Conditions and virtual outputs

This step-by-step plan provides further explanation regarding the use of conditions and virtual outputs in an installation. Here, we programme an installation so that the connected socket outlet from the television is automatically activated when the dimmable lamp in the living room goes on.

The starting point for this plan is a project which already encompasses Project information, which involves a signed or uploaded plan and where several inputs, outputs and actions have already been added.

Run through the steps in Adding a new project and then Drawing a plan or Upload a background image if there is no existing project.

Go to Creation in the menu at the top of the screen.

Click on add an action.

The action will appear as a text balloon on the plan.

Drag the icon to a logical and appropriate place on the plan.

Give the action a clear name, e.g. "Dimmable lamp living room active".

Choose a location from the list of options or add a location if the location has not been previously defined.

Click on continue.

Go to the players tab.

Click on add a virtual output.

The virtual output appears as a flag on the plan of the home.

Drag the icon to a logical and appropriate place on the plan.

Give the virtual output a clear name, e.g. "Dimmable lamp living room active".

Choose a location from the list of options or add a location if the location has not been previously defined.

Click on OK.

Go back to the players tab.

Click on virtual output to add this to the action as a player.

The output is linked to the action.

Click on continue.

Go to the basic behaviour tab.

The standard basic behaviour for this example is correct.

The virtual output must emit a positive signal when the dimmable lamp in the living room is on; the signal must be negative when this lamp is off.

Click on continue.

Go to the conditions tab.

Click on add a condition.

Click on no (automation).

Click on the dimmable lamp to add it as a condition player to the installation.

The dimmable lamp will be linked to the action on the plan via a black line.

Set the desired settings for the condition player and the effect on the other player(s).

In this example, we would like the virtual output to emit a positive signal when the dimmable light is on. This means that a positive signal must be given for 10%, 20% and so on. According to the basic settings in the above screen, however, the signal will only be emitted when the lamp is on at 100%. Select in order to modify in the second column: ≥ instead of =. Then choose 10 instead of 100 in the third column. The virtual output will give a positive signal when the dimmable lamp is on at 10% or more.

Click on continue.

Go to the time automation tab.

Click on save.

You return to the Creation tab.

Click on add an action.

The action will appear as a text balloon on the plan.

Drag the icon to a logical and appropriate place on the plan.

Give the action a clear name, e.g. "Socket outlet television”.

Choose a location from the list of options or add a location if the location has not been previously defined.

Click on continue.

Go to the players tab.

Click on socket outlet to add it to the action as a player.

The output is linked to the action on the plan.

Click on continue.

Go to the basic behaviour tab.

The standard basic behaviour for this example is correct.

Click on continue.

Go to the conditions tab.

Click on add a condition.

Give the condition a clear name, e.g. "Dimmable lamp living room active".

In this example, we would like the socket outlet to be activated when the dimmable lamp is active. The virtual output that we have created will emit a positive signal when the lamp is on. We will use this virtual output as a condition player for this action.

Click on no (automation).

Click on virtual output to link this to the action as a condition player.

The virtual output will be linked to the action on the plan via a black line.

Click on continue.

Go to the time automation tab.

Click on save.

You return to the Creation start screen.

Now continue with Cabinet set-up and Realisation.