Why We Still Support C-Bus (And When to Upgrade It)

Introduction

If your home or building has an existing C-Bus lighting control system, you’re not alone. C-Bus was the dominant automation system in Australia from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s — and for good reason.

At Circuit Logic, we still service, maintain, and expand C-Bus systems across the Gold Coast and SE QLD. But we also help clients know when it’s time to upgrade, and what their options are if their system starts showing signs of age.

What is C-Bus and Why Was It Popular?

C-Bus is a proprietary lighting automation system developed in Australia and acquired by Schneider Electric. It offered:

• Scene-based lighting control
• Stylish wall panels like Saturn and eDLT
• Integration with AV and basic automation
• Good stability and broad electrician familiarity

It was ahead of its time — but in 2025, it’s starting to show its limits.

Signs Your C-Bus System Needs Attention

Here’s when we typically get called in:

• Lights flickering, stuck on, or not responding
• Wall switches (like Saturn series) no longer working
• Dimmers or relays overheating
• Power supply or backbone issues
• No way to access or reprogram the system due to software lockouts

We can diagnose these faults and either repair, replace, or modernise the affected parts.

Can C-Bus Be Upgraded or Expanded?

Yes — but with caveats.

We regularly help clients:

• Replace failed relay or dimmer modules
• Add new switches or reprogram scenes
• Swap out old power supplies
• Update older software logic

But expansion is limited by:

• Hardware availability
• Installer software access (Toolkit and Wiser)
• Vendor support shrinking over time

That’s where KNX or DALI often becomes the better long-term solution.

When to Upgrade from C-Bus to KNX or DALI

You should consider migrating when:

• You’re renovating or rewiring
• You want to integrate HVAC, blinds, energy, or security
• Parts become hard to source or fail frequently
• You want open standards, mobile access, or future-proofing

We’ve helped clients migrate from C-Bus to KNX using staged upgrades:

• Start with lighting
• Then layer in HVAC, blinds, or solar
• Keep existing wiring where possible
• Blend in new UI panels (Zennio, Theben, Basalte)

C-Bus vs KNX: Quick Summary

Our Approach

At Circuit Logic, we’ll never tell you to replace your C-Bus system if we can get it working. But when the time comes, we’ll make sure your next system is built to last — with clean logic, open integration, and local support.