KNX Visualization

KNX Visualisation

This blog post will highlight an easy way to control your KNX installation directly from your PC.

There are many reasons to add a visualization package to your KNX building automation solution. For example, you may want to open or close the blinds in your office without leaving your desk, or to record the utilization of a particular room by measuring how long the lights and/or air conditioning are on each day.

Visualization also allows you to perform all functions in a particular room in the building, without actually being there. 

Types of visualization

There are three main types of visualization available on the market.  The first type is PC based visualization, where the visualization package runs as an application on a windows PC. The second type of visualization involves an embedded operating system on a piece of hardware which is mounted directly onto the distribution board in the building. These systems usually host an on-board web-server, and users can access the information via any web browser. The third type of visualization involves an "app" on a smart phone,  which can read and write data to and from the building via TCP/IP.

All three types of visualization have their place in the market, and it is impossible to say which is best, because different buildings will have different requirements.

An example of a very good PC based visualization software can be found here