C-Bus Training Course

Basic Programming

Course Code: BCB005

Revision Number: V1.3
© Copyright Clipsal Integrated Systems Pty Ltd 2006. All rights Reserved. Clipsal Integrated Systems is a division of
Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd ABN 27 007 873 529. This material is copyright under Australian and international laws.
Except as permitted under the relevant law, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process without prior
written permission of and acknowledgement to Clipsal Integrated Systems Pty Ltd.

Clipsal and C-Bus are registered trademarks of Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd.

The information in this manual is provided in good faith. Whilst Clipsal Integrated Systems (CIS) has endeavoured to
ensure the relevance and accuracy of the information, it assumes no responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of
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information at any time without notice.

V1.2 Feb 2006

 Contents

Scope 4
Learning Outcomes 4

1.0 Voltage Free Relay 5

2.0 C-Bus Wall Switch 6

2.1 Functions 7

3.0 C-Bus Light Level Sensor 9

3.1 Groups 9
3.2 Ambient Light 9
3.3 Target 10

4.0 C-Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor 11

4.1 Adjusting the Light Sensor 11
4.2 Day Time Movement Detection 12
4.3 Night Time Movement Detection 12
4.4 Sunset to Sunrise 12
4.5 Security Features 12
4.6 Functions Tab 13
 Basic Programming

Scope

This manual aims to provide an installer with the basic skills needed to program and use
C‐Bus. A fundamental technical background is required.

The manual includes basic programming information for C‐Bus:

• voltage free relays (a common output unit)
• wall switches
• PE cell light level sensors
• PIR occupancy sensors.

It is an ideal preparation before attending the C‐Bus Basic Training Course.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should have an understanding of the basic programming options
for a:
• C‐Bus L5512 RVF 12 Channel Voltage Free Relay
• Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch
• C‐Bus Light Level Sensor
• C‐Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor.

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 Basic Programming

1.0 Voltage Free Relay

This section explains the basic programming of the C‐Bus L5512RVF 12 Channel Voltage Free
Relay. C‐Bus output units contain many common elements. These include:
• Channel Assignment
• Advanced tab

Figure 1 shows the panel displayed when editing the L5512RVF. Group Addresses are allocated
for each channel on the relay. An existing Group is selected from the drop‐down menu.

Figure 1 – Editing a Twelve Channel Voltage Free Relay unit

Clicking the icon to the right of the drop‐

down menu brings up the Group Add panel
displayed in Figure 2. This allows a new
Group Address to be added.

Clicking the symbol brings up the Group Figure 2 – Adding a new Group Address
Edit panel displayed in Figure 3. This allows
the Tag of the currently selected Group
Address to be changed.

Figure 3 – Changing the Tag name of a Group

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2.0 C-Bus Wall Switch

This section explains the basic programming of a 2000 Series Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch. C‐Bus
input units contain many common elements. These include:
• Key Assignment
• Functions
• Advanced tab.

Figure 4 shows the panel displayed when editing a C‐Bus wall switch. Group Addresses are
allocated for each input (where there are multiple inputs). An existing Group is selected from
the drop‐down menu.

Figure 4 – Editing a 2000 Series Standard C-Bus Wall Switch

As when programming an output unit, clicking the icon to the right of the drop‐down menu,
brings up the Group Add panel displayed in Figure 2. This allows a new Group Address to be
added.

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2.1 Functions
Each input has a Function drop‐down menu, through which a key function is assigned.
Available functions vary depending on the type of input unit and Application Address. Table 1
provides a list of these functions together with their action. An assigned function is triggered
when an input is activated. Most inputs are activated by pressing a button, but certain input
units are triggered by other events, such as a change in lighting level or infrared radiation.

Function Action

On Set on

Off Set off

On/Off Alternate between set on and off

Dimmer Dim up or down, according to the dimmer function mode, which is set by clicking the
properties button. There are two dimmer modes, Toggle and Memory.

Toggle:
A quick button press alternates between set on and off. The dimmer switch does not
remember a specific brightness level. A long button press alternately dims up and
down.

Memory:
A quick button press alternates between a set to the previous dim level, and set off.
A long button press alternately dims up and down.

On Up A quick button press alternates between set to the previous dim level and set off. A
long button press dims up.

Off Down A quick button press alternates between set to the previous dim level and set off. A
long button press dims down.

Timer Initiate a count down timer, according to the timer function mode, which is set by
clicking the properties button. A set off command is issued when the timer
expires. There are two timer modes, Toggle and Retrigger.

Toggle:
A button press alternates between set on and set off. A button release starts the
timer.

Retrigger:
A quick button press issues a set on command and starts (or restarts) the timer. A
long button press issues a set off command.

Bell Press Set on until a button is released, then set off.

Dimmer Up Dim up.

Dimmer Down Dim down.

Soft Up A quick button press issues a ramp to preset level command (Recall 1). A long button
press dims up.

Soft Down A quick button press issues a ramp off command. A long button press dims down.

