Ad Hoc Electronics promotes EnOcean products for use in wiring log homes

Orem UT (USA) - Ad Hoc Electronics introduces its Battery-free Wireless Switch system, an innovative wireless method to control the lights and fans in log homes. Based on EnOcean’s revolutionary energy-harvesting switch technology, the wireless switch system overcomes two major drawbacks to installing electrical switches in log homes: the need to drill channels into logs for wires and the need to route logs for wall switch boxes.

The battery-free switches operate like normal light switches except they transmit wireless signals to control lights and fans. The switches are powered by energy harvesting technology where the act of clicking the switch creates the energy necessary to control devices. EnOcean-enabled switches are an excellent alternative to the traditional wired switch as they are designed to last equally long but require no maintenance and no wiring.

The enthusiasm for log homes continues to grow in North America, where an expected 30,000 new homes will be built this year. However, wiring a log home often presents a challenge. Log home builders must drill channels within the logs to run cabling, and they must route cavities into logs for switch boxes. This delays the building process, it’s time consuming and costly, it restricts freedom to place switches where desired, and often results in an aesthetically unpleasing appearance.

Using EnOcean’s Wireless Light Switch Kit, switches simply screw in and snap. No time-consuming drilling or routing is required. A relay receiver is wired to a light or fan and a wireless switch that controls the receiver is then mounted at any convenient location. On average, Ad Hoc’s new wiring technique saves a third of the time spent wiring and approximately one quarter of the length of wire used. The switches mount directly to logs using screws or strong adhesives. This enhances flexibility, reduces electrical contractor installation time and costs, and facilitates convenient switch location. Contractors and log home owners can easily move or add switches after the home is finished. The new system lets homeowners change their minds about switch placement, and makes log home remodeling projects more efficient.

The communication from switch to light is done wirelessly, which opens the possibility of full lighting automation. A switch can communicate with an unlimited number of lights or fans, allowing log home owners to have one master switch that will turn every light in the house off or on. “When I walk into my log home showroom I click one switch and all the lights turn on” said Kent Huff of Timberline Log Homes. “I used to walk around the showroom and turn on every light but now I only press one switch.”

Log home owners can leave a remote in their car or place a switch near the front door. When leaving the house owners can press the switch and have the security of knowing that all the lights in the house are off.

One light or fan can be controlled by up to 30 Battery-Free Switches. This allows one light or group of lights to be controlled by multiple switches, giving log home owners the ability to place switches wherever they are convenient. This also allows the benefit of creating lighted pathways. By programming a group of lights that creates a pathway from one destination to the next, log home owners can safely navigate through their home in the middle of the night.

Wireless Light Switch Kit overview

The EnOcean-enabled lighting system is composed of switches and receivers that are integrated into lights or fans, as well as signal repeaters to increase the range for larger log homes.

The Battery-Free Wireless Switches harvest small amounts of energy when the switch is pressed, then use that energy to rapidly transmit high-power radio frequency signals (up to 10 mW power output) to wirelessly control lighting. The Battery-Free Wireless Switch is available in a dual or single rocker, giving log home owners the option of having one or two switches at a single location. The switches come with designer faceplates that are available in over 25 colors and styles. There are also Decora switches available and remotes that come in white, black, or silver.

The complete system is available directly from Ad Hoc Electronics.

About EnOcean www.enocean.com
EnOcean’s groundbreaking technology enables wireless sensors and switches to operate without batteries or external power sources. These self-powered modules convert energy from light, push-buttons, vibration, or temperature gradients into useable electrical energy. The company’s advanced power management architecture enables the operation of sensors and radios off miniscule amounts of available energy. End products are employed in a diverse range of market segments: building automation, industrial manufacturing, security, and automotive. Headquartered in Oberhaching, near Munich, EnOcean GmbH was founded in 2001 as a spin-off from Siemens AG.

About Ad Hoc Electronics www.AdHocElectronics.com
Ad Hoc Electronics is a system integrator and distributor of wireless data transmission products, providing companies with the products and expertise they need to add wireless capability to their own systems and devices. The company integrates and distributes industry-leading products to provide OEMs with turnkey wireless solutions for applications in sensor, controls and networking markets.

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