astral from MK Electric

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  • Mr Man
    Automated Home Lurker
    • Sep 2009
    • 5

    astral from MK Electric

    A new product range is available:

    MK Electric brings star quality to wireless lighting control targeted for British Standards markets

    In keeping with its status as one of the world’s leading wiring device businesses, MK Electric is enhancing the possibilities of wireless lighting control with the launch of astral™ – a Z-Wave ‘MESH’ based system that uses proven radio frequency (RF) technology to control lighting applications within residential, commercial or hospitality environments. The system offers significant benefits that will appeal to the installer, specifier and developer depending on requirements.

    MESH networking is a way to route data between nodes (devices) using RF communication, making it suitable for any installation where flexibility and versatility are important. The technology’s flexibility is due to it not requiring ‘line-of-sight’ to successfully send operating instructions between devices or points. Instead all mains powered devices in the system are ‘linked’ together (the ‘MESH’), providing multiple and alternative routes through which the RF signals can travel. The more devices in the overall installation, the more robust the communication path becomes.

    astral devices – the initial range comprising controllers, dimmers and switches – have the capability to control lighting in one particular room, but also lighting throughout the entire property. Each device is effectively a transceiver – both receiving and transmitting RF signals. Signals are detected by all other astral devices within range, or any other device with Z-Wave™ as its inherent RF “language” and when programmed to do so, will control the lighting connected to them; or they will forward the signal to the desired destination device via the most effective and efficient route.

    This means the user may control lighting anywhere in the building, either turning it on or off, dimming it up or down, or setting lighting scenes.

    The ability of the signal to ‘hop’ from device to device increases the distance over which the system can communicate, opening up more possibilities for larger installations than traditional RF based systems.

    There is no central hub with astral - all intelligence is distributed between the devices, this offers maximum system range and flexibility

    In most installations you will find a remote control, this has the capability to control four preset scenes and groups. Each scene or group can theoretically control up to 64 switches and/or dimmers, instructing them how to respond Lights can be dimmed, turned on or off or indeed set to preset levels simply and quickly.

    Other wall-mounted controllers are available that can be mains- or battery- powered. Battery-powered controllers can be portable and by their nature are extremely quick to install and ideal for system expansion

    Furthermore, a switch directly connected to a lighting circuit, is able to control via its inherent RF capability, a number of other switches or dimmers in a group. Similarly a dimmer can also control other switches or dimmers in a scene or group. No longer does the light you are controlling need to be wired to the switch or dimmer controlling it!

    For the installer astral provides the following advantages:
    • Easy to design and expand; simply requires the new device to be within range of existing mains powered device;
    • Easy to retrofit; all mains powered devices can be installed in a 35mm back box and dependent upon the device and lighting connected can use just the existing 2 wires found within traditional wiring circuits
    • Easy to configure, commission and programme.

    For the specifier astral provides a number of benefits:
    • Both new build and refurbishment applications;
    • Energy saving capability; low power consumption of devices <1W;
    • Choice of finish and functionality; metal and plastic faceplates, to complement existing MK ranges

    For the developer astral offers the opportunity to:
    • Add considerable value through the provision of a lighting control system that is reliable, easy to use and convenient for the end user
    • Integrate with two established MK wiring device ranges for design continuity;
    • Offer the promise of increased energy saving through convenient and simple control over the lighting

    Finally, the use of the proven Z-Wave™ RF platform – currently used by over 160 manufacturers worldwide – means that astral™ installations can be expanded beyond lighting control to integrate with other applications.
  • conradv
    Automated Home Lurker
    • Nov 2009
    • 1

    #2
    Seems very interesting but I could not find any reseller at the moment maybe since it's been launched recently. Do you have any information from where to buy such items. Moreover, I noticed that they do not produce a pc controller yet. Do you suggest a particular brand which matches the same frequency?

    Thanks

    Comment

    • toscal
      Moderator
      • Oct 2005
      • 2061

      #3
      Since its Zwave then any Zwave PC controller designed for the UK will work.
      IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
      Renovation Spain Blog

      Comment

      • Bomber1965
        Automated Home Jr Member
        • Nov 2008
        • 12

        #4
        Originally posted by conradv View Post
        Seems very interesting but I could not find any reseller at the moment maybe since it's been launched recently. Do you have any information from where to buy such items. Moreover, I noticed that they do not produce a pc controller yet. Do you suggest a particular brand which matches the same frequency?

