European market (Italy)

LukeDVR

New Member
Hi all,
sorry for my trivial question but i'm new to home automation world and I live in Italy.

Where i can find a list of product (or producer) suitable for use on 220v systems?

Thanks a lot
 
Hi Luke,

I'm living partly in Germany and partly in Texas and have basicly the same problem.

From the stuff in the US (with 110 V and 60 Hz) you cannot use the X10-products.
just because (the US-version of) the X10-family uses the timing from the 60Hz - and in Europe we have 50Hz.
Yes, there are special X-10-devices for 50-Hz and 230V too, AFAIK made in Canada for the European market.
But the price is significant higher, because the market and so the series are smaller.

For general use and testing, I have a small transformer from 230V to 115 V with the (unsafe and unstable) US-outlets. Just if I need an US-outlet for any small charger or so. The same I have vice-versa in Texas. And I need both!

One thing which will work in the US as in Europe should be the ELK-system. Because it is nothing else as a computer feeded by 24 V AC and operated as backed up with 12V DC. And has some (digital as analog) Inputs and digital outputs (TTL or relais-contacts). And it can handle a telefone-line (has english voice as a modem). Yes, more than 200 inputs and more than 200 outputs are possible. And extentions via several ports (Serial, Ethernet, RS485). I have already a second ELK-system in Texas. Sooner ar later that will watch and controll my house in Germany. But at first I must finish my house here ;-)

But in Europe there are also other rather good systems. Google for "FS20" and you'll find www.elv.de . This product-family has more possibilities as the X10-system, is completely wireless and not as pricy as the European version of the X10 components. FS20 contains a large varity of transmitters (manual, timers, by phone, by PC, temp, light etc) and receivers (switch&dimm 230VC, relay-outputs, regulators / thermostats for central warmwater heating, controlling roller blinds etc). The only disadvantage is: www.elv.de (another source is www.conrad.de) has german language only. Sorry. Here in Germany, I'm using a lot of FS20 stuff and also the older (not compatible) FS10 stuff. FS10 was basicly the same, but is using other frequencies and this old system has no backchannel.

Well, ... I think, what you need depends on what you have to controll. What are your intentions?

A real universal idea is the EIB (Europaen Installation Bus, 4 wires: 2 for 230 VAC and 2 for datas). This system is real universal as professionell, - if you have less than 65'00 points to controll(!), - but expensiv too. On the other side this is standardized and you can buy sensors as actors from several manufactors. Consider this only(?) when building a new large house or equip a factory.

ps - I just checked it: www.conrad.de is offering a catalog in english language, is not delivering to the US (due to high insurance and shipping costs) but to Italy (12 Euros for packages up to 30 kg). Conrad is not too expensive but may have not the full line of FS20-parts as it is available from www.elv.de
 
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