British
Library provides long term benefits
After careful consideration of all the lighting
control systems available in the UK, the British Library
opted for a KNX (formerly known as EIB European
Installation Bus) based lighting controls to replace its
existing system. The simplicity of the KNX installation
and lack of disruption during installation were pivotal
to the specification.
Famous for its reading rooms, auditorium and meeting
rooms, the British Library is the national library of
the UK and the building is the largest constructed in
the UK in the 20th century. The basement extends to a
depth of 24.5 metres and its 14 floors with 112,000
square metres of floor-space. The solution provided
connects all the risers in the library’s basement with a
KNX bus that extends throughout the building. Connecting
the KNX lighting control into one system over such a
large building was achieved by providing a backbone
using IP over copper, and in some areas over fibre optic
media.
When the existing control system was replaced by the KNX
system, many additional functions were provided. These
included the use of DALI lighting controls, head end
graphical packages providing time-based scheduling,
manual override control functions and field status such
as real-time lamp failure together with facilities for
constant light control and energy reduction. Blind and
screen controls were also installed in meeting rooms.
KNX Systems integrator for the project was Andromeda
Telematics Limited who are just one of a number of
systems integrators that are members of KNX UK and
provide KNX-driven home and building control systems.
Future proofing was also a major consideration for the
Library as the building is designed to have a life-span
of over 50-years. With KNX the product, manufacturers
guarantee that any new KNX products will be totally
compatible with any existing installations therefore
maintenance and spares would not be a problem in the
future.
Due to the KNX philosophy of ‘open protocol’ with a
common software configuration tool, known as ETS,
Andromeda Telematics Ltd were able to train the library
engineering staff to maintain and reconfigure the system
themselves therefore giving the client full control over
their system.
The KNX system also forms a major part of the library’s
energy conservation strategy. Lighting within any major
public building is one of the main consumers of
electrical energy and must be controlled to optimise all
possibly energy savings at the same time as giving the
flexibility and levels of functionality required.
Email:
admin@konnexuk.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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