Installing the wireless battery-powered switch, fourfold, Zigbee®
Signal range
The point-to-point indoor range is ± 10 m. In open spaces, the RF range could reach 30 m.
Battery-powered or energy-harvesting Zigbee® devices do not function as repeating nodes in a Zigbee® network. They only act as receiver nodes and cannot be used to extend the network. Only Zigbee® devices that are 230 V powered can extend the RF range via their meshing capability.
For more information see Zigbee® network principle.
The maximum point-to-point RF range of the connected switch to a Zigbee® receiver depends on:
- The materials used in the building or room,
- The indoor position of the wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch,
- 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
Plan the physical installation so that one Zigbee® device is within the RF range of another Zigbee® device. Start from the location of the master node (the wireless smart hub or wireless bridge) and place the nearest Zigbee® device at max. 10 m.
- Battery-powered or energy-harvesting Zigbee® devices do not operate as repeating nodes in a Zigbee® They only act as receiver nodes and can thus not be used to extend the network. Only 230 V powered Zigbee devices can function as Zigbee® repeating nodes and support the meshing capability to extend the RF range.
- Bear in mind the impact of materials on the RF range.
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 105 - 120 cm above the final floor level),
- 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 switch 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 wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch. Should this occur, identify the interfering source and remove it. If removal is not possible, consider relocating the switch or adding a Zigbee® repeating node (e.g. connected switching socket outlet, Zigbee® (170-3xx05) or another 230 V powered Niko Zigbee® device).
Installation of the flush-mounting box
Installation on a flush-mounting box is possible if the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch (552-72014) is used with a metal base (552-720X0). The metal base contains a plastic cover to protect a person from touching live electric wires, should they be present inside the flush-mounting box. Make sure to install the flush-mounting box before mounting the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch.
The dimensions of a flush-mounting box (pattress) for a fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch are listed in the table below:
Ref. | Description | Value |
---|---|---|
A | Depth | min. 40 mm |
B | Distance for screw fixing | 60 mm |
C | Inner diameter/width of a round or square box | ± 60 mm |
D | Multifold flush-mounting box centre distance horizontal | 71 mm |
E | Multifold flush-mounting box centre distance vertical | 71 mm use article number 552-72014 + 552-72010 or 552-72030 |
F | Multifold flush-mounting box centre distance vertical | 60 mm for BE and FR use article number 552-72014 + 552-72000 or 552-72020 |
- It is not possible to install the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch in a Niko splashproof (Hydro range) mounting box
- The recommended mounting height is 105 – 120 cm, measured from the final floor level
Installation of the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch
The fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch can be installed against a flat wall or on a flush-mounting box.
To install the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch, proceed as follows:
Step | Action |
---|---|
Slide the CR2450 coin cell battery into the rear side opening of the switch. | |
Hinge the two central plates in the correct position. | |
| |
Fit the fourfold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch into the base by inserting the bottom part first, then the top. | |
| |
Press the faceplate evenly until a click is heard. |