Preset 1 A quick button press issues a set to preset level command (Recall 1). A long button
press ramps off.

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Function Action

Preset 2 A quick button press issues a set to preset level command (Recall 2). A long button
press ramps off.

Trigger 1 A quick (short) release triggers a Control Group Action Selector (stored in Recall 1),
which is set by clicking the properties button. This can be used to remotely
trigger a scene in another C-Bus unit. The Trigger 1 and Trigger 2 functions are only
selectable when the Application Address type is set to Trigger Control.

Trigger 2 As per Trigger 1, but uses Recall 2 to store the Control Group Action Selector.

Unused No action.

<Scene> Execute a Scene (this is covered in the Advanced Programming module). A Scene is
selectable on particular input unit types only, such as the Neo.

<Custom> Execute a customised function, using the parameters defined in the Button (Key)
Functions and Blocks tabs (covered in the Advanced Programming module).

Table 1 – Functions which can be assigned to an input

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3.0 C-Bus Light Level Sensor

The C‐Bus Light Level Sensor is a device used to measure ambient light, and transmit messages
over the C‐Bus network in response to changing levels. It is designed to operate within the range
of 40 to 1600 lux.
The sensor is capable of controlling the level of a group from 0 to 100%, or switching it on or off
when a light level threshold is crossed. The sensor can be enabled or disabled from a Group
Address.

Figure 5 – Editing a PE Light Level Sensor unit

3.1 Groups
Three group control options are available for the C‐Bus Light Level Sensor. Figure 5 shows these
options which appear in the Groups section when editing the unit with the C‐Bus Toolkit
software. The Indicator radio button lets you select which action controls the LED indicator on
the sensor.
Available options are:
• Light Level — a group typically associated with a dimmer or analogue output module.
The level is ramped up when the ambient lighting level falls below the defined Target
Lux threshold.
• Light On/Off — a group typically associated with a relay output module. The group is
switched on when the ambient lighting level falls below the defined Target Lux
threshold.
• Enable Group — a group typically associated with an input unit. When this option is
used, the PE Light Level Sensor will only issue C‐Bus commands when the group is
switched on.

3.2 Ambient light

This is used when connected to a live network. When the Refresh option is checked, the
approximate lighting level as read by the sensor is displayed.

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3.3 Target
There are two values which determine the level at which the sensor responds to a change in
ambient lighting levels:
• Target Lux — the threshold lux level below which any “Light Level” or “Light On/Off”
group is activated. When used with dimmers you can think of this as the level of lighting
that you would like to maintain.
• Margin — the level of variation from the Target Lux level at which the threshold
operates. This can be used to prevent constant switching of relay levels when the ambient
light level varies regularly (perhaps due to passing clouds). It means that a “Light
On/Off” group can be set to turn on at a level below the Target Lux, and turn off at a
level above the Target Lux.

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4.0 C-Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor

Currently there are three types of C‐Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor; two indoor models and an
outdoor model. Each has the following features:
• passive infrared movement detection
• threshold adjustment on the physical unit
• timer expiry actions, software adjustable from 0 to over 18 hours
• separate day‐time and night‐time movement facilities
• a sunset switch facility
• a security pulse facility.

Figure 6 – Editing a PIR Occupancy Sensor

4.1 Adjusting the Light Level Sensor

The light level sensor must be adjusted to ensure it triggers the programmed load at the correct
light level, as described in Table 2.

1. Rotate clockwise to avoid activation of load

when natural light is adequate.

- +

2. To activate the load at dusk, set adjustment

to this area.

- +

3. To activate the load at night, set adjustment

to this area.

- +

4. To have the load activated day and night,

set in this position.

- +

Table 2 – Adjusting a light level sensor

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4.2 Day Time Movement Detection

This activates a group whenever the ambient lighting level is above the threshold set on the light
level sensor, and movement is detected. The selectable group is located next to the PIR Day
Move function. A timer can be used to perform an action (such as switch a group off) a definable
period of time after movement is detected. Timer options can be seen in Figure 7. They are
accessed via the properties button.

Figure 7 – Timer options

4.3 Night Time Movement Detection

This activates a group whenever the ambient lighting level is below the threshold set on the light
level sensor, and movement is detected. The selectable group is located next to the PIR Night
Move function. A timer can be used to perform an action (such as switch a group off) a definable
period of time after movement is detected. Timer options are accessed via the properties
button.

4.4 Sunset to Sunrise

The PIR sensors have a PIR Sunset function, which can switch lights on at sunset. The selected
group is switched off after a timer expires or sunrise, whichever occurs first. Timer options are
accessed via the properties button.

4.5 Security Features

PIR Sensors also have a security feature which sends a short pulse intended to drive a buzzer or
light to indicate movement at any time, irrespective of the light threshold.

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4.6 Functions Tab

The Functions tab (Figure 8) is accessible when the “Advanced >>” button is used to display the
advanced options. It allows the user to configure the C‐Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor in the same
way as a Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch.

Figure 8 – The Functions tab

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