ABB has launched free training sessions to develop new smart home skills and keep up to date on the latest developments.
Electrical contractors and installers can develop new skills at no cost and take their first steps into smart home systems with ABB's free@home training.
Consumer technologies create more demand for integrated smart home solutions that combine controls for heating, lighting, door entry systems, curtains or blinds, fire and entertainment systems.
Electrical contractors can make the most of this growing interest by learning about the latest smart home systems. This will give them the knowledge to recommend the best systems for customers, order and install the right components for a project, and then ensure they work together properly during commissioning.
Contractors who are interested in attending a training session should register through ABB’s My world of installation web page – look for the free training under Additional tools. Alternatively, they can call 0333 999 9900 or contact their local distributor.
Smart home training
The training is focused on the ABB-free@home smart home system, which is an accessible and affordable home automation solution. It allows homeowners to control lighting, heating and other home functions through a smartphone app.
ABB-free@home is ideal for homeowners looking for an affordable smart home option that is easy to install and operate. It is designed to be straightforward and intuitive for installers, who commission new installations using a dedicated web interface or tablet app with no need for programming knowledge or an expensive software license.
The system can be understood in just a few hours, so contractors only need to take a half-day out to learn the theory, get hands-on experience of the technology, and ask questions about how it works.
After attending a workshop, contractors will have the knowledge and confidence to select, install and commission a smart home system and hand it over to their customer.
Continued guidance available
As well as the training workshops, ABB also hosts online training so that contractors can watch video tutorials and access webinars on new features and functionality anywhere and anytime.
Contractors can find video tutorials via ABB My world of installation in the Video resources section. They can use these to brush up on skills or as a reminder before or even during installation and commissioning projects.
In addition, 18 ‘how to’ videos are hosted on the ‘ABB Low Voltage Products’ YouTube channel, under the free@home playlist. These focus on detailed topics such as adjusting preferences, changing the function of a switch, creating lighting groups, setting up scenes, creating backups and activating voice controls through.
Guidance on the latest additions to the range can be found on ABB’s building automation training and qualification database by searching for ABB free@home training. This has video recordings of past webinars on topics such as the latest hardware additions, setting up security features or setting up voice control through Sonos, Amazon Alexa or Philips Hue.
Another important resource available online is the latest software and firmware. These can be installed remotely to enable the latest functionality and security features. Contractors can update these as part of smart home maintenance contracts.
