Siemens makes home automation simple but powerful with LOGO!
To expand the concept of flexible and cost-effective building automation into the home environment Siemens showcased its LOGO! automation solution at the recent Building Symposium held at Gallagher Estate.
Siemens Industry Automation and Drive Technologies division’s Josef Ploch says that while the LOGO! automation system is well established in larger industrial and building sites such as shopping centres and office blocks, its full potential for home use in South Africa has yet to be exploited.
“LOGO! PLCs are an efficient, reliable and effective method of controlling mechanical and electrical equipment automatically in such a way that substantial energy savings are realised,” says Ploch. “LOGO! also incorporates a number of useful security features, including an internal clock, which eliminates the need for users to adjust individual timers and ensures it remains unaffected by power outages.”
With more than 1500 units sold in South Africa and over 400 000 sold worldwide each year, Ploch adds that LOGO! building automation enhances energy savings, comfort, convenience, and security.
“It can control more or less everything in the house, including indoor and outdoor lighting, geyser timing, garden irrigation, automatic gates, as well as swimming pool motors and pumps,” he says. “Easily and freely programmable, LOGO! works with all the different individual controllers that do not otherwise talk to each other, so one can combine geyser on/off settings with temperature measurement for example, or integrate other instruments like pressure or light sensors.”
LOGO! was first released in 1996 by Siemens as an alternative to relays, timers and counters, designed to replace auxiliary contacts, reduces writing efforts and bring flexibility to the lowest level of automation as it is easily programmable using a software tool.
The controller uses a small display which is a very effective HMI, showing operating instructions, process variables, error messages or service information without adding additional text displays or operator panels. LOGO! has digital I/Os and some analog inputs, is expandable, and with communication modules can be connected to larger systems.
According to Ploch, LOGO! can be connected to the home’s main electricity board by a specialist installer, who will develop and include a simple programme to take care of the basics of home automation. LOGO! reduces the hurdles associated with changing from conventional control cabinets to PLC controlled systems that typically require well trained engineers and technicians, and because of its ease of use, home owners can develop their own programmes later on and make as many adjustments to the systems as they wish.
“In response to our exhibition objectives we would welcome enquiries from installers and system integrators who are keen to exploit the substantial opportunities available for home automation applications,” concludes Ploch.
For more information contact Keshin Govender, Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2412, [email protected], www.siemens.co.za
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