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Frequently asked questions |
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We frequently receive questions regarding the wireless switch system. All these questions and the answers can be found below. If you can not find your question, then please email us on electrical@tec.ie. Your question will be answered by email as soon as possible and may be included in the list of frequently asked questions.
You will find
the frequently asked questions below,
divided per subject:
General Questions
Technical Questions
Programming Questions
Application Questions
General Questions
| Is the wireless switch system an own F&G design?
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Yes, the wireless switch system is developed by F&G themselves.
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| Where can I purchase the wireless switch system?
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The wireless switch system is distributed only through the electrotechnical wholesale trade. Click here to find an electrotechnical wholesaler distributing the wireless switch system near you.
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| Is the wireless switch system also available in DIY shops?
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No, the wireless switch system is only available in electrotechnical wholesale companies. Click here to find an electrotechnical wholesaler distributing the wireless switch system near you.
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Technical Questions
| What is a sensor and what is an actuator?
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A sensor is a component that sends a (switch)command that needs to be followed, e.g. a wireless wall switch, remote control, etc. Actuators are all wireless switch components
that carry out these commands, such as switching on or dimming the lights, lift shutters, etc.
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| What is the signal coverage of the wireless switch system?
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The wireless switch transmitters have a standard coverage of 30 – 50 metres indoors and 100 – 150 metres free range outdoors. The indoors coverage is highly dependent on the type of material and thickness of walls and ceiling. If the distance between transmitter and receiver is too long, comfort mode offers a routing function which can be enabled to increase signal coverage.
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| Is the wireless switch system prone to faults?
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No, using the especially for wireless switch technology designated 868,3 MHz frequency band guarantees a reliable signal transfer. F&G is fully compliant with the strict EU-norms. The 868 MHz frequency band may only be used for applications in building automation, without exception. Continuous transmitters for voice transmission such as wireless phones, walkie talkies or wireless headphones are not allowed within this frequency band. Faults caused by these appliances are therefore ruled out and the wireless switch system is extremely reliable and unsusceptible to faults.
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| How much energy does an actuator use?
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The
own energy consumption is
approximately 0.3 W per actuator. In case of
a dimming actuator it is approximately
0.4 W.
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| What is the battery lifespan in the wireless wall switch?
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The life span of the wall switch battery is approximately 10 years, depending on the application and the battery type.
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| What is a routing function?
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This is a patented F&G development which is automatically switched on when the signal distance between a transmitter and a receiver is too long. The routing function makes sure that a switch signal from a transmitter is automatically picked up and forwarded by a receiver that is located closer by, until it arrives at the designated receiver for the switch signal. All transmitters/receivers with 230VAC nominal power have this routing function built in as standard. The routing function
is only available if the system is programmed and set up in comfort mode.
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| What can I do if the signal coverage is still too limited? |
| If the system has been programmed and set up in basic mode, changing to comfort mode will enable
the routing function which increases the signal coverage. This patented routing function makes sure that a switch signal from a transmitter is automatically picked up by an actuator located closer by and forwarded, until it reaches the actuator for which the switch signal is intended. All actuators/sensors with 230VAC nominal power source come with the routing function built in as standard. If the system has already been set up and is being used in comfort mode, then one or more additional actuators will have to be located in between the transmitting switch and the receiving actuator. These additional actuators will take care of the routing, to make sure the signal will
arrive at the designated actuator.
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| Are
the settings of
a sensor and/or actuator
lost in case
of a power cut or if
the battery is empty? |
| No,
all settings are
kept in actuator and/or
sensor if a power cut occurs
or if the battery
is empty.
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| What
happens with the settings
of the actuators in case of a
temporary loss of
power. |
| This
is dependent on the
the way in which the system
is set up:
BASIC
Mode: When power is resumed
the actuators reset to
their original setting at the time of the
power cut.
The blinds actuator switches to
its STOP setting.
COMFORT Mode: In the software
3 different settings
can be chosen
for the actuators:
- Actuator ON,
- Actuator OFF,
- Reset to original setting at time
of power cut.
The blinds actuator always
returns to its STOP
setting.
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| How strong
is the radiation emission
of the various
components? |
| The
power of transmission
is approximately 1
mW (milliwatt) which is
about 1/200 of
the maximum power of
a GSM mobile phone. This
power is only
radiated at
signal transmission.
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Programming Questions
| Are any special tools needed for programming and/or set up?
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No, the only thing needed for programming and set up of the wireless system is a screw driver (Basic mode). If the system is being programmed and set up in Comfort mode a PC and the RS-232 interface are needed.
