Installing the connected dimmer, Zigbee®

Signal range

The point-to-point indoor range is ± 10 m. In open spaces, the RF range reaches 30 m. The meshing capability of 230 V powered Zigbee^®devices can extend the RF range.

For more information see Zigbee^® network principle.

The maximum point-to-point RF range of the connected dimmer to a Zigbee^®receiver depends on:

The materials used in the building or room,
The indoor position of the connected dimmer, Zigbee^®, and
Sources of interference.

Materials and obstructions

Radio waves can be attenuated by materials inside a building or room.


Wood, plaster, uncoated, without metal	Brick, concrete	Ferroconcrete, lightweight hollow walls filled with insulating wool on metal foil, metallic heating insulation sheets, metallic surfaces, glass with a metal coating, floor heating systems, metal faceplates	Confined metal space
Loss: 5-20%	Loss: 20-40%	Loss: 40-90%	Loss: 90-100%

A human body can obstruct the Zigbee^® radio path since its operating frequency band (2.4 GHz) resonates well with water particles. The Zigbee^® meshing capability will generally remain intact after a radio path distortion, but take caution when a lot of people, or an object containing large volumes of water (e.g. an aquarium), are located in a room.

Position

Avoid installing the Zigbee^®device:

In a narrow room with thick walls,
On the same wall as another Zigbee^®repeating or receiving node,
Close to the ground (the recommended mounting height is 110 cm),
On a metal or moist surface or in a damp environment, or
In so-called 'dead spots', caused by radio reflections from nearby conductive materials or obstacles such as, metal cupboards, doors with a metallic foil or items containing water (e.g. aquariums).

Sources of interference

A Zigbee^® connected dimmer is generally not disrupted by low-power electronic devices (e.g. DECT telephones, smartphones, WLAN routers, analogue radios, electronic ballasts, controllers, TVs, videos, computers, remote controls), and vice versa. Zigbee^® is a robust and reliable RF technology thanks to its meshing capability and ability to capture radio telegrams from noisy environments.
Mind that a high-power electronic device in a room may interfere with the radio telegrams of a connected dimmer. Should this occur, identify the interfering source and remove it. If removal is not possible, consider relocating the connected dimmer or add a Zigbee^® repeating node (e.g. connected switching socket outlet Zigbee® (170-3xx05) or another 230 V powered Niko Zigbee^® device).

Wiring scheme

Switch off the mains.

Manual use	Connected use

All mechanical push-button extensions wired to the same terminal, will show the same behaviour (either the standard behaviour of the actor or a programmed behaviour). It is not possible to configure the behaviour of these extension switches separately. The maximum total wire length for all extension buttons connected to the Zigbee^® dimmer is 50 m.
Also respect a minimum distance of 2 m between a Zigbee device (including the smart hub) and another RF transmitter (for example a Wi-Fi device) or devices such as motors, pumps, electronic LED transformers, solar panel inverters, home battery storage ...

Installation of the connected dimmer

Note that the installation of a flush-mounting box and the electrical wiring is required prior to installing the connected Zigbee^® device. For more information, check the Specifications on Connected dimmer, Zigbee®, 3 - 200 W, 2-wire.

To install the connected dimmer, proceed as follows: