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Installing the wireless battery-powered switch, onefold, 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:

  1. The materials used in the building or room,
  2. The indoor position of the wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch,
  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

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 onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch (552-72011) 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 onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch.

The dimensions of a flush-mounting box (pattress) for a onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch are listed in the table below:

Ref.DescriptionValue
ADepthmin. 40 mm
BDistance for screw fixing60 mm
CInner diameter/width of a round or square box± 60 mm
DMultifold flush-mounting box centre distance horizontal71 mm
EMultifold flush-mounting box centre distance vertical71 mm use article number 552-72011 + 552-72010 or 552-72030 
FMultifold flush-mounting box centre distance vertical60 mm for BE and FR use article number 552-72011 + 552-72000 or 552-72020
  • It is not possible to install the onefold 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 onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch

The onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch can be installed against a flat wall or on a flush-mounting box.

To install the onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch, proceed as follows:

StepAction

Slide the CR2450 coin cell battery into the rear side opening of the switch.

Hinge the central plate in the correct position.

  • Install the switch at a recommended height of 105-120 cm above the final floor level.
  • Use double-sided adhesive tape (included) or screws (excluded) to mount the base against a flat wall. Mind the UP arrow, which should be pointed upwards. Only use flat screw heads and apply hand force on the screwdriver when tightening the screws.
  • Use a metal base when installing the switch on a flush-mounting box. Depending on the selected mechanical variant, secure the base with screws or clamps,

Fit the onefold wireless battery-powered Zigbee® switch into the base by inserting the bottom part first, then the top.


  • Attach the faceplate in the desired design and colour.
  • Note that the recess should be pointing to the bottom.

Press the faceplate evenly until a click is heard.
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