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| What are the programming options in Basic mode?
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• Appliances on/off (also in groups),
• Lighting on/off (also in groups),
• Lighting high/low dimming (also in groups),
• Blinds up or down, incl. control of vertical blinds (also in groups),
• All options also controllable with remote control.
• Create switchgroups with a maximum of 15 components, without need of additional wiring.
• All lighting switched on at once (security function)
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| What are the programming options in Comfort mode?
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• Appliances on/off (also in groups),
• Lighting on/off (also in groups),
• Lighting high/low dimming (also in groups),
• Blinds up or down, incl. control of vertical blinds (also in groups),
• All options also controllable with remote control.
• Create switchgroups with a maximum of 15 components, without the need of additional wiring.
• All lighting switched on at once (security function),
• Programming and set up of the system after all actuators have already been installed/built in
• Program a password to prevent unwanted switching by others,
• Enabling routing function,
• Using time delays,
• Create dimming limits for lighting,
• Creating light scenes,
• Flicker function,
• Change switch function of (wall)switches,
• Program additional safety functions for control of window blinds, shades and shutters.
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| How
long does it take to set up the wireless
switch system
in Comfort mode? |
| This
depends on the
size of the installed system
and the components
used. The set up
of an actuator takes
approximately 10 seconds, set up
of a pulse switch takes slightly
less time and set up of the
Room- and Home-Manager takes
approximately 30 seconds.
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| Do I have to reprogram
the entire system if I add
extra components to
the wireless system? |
No,
an extension of the
installation in
Basic- and Comfortmode
is possible at
all times. In
Comfortmode the
system does have
to be
recalculated.
The new
and existing
components
with which you want to control
the new components
will have to be newly set
up. After drawing
the connecting lines
you go to menu and choose
"Edit"
then choose "Recalculate
all
connections". After this
you load the changes
into the wireless
switch system.
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| What
can I do if I have
forgotten the security password
of the
system? |
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Without
password it is not
possible to change the settings
of sensors and
actuators
and/or to control the actuators with
the software. The
only possibility to
regain access to the sensors
and actuators through the software
is to perform a
software reset.
For resetting the
sensors you can use
the software in
combination with
(manual)control of
de sensors. The actuators
can only be reset
manually in the
Basic Mode.
After a reset the
complete system
will, of course, have to be
reconfigured. |
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Application Questions
| Would
my neighbours be able to
switch into my wireless
switch system? |
| This
depends on the way in
which the system is set up:
Basic
Mode: If one of your
actuators is in
programming mode
and the neighbours are controlling
a sensor, it is
possible that this sensor is
being read in the
actuator. If your actuator is
not in
programming mode,
then it is impossible for
the neighbours to
switch this actuator.
Comfort
Mode: In comfort
mode it is possible to
secure every system
with a
password. Would the
neighbours want to
set up or configure
their own system, then
they will not be able to do
anything with your system, since this
is secured with your
password. Without this
password an actuator can not be
changed or
removed.
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| For
which installation is the
wireless switch system
most suited? |
| The
wireless switch system
is perfectly suitable for
domestic and small utility
projects. You would have
to think about systems
with a maximum of 150 to 200
components. With a
larger number of components
the
complexity of
the installation in the
graphical software increases
considerably.
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| Where
can the wireless
switch system not
be used? |
In
applications:
- where all components
are installed inside metal
housings
and
where installation outside of these
metal housings is NOT
possible,
.- where the distance
between the actuators is too long
and where there is no possibility
to place an actuator as router
in between,
- where time critical,
safety critical and
life threatening
circumstances are present.
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| What
are the important points of attention
if i want to install
the wireless switch system
indoors? |
These
are the important points for
indoors installation
of your wireless
switch
system:
- Always take notice of the
architectural construction
of the building,
e.g.:
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Material of walls and
ceiling,
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Thickness of walls and
ceiling
Thick
walls/ceilings and
concrete walls with large amounts
of steel
reinforcing
will strongly
reduce the RF-signal.
- Transmitting through sheeted steel
walls is not
possible,
- Make sure that in
(larger) spaces the
actuators are being installed as evenly
spaced
as possible to ensure
optimum performance
of the routing
function.
