Programming a time automation for a thermostat

Situation

This step-by-step plan explains how to program a time automation for a thermostat. In this example, we would like the heating to change to the highest setting every day at 6 pm.

Starting point

The starting point for this step-by-step plan is a project which already encompasses Project information, for which a plan was already drawn up or uploaded 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.

Step 1: Create an action 'Time automation'

• Go to Creation in the menu bar at the top.

• 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.

The thermostat has a predefined behaviour. We must therefore use a virtual output and a new action to add the time automation.

• Give the action a name.
• Choose the action's location from the list.

• Click on continue to go to the players tab. 

Step 2: Add a virtual output

• Click on add a virtual output.
• Drag the virtual output to a logical and appropriate place.
• Give the virtual output a name.
• Choose a location from the list.

• Click on OK to return to the players tab.

Step 3: Choose a player for the action 'Time automation'

• Click the icon of the virtual output to link it to the action as a player.

• Click on continue to go to the Basic behaviour tab.

Step 4: Define the basic behaviour of 'Time automation'

In this example, all we want is to automatically start the thermostat. It will be switched off manually. Therefore, we will work exclusively with start behaviour for this virtual input.

Remove the stop behaviour by pressing on the red cross behind the relevant line.

• Click on continue to go to the Conditions tab.
• Click on continue to go to the Time automation tab.

Step 5: Add a time to the action 'Time automation'

• Click on add a time.
• Modify the start moment to 6 pm.

• Click on save to return to the Creation start screen.

The virtual output will now become "active" every day at 6 pm.

Step 6: Add another action 'Time automation heating'

• Click on add an action. The action will appear as a text balloon on the plan.
• Drag the action to a logical and appropriate place.
• Give the action a name.
• Choose a location from the list.

• Click on continue to go to the players tab.

Step 7: Choose a player for the action 'Time automation heating'

• Click on the thermostat to link it to the action as a player. The thermostat will be enlarged in two sections.
• Click on thermostat output.

• Click on continue to go to the Basic behaviour tab.
• Remove the output's stop behaviour by pressing on the red cross behind the relevant line.
• Click on continue to go to the Conditions tab.

Step 8: Add a condition to 'Time automation heating'

• Click on add a condition.
• Give the condition a name.

• Click on no (automation). The action must start every evening at 6 pm.

Step 9: Add a virtual output to 'Time automation heating'

• Click on the virtual output to link it to the action as a condition player. The virtual output will be linked to the action on the plan via a black line.

Below advanced settings you will find a table with the effect the condition player has on the action.

Go through each column and click on the black button below to indicate what should happen in each case. You can choose between start, stop or slash (/). The option slash (/) indicates no action is required.

• Click on continue to go to the Time automation tab.
• Click on save to return to the Creation start screen.

Result

Now continue with Cabinet lay-out and Realisation.