"My wall plate unit won't work"
A light globe may have blown. Wall plate units need a functioning light or other suitable appliance connected to the first output channel for the unit to work. ( The first output channel is connected to the first button pair )
"Why don't my wireless units power up?"
All wireless key units require a minimum load of 25W to power up.
If you are using a 2 Channel relay, it requires both channels to have a load present, dimmers will only require a load in the primary channel.
"My switch wall plate unit makes a clicking sound every 3 seconds or so."
A light globe may have blown ( as in above problem).
"My unit won't enter learn mode. When I hold the top two buttons down, one of the lights starts flashing."
The flashing button indicates it has been set as a scene button. Ensure you press the non-scene button first, when entering learn mode.
"My unit won't enter learn mode."
Learn mode capability may have been disabled by C-Bus Toolkit software.
"I can't group buttons on different units together."
The units must belong to the same network before you can group their buttons together. You can confirm that the units are networked together by entering learn mode on one unit ( press and hold the top two buttons for 10 seconds). All units in the same network enter learn mode simultaneously, and begin flashing. ( To exit learn mode, press and hold the top two buttons again for 1 second).
"When I switch something on, it switches off again after 5 seconds."
You may have accidentally set a button as a 5 second timer. This is a special mode used for testing purposes. It is activated while in learn mode by holding a button down for just 1 second. To fix this, enter learn mode from a local control button pair that the 5 second timer is linked to. Deselect and then reselect the 5 second timer button, then exit learn mode.
"All indicators on my unit flash unusually for 1 minute ( a quick flash about once per second)."
This is a special flash pattern indicating that there has been a transmission failure. You can press a button on the unit to stop it flashing immediately.
"All indicators on my unit continue to flash every 4 seconds."
This is a special flash pattern indicating that the unit is offline. The unit is most likely to be "just" in range of other wireless units, and has shut itself down to prevent it from causing network radio frequency (RF) traffic congestion. The unit will place itself back online after 1 hour.
"Sometimes I cannot control a light or other appliance from a grouped button on another unit."
C-Bus wireless uses an encryption system for added security. As a consequence of this, if a unit misses transmissions from other units ( due to RF interference or being out of range), the unit may lose its ability to control other units.
The solution is to operate a grouped button on any unit nearby. This will re-synchrise the unit that is not transmitting. Sometimes simply operating the local control buttons a few times on the unit whcich is not transmitting will be sufficient. Note that the local control buttons will always operate the local load, even if the encryption system has lost synchronisation.
If this is not possible because of marginal installation ( perhaps due to the building materials used), encryption can be turned off using the C-Bus Toolkit software.
"Why aren't my wireless units communicating with each other?"
The first thing to check is that the units have the same "House Code". All wireless units (except for the wireless remote 5888TXBA) require a "House Code" to be learnt before they can communicate with other wireless devices.
This "House Code" is learnt via "Learn Mode" and the process is explained in the C-Bus Wireless User's Guide, which comes packaged with every wireless device.
If this has already been done the next thing to check is installation. If the problem unit/s is a key unit and you have mounted it using a C-Clip plaster wall mounting bracket, make sure the bracket is orientated in the same direction as the antenna, if it is not this will greatly reduce the range
It is also possible that encryption is disabld on some of the units. though this should never normally happen. Encryption is there to secure the wireless network. Therefore if an un-encrypted message is seen it will be ignored. To enable encryption, perform a complete reset to factory defaults on the unit.
Why do we need trailing and leading edge dimmers?
Leading Edge dimmer unit is suitable for Inductive and Resistive load types. That means Iron Core transformers for low-voltage lighting or electric motors (Inductive) and Incandescent bulbs (Resistive) or similar.
A Trailing Edge dimmer unit is suitable for capacitive load types. That means Electronic Transformers for low-voltage lighting or similar.
The compatible load types for each are represented by graphics on the product label. The power ratings for the C-Bus Wireless Wall Plate products are identical in both cases.
Whilst the TE dimmer is capable of running incandescent loads it's not recommended. The issue of compatibility comes down to when the incandescent bulb fails, not normal operation. If it fails and momentarily goes short circuit as the filament collapses (often the case in upwards-facing incandescent bulbs) then there is a risk that the momentary short might damage one of the MOSFETs in the output stage of the TE dimmer.
The LE dimmer uses TRIACs, which are inherently more robust under these circumstances. As such, the TE unit is not recommended for use on incandescent loads. Whilst it may appear fine, you may be getting service calls when the bulbs fail. Evidence of damage will be that the user replaces the bulb but the light won'tturn off, flickering at approximately 50% brightness.
What are the basic hardware requirements for programming a wireless network using Toolkit?
To get Toolkit talking to a wireless network you will need to communicate through a wired C-Bus network first. You will need a PC interface (5500PC), a power supply (5500PS) and a wireless gateway (5800WCGA).
If you're planning on doing more than 1 of these jobs, you could just fit all of these devices to a small box and use it as a commissioning tool so that it's just a 1-off expense.
How do I create a wireless network in Toolkit?
-
Creating a wireless network is very similar to creating a wired network.
-
Learn a House code to the units via learn mode, including the gateway
-
Open Toolkit and create a project with a wired network
-
Scan the network, and ensure the Gateway has a unit address that is not 255.
-
Highlight the Gateway on the network view by left clicking on it. Then click the "Make Network" button to create a wireless network
-
Now highlight the newly created network and click "open network".
-
Scan the wireless network.
Why doesn’t the Gateway scan the whole network?
A few things to consider: is the gateway in a centralised location where it is in range of the entire network? Has the gateway learnt the “House Code” successfully?
If the wireless units are not yet programmed (apart from the “House Code”) and the network is powered down, and then re-powered, they will not immediately show up on the network scan. The reason for this is the units have no information to send therefore they will not establish the wireless network. Simply entering “Learn Mode” will send a signal throughout, and re-establish the network. Then exit “Learn Mode” and rescan.
How many wireless units can I have on a network?
It is recommended the network size is no more than 30 units. There is some margin above this but from an installation perspective it is not recommended to exceed this number.
What effect do different building materials have on the range of C-Bus Wireless?
Many different building materials affect Radio Frequency (RF) transmissions.
How much a transmission is affected depends on the material. Glass, and Plasterboard (Gyprock) will not have much affect on RF communications. Brick and stone have a quite large effect. Steel reinforced concrete and sheet metal will have a major affect on communications. |