The 1604 Control System

Introduction and History The 1604 Control system is Version 1. Version 2 is the PMBACS Control System. (more information) From an idea I had in the early 1990s the 1604 system evolved through 3 or 4 protoypes during a very intensive development period of about 5000 hours work achieved in one year. The first system was installed in a show home that was given away as part of a loyalty program promotion. The 1604 system consists of three main modules: Smart Switch = the main system controller, a light switch sized module Dumb Switch = a low cost switch of limited function Triac Module = mains power dimmer and switching module The smart switch is the brain of the system. It controls 3 lighting circuits, alarms and other features. The smart switches are all linked together by a network. The first version Smart Switch was based on a "single-chip microcontroller" that had to be replaced to update the program. This was quite a dissadvantage as the average home had 20 or so smart switches. At the time this was a reasonable microcontroller considering function, availability and cost. The first major improvement to the Smart Switch allowed the program to be updated without removing it from the wall. This saved time and allowed software improvements to be installed at low cost. The original switches had raised, textured soft touch buttons. The next batch had flat smooth buttons. The first ones were not too bad; reasonable feel if alligned correctly during production. The flat ones were terrible. without the raised button you couldn't find them by feel and they were very difficult to use. The next major step was to move to a plastic moulding with 4 large oval buttons. This is the style that is still available. It was easier to assemble during production but there were still some problems with feel, allignment and variation between switches. Each button has an indicator that lights red, green or orange. It proved to be very difficult to get a good indications. .

We may be able to offering support to existing 1604 system owners if requested. email with questions For our home page click here

A few images of the Original 1604 system There are supposed to be arround 200 installed systems operating within New Zealand covering all three versions, these pictures were take from a display panel. The first and second version switches are here for reference only. The third version switch is the only one being offered at this time. The three versions are compatible.
First Version - Smart Switch (Just for reference - no longer produced) This was the original control switch I designed. The lexan front panel and raised buttons worked reasonably well. I have improved on the feel and operation of the buttons since the original smart switch.			Second Version - Smart Switch (Just for reference - no longer produced) This is basically the same as the first version but to reduce production costs "they" decided to do away with the raised buttons; big mistake. The buttons are flat and have no feel.
Third Version - Smart Switch (Current model) Smart House Systems Ltd designed the front plastic plate and buttons PMB designed the rear housing, circuit boards and software.			Triac Modules (Mains power control) This is the first mains power dimmer module I designed. It's proven to be very reliable and works quite well. The only real disadvantge is that it's a leading edge controller. Trailing edge is preffered these days.
System Power Supply (behind the scenes) One of the only real problems with the 1604 system has been the centralized power distribution. It has taken some effort to overcome. Our new PMBACS control system has eliminated this problem.			Control Expansion Module (behind the scenes) This module was developed as a diagnostic tool and programming interface. It connects to the system network. It has not been extensively used.
These pictures were taken of modules attaches to my display board.

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last updated: 19 June 2004