Jung UK CEO, Graham Oliver, points out the overlooked power and convenience of KNX switches. A great deal of imagery around smart buildings focuses on touch pad controls and pictures of phone Apps, all of which is very 21st century, but not always what the client wants. Who wants to run off and find their smartphone when they want to change the lighting in a room or heat the water for a shower?

– A switch on the wall is much more convenient and with a low voltage KNX switch, you can access controls from anywhere in your house even from right within your shower – possible with KNX as it is safety extra low voltage.

– and let’s not limit ourselves to shaver points in our bathrooms – this switch shows bathroom light control, lights either side of mirror, music and curtains – all switchable from the sink area! It has a KNX cable behind it and no mains electricity a fundamental benefit of KNX to the daily comfort of real people in a real world. A world in which the least amount of fuss and frustration can make all the difference.

Despite the focus on touch screens the vast majority of controllers (aka switches) used in KNX installations are not touch screens but switches and controllers like these, they can remain sleek and anonymous in a variety of finishes, or can be custom labelled.

And it’s not just Jung many other manufacturers supply KNX Switches all with their own intelligent and innovative designs, Paul Foulkes, Theben point out:

“Complex control points and touch panels at the entrance to a room can cause confusion and over complication. When you enter a room a simple “switch” to turn on the light is often all that we really need. The more complex actions: setting scenes, moving blinds, adjusting heating can be controlled from a point central to the room, or from your phone. So the importance of simple switching is essential, and KNX fulfils this role ease.  Complex touch panels are the epitome of the perceived high end smart home. But KNX can also have a role in assisted living. Colour coded face plates and surrounds, different textures and simple to operate switch actions can be the key to effective control for someone with motor issues or the visibly impaired. KNX offers this with true smart home power underneath the surface.”

Jacob de Muijnck, Director Gira UK Ltd., added: “Understatement on purpose. Quite a few people drive a very comfortable car like a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. But you can’t see what motor type or what technology is used inside. On the outside, the car will look rather ordinary, but when driving it you will know better. With the KNX pushbuttons its quite alike: the comfort of a KNX installation is highly appreciated by many customers, but the high tech look of many operating controls is not wanted, customers like to use and see the pushbutton in the same pure and sleek design of a conventional 230V switch. And yes, that is possible.

First-class KNX-technology combined with first-class pure and sleek design. What is possible for your car, is also possible at home.”

The phrase smart home and smart building is often illustrated by happy people controlling their environment using their smartphone or tablet – and you can do this – BUT intelligently designed low voltage safety switches are much more convenient and can be situated wherever they are needed most.