Wireless technology has aesthetic innovations these days. Building automation employs various wireless technical modules for energy consumption and the comfort of the living. In this era of smart homes, isn't it amazing to enhance the green concepts with battery-less and wireless technology? This brings to the implementation of EnOcean technology.
What is EnOcean?
EnOcean is a proven technology to save energy and money. It is basically a world-wide radio technology standard for the battery-less and wireless modules. It can enhance the standard and the convenience of living.
The EnOcean switches and sensors do not require separate power supplies. They can reap the power of their own and are termed as the energy harvesting modules.
How do EnOcean modules harvest energy?
Enocean switches do not have inbuilt batteries for their power supply. They harvest the driving energy from their corresponding actuating forces. The energy generated from the manual pressing for ON/OFF action of the switch is employed as their power supply. Some EnOcean sensors use solar panels to harvest ambient energy for their power supply.
When the switches or sensors are turned ON, the corresponding radio signals will be transmitted to the receiving section and thereby the respective loads are turned ON.
Is there any drawback to this system?
The range of transmission of radio signals to the receivers is 30 meters in the buildings and 300 meters in the open areas. The walls and alike barrier kind of surfaces tend to affect the signal transmission. The range of signal transmission is one drawback of this system. Apart from this drawback, several other features make it a better option for domotics.
Key benefits
- Less complexities and maintenance expenses compared to that of conventional wiring systems.
- Installation and usage of EnOcean modules are relatively easier than conventional systems.
- Energy harvesting in EnOcean technology enables the absence of battery power supplies. Thereby, the regular battery replacement procedures can also be prevented.
- They can be easily upgrade and expand at any time.
Several multinational branded switches and sensors employing EnOcean concepts are available in the building automation markets. Due to the easy installation and maintenance, they are highly recommended in complex applications.
