Trend System

[EddieCurrent]

Hello All,
I spent some time recently at a rather nice home that had a 'trend' building management system. With light switches that had discreet buttons that controlled various things from curtains to re-setting the intruder alarm etc around the house, needless to say I was very impressed.
I was wondering if anybody has ever worked on such a system , and if so, are Trend the only people who make a domestic system ???

Thanks for your time.

 

[Pensdown]

I’m quite surprised that you've come across Trend for a domestic BMS as they normally specialise in commercial HVAC applications and large building automation projects. But having said that, because their kit is very flexible there is no reason (apart from cost) why it shouldn’t be used.

If you search “home automation” you will find loads of companies that offer products to make your maid redundant most of which are better suited to the domestic market as programme changes are simple and can be done by yourself.

And for the average domestic automation project there are products like this that cost less than £100.00 and are very easy to programme.

http://www.houston-associates.com/vpo/virtualpo/schneider_iss/press_ISS139.htm

 

[EddieCurrent]

Thanks Pensdown.
I'll look into that link.
I too had never seen this type of BMS system, I have seen BMS's controlling HVAC as you say, in offices , but this place was obviously tailor made to the customers requirements !!( he did have 7 formula one race cars in his garage, so money was no problem obviously , an eye opening experience for me ! )

 

[Steve]

lazy gits.

 

[Pensdown]

( he did have 7 formula one race cars in his garage, so money was no problem obviously , an eye opening experience for me ! )

How the other half live!

 

[Pensdown]

lazy gits.

Who owns a remote control dimmer?

 

[Steve]

lazy gits.

Who owns a remote control dimmer?

Anyway, its different spending £20 to make my light controllable from my bed, and spending £thousands so my blinds will open at 8am and the kettle will come on etc.

I probably still would if i had the money though!

 

[Pensdown]

Designing and installing a project like the one above would be dream job. But as you say, if money were no object, doing it in your own home would be the icing on the cake!

 

[Big_Spark]

Eddie, it's likely that all the key systems have controllers attached that use "Echelon" chips, as such most of the mainstream BMS systems will operate the system, however some of the newer Trend packages are highly adaptable and use a web browser interface for primary control. Once setup by an experienced engineer, the system is pretty easy to use.

I have never seen that type of system in a domestic premises EXCEPT one built in Richmond a few years back for Crown Prince Abdulla Bin (bla bla bla bla bla bla) of Bahrain. The house is mahoosive and has an Olympic size pool in the entrance hallway. The build budget for the house was some £38 Million, but finished at something like £44 Million..apparently, according to the Wates Construction Project Manager, there was then a £100 Million budget for furnishings and decorations..painting and the like...

Blooming crazy if you ask me as the Guy was only building it for when friends and family visit the UK, he only ever stays at the Ritx apparently!!!

 

[EddieCurrent]

I should mention the fact that I never saw the owner smile during the three months I was working there. He always seemed to be stressed out with his 'hobbies' etc. I felt like shaking him sometimes, and telling him to sort himself out ! Not allowed to do that though.
Inspired by his 'trend system' though, I am considering getting a plug in timer!

 

[Big_Spark]

I am considering getting a plug in timer!

From little acorns my friend....

 

[EddieCurrent]

Cheers Big Spark,
Are you saying that my pursuits are trivial !!!! ,
Should I look into the study of 'ground source heat pumps' rather than 'domestic management systems' ?
I want to do a project, for myself, i and thought that it would be fun to have a self-designed home and see what I could do with it, as for the ground source heat pumps, i am interested in the whole concept, as I find the concept fascinating tbh,
The electrical properties I thought were fun to begin with, but have not been so simple when I went into it, as I couldn't think of what needed to be controlled other than by the 'user'.

 

[EddieCurrent]

Sorry, that must have been my split personality clashing with me again !
sokay we are ok now.

 

[Mister Dobbo]

Bit of an old thread to reserect, I do Trend software and front end graphics etc... I was wondering were this house was, is it in Oxfordshire by any chance?