        Thanks
        They are available through Edmundsons in Oxford so I believe.

        Link to manufacture information - 1st class product

        http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/en-GB/Pr...s/default.aspx

        Comment

        • dudexk
          Automated Home Lurker
          • Dec 2009
          • 4

          #5
          Real life experience

          Has anyone actually installed the Astral system? I'm thinking of installing them in the next few weeks but need to know how they perform in real life... Would be helpful to know if they fully interoperate with controllers from different manufacturers.

          Any help would be highly appreciated.
          Thanks.

          Comment

          • hackeron
            Automated Home Lurker
            • Dec 2009
            • 2

            #6
            Originally posted by dudexk View Post
            Has anyone actually installed the Astral system? I'm thinking of installing them in the next few weeks but need to know how they perform in real life... Would be helpful to know if they fully interoperate with controllers from different manufacturers.

            Any help would be highly appreciated.
            Thanks.
            Where can you even buy it? -- Is there an online store? -- Are prices available anywhere?

            Comment

            • dudexk
              Automated Home Lurker
              • Dec 2009
              • 4

              #7
              You can buy them from Nu-line in Ladbrove Grove (London). I'm thinking of using a panel from Merten or Pulse with Astral switches. Not sure if it'll work though, I guess I have to wait till Jan 4th when their tech guys come back.

              Comment

              • dudexk
                Automated Home Lurker
                • Dec 2009
                • 4

                #8
                Astral prices

                MK Astral trade prices attached. They're quite high though...
                Attached Files

                Comment

                • kruncho
                  Automated Home Lurker
                  • Jan 2010
                  • 1

                  #9
                  Any tried them?

                  Comment

                  • Geeba
                    Automated Home Jr Member
                    • Feb 2009
                    • 13

                    #10
                    Originally posted by kruncho View Post
                    Any tried them?
                    I have them - I helped with the testing on them last year - fantastic product.

                    Comment

                    • dudexk
                      Automated Home Lurker
                      • Dec 2009
                      • 4

                      #11
                      Perhaps you can let us know what they're so over-priced. I've now opted for the Merten and Duwi range of switches, which in my opinion look much nicer especially with the glass frames. It's much cheaper as well...

                      Comment

                      • Geeba
                        Automated Home Jr Member
                        • Feb 2009
                        • 13

                        #12
                        Originally posted by dudexk View Post
                        Perhaps you can let us know what they're so over-priced. I've now opted for the Merten and Duwi range of switches, which in my opinion look much nicer especially with the glass frames. It's much cheaper as well...
                        No idea - we were also shocked with the prices - to be honest after installing them they dont skip a beat - they do look nice to with the inter-changable covers and a low blue glow around them... they fit a 35mm back box with no problems and look familiar when your wiring them up..... we have found other products seem to switch themselves on and off on their own accord and dont respond to commands from other devices instantly - the MK kit I hate to say just worked!

                        Comment

                        • panny
                          Automated Home Jr Member
                          • Jan 2009
                          • 14

                          #13
                          Originally posted by dudexk View Post
                          Perhaps you can let us know what they're so over-priced. I've now opted for the Merten and Duwi range of switches, which in my opinion look much nicer especially with the glass frames. It's much cheaper as well...
                          Where did you get these from?

                          Comment

                          • jchahal
                            Automated Home Lurker
                            • Jun 2011
                            • 2

                            #14
                            How to get in contact With MK direct?

                            I am new to home automation lighting and i am looking at the MK Astral range.

                            I wanted to get a price from MK direct. Does anyone have any contact details for them?

                            Thanks

                            Comment

                            • Geeba
                              Automated Home Jr Member
                              • Feb 2009
                              • 13

                              #15
                              Originally posted by jchahal View Post
                              I am new to home automation lighting and i am looking at the MK Astral range.

                              I wanted to get a price from MK direct. Does anyone have any contact details for them?

                              Thanks
                              MK wont sell directly to you, they have dealers for Astral

                              Edmundsons are the dealer from memory, they were etremely expensive.

                              Looking for an electrical wholesaler? Click here to find out more. We are Edmundson Electrical the UK's largest electrical wholesaler, operating across more than 240 locations in the UK. For quality service and same-day delivery, choose Edmundson Electrical.


                              We were part of the beta testing and we tried to get the Astral range to work with Lagotek HIP but dual channel Z-Wave put an end to that... I still have all the Astral kit.

                              Comment

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