C-Bus Switchboards

[Forumadmin]

C-Bus specialised switchboards.

My biggest wish for some years.

Does anyboby else agree?

[znelbok]

Here Here.

I am not even an installer (except of my own system) and I noticed the lack of an obvious component to the system.

They have left some fundamental items out for a complete package

Mick

[Forumadmin]

Here Here.

I am not even an installer (except of my own system) and I noticed the lack of an obvious component to the system.

They have left some fundamental items out for a complete package

Mick
And its not for the want of asking either.!!

[Forumadmin]

Yeah....!!!

There going to happen...

[znelbok]

still have not seen them yet - are they still happening

[Forumadmin]

still have not seen them yet - are they still happening

Latest report is yes they are coming real soon. I have been asking for a Cbus specific board now since the advent of the din range. No body wants them more than me.
Cheers

[znelbok]

no doubt it will be too late, as I will require purchasing them in the next month or two.

ANy hints as to how they will differ

[coppo1]

I would interested in this too...

a very popular question i get asked.

I am not aware of a C-Bus board on the plans ,
however that doesn't mean much.

The only thing i could think specifically for cbus boards is
additional neutral bar and earth "space".

Due to RCD's now required on lighting circuits as well, that means
for most to run Twin & Earth cable for circuits, rather than the days of old
where we could just use a SDI switch wire ( single double insulated - for non leccys).

So all the extra neutrals need to be terminated somewhere in the board.

I would be interested to see suggestions from installers on their wish list
for specs on these "Cbus boards". ;)

[Forumadmin]

Coppo,

David (what's-hes-face) in Adelaide, who is/was in charge of the switchboard manufacturing department has my design. I gave it to him at a face to face meeting some 2.5 to 3 years ago. After every promise in the book, nothing. The design I gave is based on using the existing 4C48FD with a few improvements with a 24 pole version as well.

Some of my design details are:

Knock outs top and bottom for cable passthrough.
L7 neutral x 4 -- adjacent each 12 gang module.
Cable management for cbus cable entry into and out of the board. This management systems is just to provide a barrier from possible 240 volt cable contact while looping to each install module
RJ-45 socket (i.e. 30RJ88SMD) surface mount on side of board and interchangeable, left to right.
Optional 2pole expansion to the din rail and cover width. Allows for an RCDMCB to be fitted.
Cbus cable entry and exit points. Left hand side top and bottom.
I could go on but don't want to bore you. ;)

Cheers

[znelbok]

Due to RCD's now required on lighting circuits as well, that means
for most to run Twin & Earth cable for circuits, rather than the days of old
where we could just use a SDI switch wire ( single double insulated - for non leccys).

So all the extra neutrals need to be terminated somewhere in the board.



This is how I did my first isntall, lots of cable needed. The secnd install used the old standard way of doing it, looping at the light, but the active was not connected in the switchboard, and the switch wire ran back to the c-bus relay instead of the switch (SDI not twin). A much neater install and a lot less cable needed.

Doing THis meant that a protected neutral bar was not needed as there was only one neutral per RCD which was termianted at the RCD.

Doing it the first way I did it really filled the board and finding neutrals was difficult.

I like the idea of having the RCD adjacent to the din rail module, makes for easy comprehension of the isolation required (and help with mislabelling)

As for the rest, well I had all LV cable on the top left, entering in through a cut hole, ELV c-bus was on the top right (flush mount install). I installed a surface mount two gang rj45 socket on the left using the double sided tape that comes with it. Most of the items on Ross' list are easy to do anyway without clipsal making a special board. Not that it would be a bad thing though. The board is a nice board as well, plenty of room, and a 24 pole would be good.

[coppo1]

Yeh, you are right lots more cable used with the seperate load circuits.

However, the following problems can be experienced with using non-twin cables, ie SDI.

Can , but not always have issues with location of neutrals and their
connection to RCD. if using 1 rcd on all lighting, simple. If you go more than
1 RCD on lighting for whatever reason, crossed neutrals between RCD's will
then cause RCD's to trip.

The big problem to watch out for when the Switch wire and neutral are not run together is "noise/ interference".

IN previous installations, (not just c-bus), i have seen alot of interference
caused on "dimmed circuits", where the switched active is run down one side
of the roof and the neutral is picked up from the other side of installation.

This creates an antenna effect that picks up interference and is very noticable
when on a dimmer, if on relay or standard switch it does not appear.

All that being said i still haven't heard any suggestions for actual board design
or requirements.

[Forumadmin]

All that being said i still haven't heard any suggestions for actual board design
or requirements

Me neither. :rolleyes: