C-Bus automation
the right solution for this luxury home on the Apple Isle.
By Richard Mead.
This article appeared in Electrical Gems Issue 83, February—March 2008
When Paul and Denise Sutcliffe of Sutcliffe Earthmoving in Tasmania decided to build their dream home on the banks of Hobart's picturesque Otago Bay, they called on John Dennison Electrical to provide them with an electrical solution.
Having bought a waterfront block, Paul and Denise asked John Dennison, who had worked with the Sutcliffes on their previous home about three years ago, to carry out the electrical work on their brand new residence. "Paul and Denise were really happy with the work we did last time and decided to give us a bit of free reign on their new house," said John. "They were owner builders on this house and contracted all the work out."
With construction of the home starting in July 2005, the three-storey luxury home took around 20 months to complete. The extensive electrical work, which included Clipsal C-Bus products, was calculated as taking John and his team 1,200 man-hours.
John Dennison and his NECA award-winning business (for their work on the Myer Hobart refurbishment) brought nearly 30 years of electrical experience to the Otago Bay home. John's team is made up of himself, his wife Peta-Louise (who looks after the office) electrician Mathew Sullivan and second year apprentice Adam Solak.
The 110 square metre home features breathtaking views and includes a swimming pool, gymnasium, bar/entertaining area and magnificent courtyard. Upstairs is the formal dining area and kitchen as well as kids' quarters including their own rumpus and TV room. Then there is the parents' retreat with a walk-in robe and ensuite as well as home office.
Clipsal C-Bus was used for all lighting control with three black and white touchscreens installed around the home. While Paul and Denise have only just moved in, they are already commenting that the touchscreens and DLTs (C-Bus switches with Dynamic Labelling Technology) help in identifying the lights.
"The ability to program scenes, and 'all on' or 'all off' functions are also great because Paul was concerned with the kids leaving lights on around the house. I suggested installing a 'master off' DLT in Paul and Denise's bedroom to allow them to turn the lights off in one easy motion," said John. Throughout the majority of the home, John installed Clipsal C-Bus Saturn switches – with around 30 being used.
The manager of my wholesaler - Craig Bidgood and EWM - helped me out with advice on C-Bus.
John Dennison, John Dennison Electrical
Infrascans have been used in the hallways and garage to minimise energy usage. "We used three external Clipsal Infrascans and sunset switches along the outdoor footpath. The Infrascans are linked to C-Bus and we are thinking of incorporating the security system and smoke alarms to the C-Bus system as an exit path in the event of a fire," John added.
One 30 module, one 45 module and three 60 module enclosures were installed throughout the house containing all the C-Bus relays and circuit breakers. John also used six standard and four dimming relays.
John installed around eighty C2000 powerpoints in the residence. "The Clipsal C2000 Range was used throughout Paul and Denise's home and allows for easy access to power on all three storeys," John explained.
John has confidence in Clipsal and the service he received from his Clipsal representatives throughout the project.
"Also, the manager of my wholesaler - Craig Bidgood and EWM - helped me out with advice on C-Bus," said John.
Denise and Paul are extremely happy with their new home and the electrical work carried out by John and his team. "We have used John Dennison before and we have been very happy with his professionalism and the installation of Clipsal C-Bus is great," explained Denise. "Although we have only just moved into the house, the Clipsal products seem fantastic."