C-Bus Wireless System
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The C-Bus Wireless product range incorporates a family of C-Bus Radio Frequency (RF) devices, including Wall Switches, Plug Adaptors, a hand held Remote Control and a Gateway to Cat-5 Wired C-Bus units.
C-Bus Wireless Wall Switches are designed to easily replace standard, 240V wall switches. They incorporate patented Clipsal technology and are two wire devices requiring no neutral connection (240V a.c. active and load connections only).
All C-Bus Wireless units incorporate Clipsal C-Bus’ unique Learn Mode functions for programming devices. Wall Switches, Plug Adaptors and the Gateway unit can also be programmed via the C-Bus Toolkit software. Multiple C-Bus Wireless units can be linked into a common network using Learn Mode or the C-Bus Toolkit software.
Associations can be created between buttons on multiple units, so that a button press on one unit will operate a button on another unit or units.
C-Bus Wireless units include scene capabilities, which allow the user to perform a series of actions across multiple outputs by pressing a single button. For example, on arrival home a home owner could use a scene to switch on lights in the hallway, kitchen and lounge, and also switch on a heater.
Grouping C-Bus Wireless Units via Learn Mode
The diagrams below show two of the many possible basic C-Bus Wireless unit installations. Room A uses stand-alone units, which can be switched via the Wireless hand held Remote Control. Room B uses networked units where buttons on one unit can operate other units or trigger scenes.
Room A
Stand Alone C-Bus Wireless Unit
Room B
Networked C-Bus Wireless Units
Basic Operation
Buttons on a Wireless Wall Switch or Plug Adaptor are organised in pairs that control the output channels. Remaining pairs (free buttons) are used to control outputs on other units when multiple C-Bus Wireless units are configured as part of a network. For example, the figure below shows a 6 button, 2 channel Saturn Wireless Dimmer unit. Its buttons perform the following functions:
- Buttons 1 and 2 control the first channel. (A quick press on either button toggles the channel on or off. A long press on button 1 or 2 dims down or up alternatively).
- Buttons 3 and 4 control the second channel.
- Buttons 5 and 6 are unused when the unit is used as a stand-alone unit. They may be used to control outputs on other units when part of a multi-unit network.
When a C-Bus Wireless Wall Switch or Plug Adaptor unit is first installed, it functions as a stand-alone unit. In this basic default mode, the unit functions as a dimmer or switch, depending on the model. C-Bus Wireless Plug Adaptors have one output channel (a single, 240V a.c. socket) and two buttons. Wall plate units are available in one or two output channel versions, with two, four, six or eight buttons (eight button, Neo only). Each channel controls one or more lights or other electrical devices connected to its output.
Two output channels
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C-Bus Wireless Networks
To experience the full capabilities of wireless operation, C-Bus Wireless units are linked together to form a network.
To communicate with each other, all units within the same network should be located within 15 to 20 metres of each other. This distance depends on building materials used.
Up to 30 units may be connected within the same C-Bus Wireless network.
C-Bus Wireless Network Security
C-Bus Wireless units can optionally use 128-bit encrypted messages to communicate with each other. This results in a highly secure network.
Nearby C-Bus Wireless Networks
It is possible to have several separate networks present alongside each other without interferance, as each separate C-Bus Wireless network has an automatically assigned, unique ‘House Code’.
C-Bus Wireless Modes of Operation
C-Bus Wireless units have five major modes of operation.
Mode 1
Stand-Alone Mode
In this mode, C-Bus Wireless Wall Switches and Plug Adaptors act as stand-alone dimmers or switches and make no use of the inbuilt wireless capabilities. No setup is required for this mode; Plug Adaptors simply plug into the mains, and Wireless Wall Switches are installed by a licensed electrician in place of existing wall switches. The buttons on the units control the local dimming or switching channels of the unit only.
Mode 2
Simple Remote Controlled Mode
In this mode, a C-Bus Wireless Wall Switch acts as a stand-alone dimmer or switch and a C-Bus Wireless Remote Control operates the Wall Switch from a distance. This mode is simple to set up and is suitable for small installations where networking is not needed. C-Bus Wireless Wall Switch or Plug Adaptor units are controlled using a C-Bus Wireless Remote: In this mode, the buttons on the Wireless Wall Switch control the local dimming or switching channels of the unit, and the Remote Control is linked to buttons on a Wall Switch using a Learn Mode operation. No PC is required to configure this mode.
Mode 3
Networked Mode
In this mode, a C-Bus Wireless Wall Switch acts as a dimmer or switch and multiple C-Bus Wireless units can be linked to each other with the C-Bus Wireless technology. This mode is simple to setup, and is suitable for more complex installations. In this mode, local control buttons control the dimming or switch channel of the unit, and may also control other C-Bus Wireless units. Free buttons can control the dimmer or switch channels of other units via a C-Bus Wireless network established using Learn Mode operations. The operation of buttons is set using Learn Mode operations or using the C-Bus Toolkit Software.
Mode 4
Networked with Remote
In this mode, a C-Bus Wireless Wall Switch acts as a dimmer or switch and multiple C-Bus Wireless units can be linked to each other with the C-Bus Wireless technology. Local control buttons control the dimming or switch channel of the unit, and may also control other C-Bus Wireless units. Free buttons can control the dimmer or switch channels of other units via a C-Bus Wireless network established using Learn Mode operations or C-Bus Toolkit software. Buttons on the Wireless Remote are linked to Wall Switch and Plug Adaptor buttons as desired.
Mode 5
Networked mode in combination with Cat-5 wired C-Bus units
The C-Bus Wireless Gateway is used to link a C-Bus Wireless network to a C-Bus Cat-5 wired network. It is functionally equivalent to a C-Bus Network Bridge. Using the Gateway, C-Bus Wireless and Cat-5 networks can communicate and interact with each other. Both Wireless and Cat-5 Networks use the same command structure, and are 100% compatible.
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