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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:

  1. The materials used in the building or room,
  2. The indoor position of the connected dimmer,  Zigbee®, and
  3. 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 useConnected 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:

Switch off the mains.

StepAction

  • Insert only 1 electrical wire (1.5 – 2.5 mm2) per terminal
  • Apply a wire stripping length of 8 - 10 mm

  • Mount the connected dimmer, Zigbee® in a wall-mounting box with a minimum depth of 40 mm (cabling space included) and a screw distance of 60 mm. The wall-mounting box is to be installed at a recommended height of 110-120 cm above the final floor level
  • Use clamp or screw fixation based on the variant that you ordered

Attach the central plate in the desired colour

  • Mount the faceplate in the desired design and colour
  • Note that the recess should be positioned at the bottom

Press the faceplate evenly until a click is heard

Claws can be removed with a screwdriver without removing the screws.

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