- If actuators are being
installed inside a housing,
only use a
plastic
housing
for this purpose,
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| What are the
special points of attention if I want to install
the wireless
switch system
outdoors? |
These
are the special
points of attention
if you want to install the
wireless switch system
outdoors:
- Outdoors always install
actuators inside a
plastic housing,
- Make sure that the
distance between switch and
receiver is not too
long,
- Install actuators as
high above the ground as
possible, installation too close to
the ground
can cause a
significantly
reduced signal
coverage,
- Make sure that actuators
that are installed close to
the ground
can not
be covered by
a (thick) layer
of snow,
- Weather influences such as
rain, hail, snow,
fog, etc. all have
a
negative
influence on the coverage of
the sensors and actuators.
- The working temperature range
of the battery powered
components is +5 - 45°C
and
of
220V net powered components
-5 - 45°C. If the
temperature fluctuates below or above
these limits
the component function may be significantly
influenced.
- To ensure optimum
performance of the routing
function the actuators will have to
be installed
as evenly spread
in the available space
as possible.
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Can
I also control the central
extraction in a house
with the wireless system? |
Yes,
by using the
de blinds actuator (CJAU-01/02)
it is easy to
control the central extraction
in a house. Not
only from the kitchen
but also from the toilet
and/or the bathroom. This
control can be performed with
the wireless
wall switches that
can be easily
installed anywhere.
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Can
I also
apply presence
simulation? |
Yes,
this is possible. With
the use of the Room
Manager (CRMA-00/01)
presence simulation can
easily be
set up.
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I am now using switchgear from a certain brand. Can I continue to use this if I switch to the F&G wireless switch system?
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Yes, by using the binary entry (CBEU-02/02), switchgear from every possible brand can be used in combination with the F&G wireless switch system. The battery powered binary entry is mounted behind the conventional switch inside its housing. The switch housing should have a minimum depth of 50 mm.
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| Can I extend the wireless system at a later stage?
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Yes, the wireless switch system can easily be extended and is therefore ideal to grow with the family and its home. The system can be adjusted to the changing needs of a family at any time.
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| Can the wireless switch system be used in existing (renovation) houses?
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Yes, the wireless switch system is extremely suitable for applications in existing houses or houses that are being renovated. Wireless wall switches can be installed anywhere (using either adhesive or screws) without the need for drilling/breaking or complicated rewiring. Installation is extremely clean and tidy.
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| Can I control window blinds or shutters with the wireless system?
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Yes, with the blinds actuator (CJAU-01/02) window shades, shutters or blinds can easily be controlled. For the control you use a wireless wall switch or the remote control.
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| Can
I also control more than one
shutter or window blind with one
blinds actuator? |
| No,
parallel control of
multiple motors is not
possible. Per
single blinds actuator only
one motor can be controlled.
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| I would like to dim my lights. Is this possible and if so, how do I do this?
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Yes, dimming lights is possible and can be done in different ways:
• By building in dimming actuator (CDAU-01/01), which can be easily built in inside a wall mounted housing.
• By using the connector socket dimming actuator (CDAP-01/01), which is simply plugged in an existing wall socket.
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| Is it possible to switch appliances, indoors and outdoors?
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Yes, it is easy to switch appliances with a switch actuator, this can be done in the following manner:
• Indoors by building in switch actuator CSAU-01/01, which can easily be built in inside a wall mounted housing,
• Indoors by using connector plug switch actuator (CSAP-01/01), which is installed inside an existing wall socket,
• Outdoors by using the built-in switch actuator CSAU-01/01 or switch actuator CSAU-01/03, the latter switches 2-way and can be easily built in inside a plastic cable housing or plastic casing.
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| How many
different
sensors can
be designated to one single
actuator? |
| A
maximum of 15
different
sensors can be designated
to 1 actuator.
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| How many
different actuators can
one sensor control? |
| In
theory an endless amount. There
is no maximum number
of actuators that can be controlled
by any one
sensor.
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| How many
electronic
pre switch appliances
(EPA) can I connect
to an analogue
actuator? |
Both
analogue
actuators (0-10V,
1-10V) have a capacity
of max. 20 mA.
The number of EPA's
that can be
connected depends
therefore on the
power of these
EPA's. Refer
to the
technical
specifications of
the EPA.
The
EN60929 norm
prescribes however
that a
dimmable EPA may
only provide max. 2
mA as a power source.
In this case
therefore max. 10
EPA's may
be controlled by an
analogue actuator.
Of course
this number
increases in case the
power
decreases. |
| To
increase signal
coverage I have to
install an actuator as router
in between 2
actuators. How can
I test which is the best spot
for installation? |
| You
use a 2-way
battery powered
pulse switch and designate
an actuator to each switch
flag. Then
you search for a position
from which
you can control
both actuators with
the pulse switch
and in this way
you have found a suitable
position for the
router actuator.
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