Expo Showcases Affordable Home Control

April 1, 2000
Electrical and telecommunications equipment manufacturers at the Electronic House Expo, held March 2-5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, were among the 90 exhibitors showing their wares, hoping to reap profits from the burgeoning home networking equipment and residential gateway market.This market is expected to grow from more than $600 million in 2000 to more than $5.7 billion by

Electrical and telecommunications equipment manufacturers at the Electronic House Expo, held March 2-5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, were among the 90 exhibitors showing their wares, hoping to reap profits from the burgeoning home networking equipment and residential gateway market.

This market is expected to grow from more than $600 million in 2000 to more than $5.7 billion by 2004. To put it another way, more than 50,000 homes per year are currently networked with structured wiring. Experts expect that number to grow to up to 100,000 homes per year by 2004.

Vendors, presenters, and attendees agree all aspects of the connected home, including communications, entertainment, and home systems management will fuse together using refined software protocols, such as LonWorks or CEBus and Internet technology.

A number of manufacturers, such as IBM, Morrisville, N.C., Siemon, Watertown, Conn., and Ortronics, New London, Conn., displayed their version of a modular wiring hub for networks supporting computers, telephones, entertainment, security/surveillance, along with lighting and HVAC control.

Cutler-Hammer, Moon Township, Pa., showed its Smart Convenience-Pak, which offers integrated home control. It includes a programmable Energy Control Center; Power Manager (a module installed in the main circuit breaker panel); solenoid-operated circuit breakers; and controllable switches, which provide dimming control of lights and on/off control of outlets, fans, motors and appliances by sending signals over home power lines.

About the Author

EC&M Staff

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.