With buildings that have a light-transmissive glass façade automated sun protection is often not sufficient. Here a well thought-out concept is necessary which allows for the standardized integration of drive and control technology in master control systems or bus systems. Together with other drive manufacturers elero has developed the interface standard SMI (Standard Motor Interface) – this guarantees a uniform and interference-proof connection between different SMI drives and controls.

Complex networking, complete control
In order to lower the planning time and costs, the elero developers have now constructed a new 8-fold EIB actuator for connection with a European Installation Bus (EIB). Now as many as eight SMI roller shutter or SMI venetian blind drives may be connected in parallel, something which reduces the effort involved in wiring the drives. Thanks to the EIB technology each drive may be controlled individually with its full functionality. Mixed systems with roller shutters and venetian blinds may also be connected to the new 8-fold actuator. Alongside its use in various types of industrial building, the 8-fold actuator is also suited to the control of sun protection in conservatories if the homeowner wishes to have a day- and light-dependent positioning of the blinds. Two “scenes” may be programmed for each blind: With a venetian blind it is thus possible to store and retrieve two positions as well as the slat angle, with roller shutters the storage of two interim positions is possible. Thus a façade-dependent scene selection may also be realized using a central command.

Everything under control
Important for fully networked building technology: With the integration of the EIB-actuator in an EIB/KNX system feedback signals such as the current position or error status can be read out for each channel and output on EIB/KNX output devices such as info displays and screens.

In order to aid customers as early as the planning stage, elero makes the choice of the right drive easier with the help of a checklist. In addition, service packages are offered for the project planning of SMI premises. For example there is the possibility to have project-specific data such as the window lintel and front panel height with venetian blinds programmed before delivery, so as to make commissioning on site or in the plant easier. Likewise, elero supports the commissioning in the EIB/KNX bus system by telephone or on site.

Technology of the SMI:

• Power supply and data transfer in the same cable with 5 wires (for example NYM 5x 1.5)
• Telegram transfer at 2400 bit/second
• Telegram cables are protected against reverse polarity and current surge
• Cable length up to 350 m