4.4.1. The list of consumers

A first list that we produce is for the consumers such as the lights, motors, electric valves, etc. In the floor plans, we gave every consumer a code. However, if we use these codes in meetings with the client or architect, they will probably not know what we are talking about. The code R2 means nothing to them, but they do indeed understand the description “light point terrace”. It also provides a clearer description of the consumers for programming the integrated home system. We then always know what programming to do for what specific consumer.

In the list of consumers, we establish the relationship between an understandable description of a consumer and the relay, dimmer or motor output of the integrated home system that will control this consumer. In other words a relationship is established between the description and the code that we used on the drawings.

Figure 18: “Bathroom fan” tells us much more than the code “R11”.

The list consists of six columns. The first column contains a description of the consumer. Column two contains its code if it is a consumer connected to a relay. The codes of the consumers that are connected to a motor output or a dimmer output are put in columns three and four respectively.

In larger installations it is usual to fit a number of fuse boxes in the home: for example one in an equipment room, one in the attic and one in the garden pavilion. We give each fuse box a number. We note this number alongside each consumer in column five of the list. In this way we can see which fuse box the consumer has to be connected to during the installation.

Figure 19: With the coloured green lines we immediately see that four motors can be connected the motor output modules used.

Figure 20: The dimmers can also be given their own column.

For ease of installation, and in order not have to think too much during the installation (you want to get on with the work), in the last column we note which cable or wires (in a conduit) must be used for the respective consumers. In this way the employees who lay the cables are not in doubt and can correctly do the installation quickly because all the thinking has already been done. Everything is set out on paper.

Finally, note that the above drawings contain some coloured (green) rows. Depending on the number of outputs on the output modules used, these lines visually indicate how many output modules are used. In the above examples, the consumers R1 to R8 inclusive are connected to a relay output module. The consumers R9 to R16 inclusive are connected to a second output module. Two motor output modules are also used that can each control four motors. The output modules for controlling the dimmers each have eight outputs. On the second dimmer control card we only use D9 to D13. For the time being, we thus have three surplus outputs.