• How does work?

sensors and actuators use the 230V powerline as a communication bus. The components can communicate over all 3 phases without any phase couplers or other central units. Any sensor can control any actuator within a building independent of the actual electrical wiring. This combines the flexibility of wireless system with the reliability of a wired system.

  • What is the range of the components?

The range is typically 300m cable length between the sensor and actuator independent of the ac-tual phase. The components do not require additional phase couplers or frequency filters. A three-phase current cable (typically connecting the electricity meter and power distributor or the connection to the cooking range) is sufficient for the phase coupling. In cases where the sensor and actuator are on the same phase then the range extends up to approx. 2 km.

  • Why does work without phase couplers?

components communicate via the powerline and this communication works over all 3 phases without the use of additional phase couplers. A three-phase current cable (typically connecting the electricity meter and power distributor or the connection to the cooking range) is sufficient for the phase coupling.

  • Why does not require frequency filters?

During installation the components generate a domain (or building) address via a paten-ted process. As a result neighboring buildings are logically separated from each other preventing any interference.

  • How many nodes can you install in a single building?

Up to 200 nodes can be installed in a single building. In case the no. of nodes is greater than 200, a slight delay may be observed during execution of switching commands.

  • Is compatible with other bus systems?

uses the LON Standard and is compatible with other LonWorks based systems. Echelon's LonWorks is a ISO/IEC- and ANSI-compliant platform that enables some of the world's most advanced control and energy management applications. Normally LonWorks is used for commercial buildings and for big projects e.g. Munich Airport, the Reichstag in Berlin, the new trade fair center in Stuttgart. etc. is the first system that offers LonWorks based products for residential buildings.

Troubleshooting

  • An actuator does not respond to commands from the sensor.

In most cases the addresses (rotary switches) are not identical.

Solution:
The addresses can be changed / corrected via the rotary switches. No reset is necessary !

  • A sensor with a 230V input does not switch reliably.

The sensor has an high input resistance connected to the 230V input "1". For cable lengths > 10m between the switch and the input, it may occur that the voltage at the connecting wire is not completely reduced to ground-- this results in the sensor not responding correctly.

Solution:
A load module connected to the sensor between the connecting wire (Input "1") and ground reduces the voltage at the input so that the sensor can function correctly.

  • The motors attached to the motor-actuators do not run smoothly.

The sensors used for motor control have low-voltage inputs and they can only be connected to potential-free switching elements. Outputs (e.g. timers) that are not potential-free have to be made potential-free (e.g. by using a interposing relay). If the 230V output is directly connected to the sensor inputs, the sensor will see a zero-crossing every 10 msec. and will try to start and stop the motor with the mains frequency.

Solution:
Connect the sensor inputs to potential-free switching elements.

  • The actuator and the sensor do not communicate with each other even though they have identical addresses.

The modules generate a domain / area address during the installation process (see section on "Installation" in the user manual) Different domain addresses logically separate neighboring buildings / areas from one another. If the modules are configured in a sequence and not all together, different domain addresses are generated and the modules do not communicate with each other.

Solution:
Reset all modules by using the RESET button and then configure all modules in a single installation process (see section on "Installation" in the user manual).