Elk Products has just made it much simpler to integrate its security and automation systems with lighting and other UPB-enabled devices

Created by Powerline Control Systems, UPB (Universal Powerline Bus) is a powerline technology built into light switches, dimmers, appliance modules and other automated devices, most notably PCS’s own PulseWorx branded products.

UPB is widely considered to be one of the best powerline-based solutions for automation applications.

Elk, which makes affordable security and automation systems for consumers and integrators, previously had integrated with UPB via an external serial port expander. Now the company is combining UPB and the Elk M1 Control Data Bus protocol into a single interface.

The forthcoming ELKM1PIM and PIM-E powerline interface modules will enable ELKM1 and EZ8 control panels to control UPB products natively, without the need for a serial adapter and additional wiring.

The interface will be available in early August through both companies.

Julie Jacobson - Editor-at-large, CE Pro

Julie Jacobson is co-founder of EH Publishing and currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro, mostly in the areas of home automation, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration. She majored in Economics at the University of Michigan, earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and has never taken a journalism class in her life. Julie is a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player with the scars to prove it. Follow her on Twitter @juliejacobson.