Busch-Jaeger
ABB's German premium switch brand — KNX and free@home systems for residential and commercial projects.
Busch-Jaeger (Lüdenscheid, Germany — founded 1869) is one of Germany's oldest and most established electrical installation brands. Since 2003 a wholly owned subsidiary of ABB, Busch-Jaeger manufactures premium KNX switches, sensors and actuators under the Busch-Installationsbus brand, as well as their proprietary free@home system — a simplified smart home protocol targeting integrators who need KNX-level functionality without full ETS6 certification requirements. Busch-Jaeger's aesthetics compete directly with Gira and Jung in the premium residential market, with their iconic future® linear and Axcent Pure range popular in minimalist interior design projects across DACH.
Role in our panels
How we use Busch-Jaeger
Busch-Jaeger's product ecosystem has two distinct layers: (1) KNX (Busch-Installationsbus): full IEC 14543-3 compliant KNX TP devices — pushbuttons, presence detectors, room thermostats, DALI gateways, binary inputs and actuators. Fully interoperable with all other KNX devices from any manufacturer. Programmed in ETS6. (2) free@home: ABB's proprietary smart home system using a System Access Point (SysAP) as the central controller. Simpler than KNX — the free@home app replaces ETS6 for commissioning. Devices use a proprietary protocol over standard Cat5/6 cabling. The Busch-free@home Panel is a touchscreen wall controller. free@home connects to KNX via a free@home/KNX gateway — enabling hybrid projects where some zones use free@home and others use full KNX.
In KNX panels for premium residential projects, Busch-Jaeger KNX devices are specified as room-level components — pushbuttons, presence detectors and room controllers. No dedicated panel hardware is required for Busch-Jaeger beyond the standard KNX DIN-rail module (power supply, IP router). The Busch-Komfort-Panel (ControlTouch) — a 7" wall-mounted touchscreen — is the premium visualisation option, running on the Busch-Jaeger server and displaying KNX group address states. For free@home projects, the System Access Point is a DIN-rail module that installs in the panel and provides the IP backbone for all free@home devices on the installation bus. PanelCraft integrates free@home SysAP or KNX IP routers from Busch-Jaeger/ABB depending on the project specification.
Used in these project types
Busch-Jaeger products
Key components we install
Busch-Komfort-Panel 7"
7-inch capacitive touchscreen KNX room controller. Integrates with ETS6 as standard KNX device. Displays group address states, switches lighting, controls blinds and HVAC setpoints. Portrait or landscape mount. Used as premium room controller in living rooms and master bedrooms. Alternative to Gira X1/G1 for Busch-Jaeger product families.
Busch Installationsbus Pushbutton 4-gang
4-gang KNX pushbutton sensor with LED indicators and temperature sensor option. Available in future® Linear, Axcent, and pur stainless steel design lines. Programmed in ETS6. Supports scene trigger, dim/blind value, and 1-byte DPT. Standard specification for premium DACH residential and hotel projects.
Busch-Wächter Presence Detector KNX
360° ceiling-mount presence detector for KNX. Dual-technology (PIR + HF). Lux measurement for daylight linking. Configurable hold time, sensitivity and output groups. Used in offices, hotel corridors and conference rooms for occupancy-controlled lighting and HVAC.
free@home System Access Point
Central controller for free@home systems. DIN-rail mount in electrical panel. Connects to Cat5/6 free@home installation bus. Provides local web server (app/browser access), cloud access via myBUSCH-JAEGER, and REST API for third-party integration. free@home/KNX gateway option for hybrid projects.
Busch-Jaeger KNX RF (Radio Frequency)
868 MHz radio-frequency KNX devices (pushbuttons, sensors) for retrofit where KNX TP wiring is not possible. RF devices join the standard KNX installation via a KNX RF/TP gateway. Batteryless EnOcean-based versions available. Used in historic building renovation projects.
Busch-Jaeger FAQ
Is free@home compatible with standard KNX devices?
free@home uses a proprietary protocol — free@home devices do not appear in ETS6 and are not interoperable with standard KNX devices directly. The free@home/KNX Gateway (sold separately) bridges the two systems: free@home scenes and switches can trigger KNX group addresses, and KNX status can be displayed in the free@home app. For fully interoperable projects, use Busch-Installationsbus KNX devices programmed in ETS6 — these work alongside any other certified KNX manufacturer's devices.
How does Busch-Jaeger compare to Gira for premium residential?
Both brands offer similar KNX functionality at similar price points. Key differences: Gira's System 55 frame system has the widest range of compatible modules (video intercom, card reader, camera). Busch-Jaeger's Axcent Pure and future® Linear are arguably more architecturally refined for minimalist interiors. Gira dominates in Austria; Busch-Jaeger is stronger in northern Germany and Scandinavia. Both are specified by interior architects — choice often comes down to the project's design aesthetic rather than functionality.
Can Busch-Jaeger KNX devices be used in a Home Assistant project?
Yes — any Busch-Jaeger KNX device works with Home Assistant's KNX integration. HA communicates with the KNX TP bus via a KNX IP interface/router (any brand — Weinzierl, MDT, Gira, or Busch-Jaeger's own). The HA KNX integration reads and writes group addresses — KNX pushbutton telegram → HA trigger → Sonos/Nuki/HVAC action. Busch-Jaeger free@home also has a native Home Assistant integration via the free@home REST API.
Need a panel with Busch-Jaeger components?
We select, procure, assemble and certify. Free initial consultation.
Request consultation →