control 230V drives with pushbutton, time switch, radio, wind/rain monitor, ...
General notes
230V drives usually have one line with four wires: Blue (or gray) = neutral, brown = actuator retracts, black = actuator extends, green/yellow (not with protective insulated versions) = protective earth. Of course there are many variants, e.g. signal contacts, which signal the retracted or extended state, programming lines (which you please do not connect!) or other electrical special equipment.
For basic operation, however, only the four (three) wires mentioned are necessary. However, please make sure to read the enclosed documentation beforehand. The colors can also differ, valid is always the documentation enclosed with the actuator.
The connection diagrams you will find here do not take into account special equipment such as signal contacts, but show the basic connection of a 230V drive.
Blind pushbutton
The connection of a shutter pushbutton for actuation is the standard case. Here, the drive extends as long as the left rocker is actuated and retracts as long as the right rocker is actuated. Intermediate positions are possible by releasing the rocker at the desired opening width of the window.
Please note the difference between "pushbutton" and "switch":
In the case of pushbuttons, the rocker springs back to its initial position after being released; in the case of switches, it remains "toggled", i.e. it does not return to its initial position. This causes the actuator to move to the end position (fully open or fully closed). In principle, this does not harm the drives (except for the Micro S chain drive), because they switch off automatically in the end positions. However, unintended side effects can occur, for example, when the rain monitor is connected, the drive automatically opens again after the rain. Possibly the whole night or even during your absence.
Blind pushbutton with wind/rain monitor
Wind/rain monitors or "only" rain monitors always work in the same way in principle: they provide a changeover contact that switches over in the event of wind or rain and thus gives a clear signal. It must therefore be achieved that the drive retracts with the very highest priority in the event of wind or rain.
Usually wind/rain monitors are always used in combination with a blind pushbutton. So if the weather is fine, the window can be opened (or closed) manually and if it is raining or very windy, the drive closes automatically and cannot be opened even during bad weather.
Connection of conservatory control
We have described the connection of our winter garden control in this blog post.
Connection radio receiver
A radio receiver basically "simulates" a blinds button. It is supplied with 230V so that it basically works and also outputs this voltage at one of the outputs (retract or extend). And it is precisely this behavior that causes difficulties in connection with the connection of a wind/rain monitor. Most radio receivers do not have potential-free outputs for connecting the drive.
In order to be able to connect a wind/rain monitor, however, the two outputs must be potential-free so that the monitor can close the drive. Therefore, if a wind/rain monitor is to be used, please be sure to order the radio receiver from Schalk (including the corresponding transmitter).
Download connection diagram asa ETR
Download connection diagram D+H RCM 230-11-U
Download connection diagram GEZE WRM 230B
Download wiring diagram Schalk FE3 D2
Download connection diagram Schalk FE3 D2 with wind/rain monitor
Connection of time switch
If a time switch is to take over the time-controlled opening and closing of the window, a few small things must be taken into account.
On the one hand the number of channels: A channel can be either a normally open contact or a changeover contact. This varies depending on the time switch. A time switch with one channel and normally open contact is not suitable for connecting a drive. If the single-channel time switch has a changeover contact, a drive can be connected, but it behaves like a blind switch - with all the disadvantages (see above). If the time switch does not offer the possibility of manual operation, you have no further influence on the behavior of the window. It is always fully open or fully closed. Regardless of the weather (although a wind/rain monitor could still be connected) and regardless of whether you are freezing or your plants are freezing to death....
It would be best to install a manual/automatic switch. If this is set to manual mode, you can operate the drive with a blind pushbutton by hand, in automatic position the timer would then take over the time-controlled opening and closing. A wind/rain monitor can also be connected, which closes the window with the highest priority.
There are also time switches with integrated manual-automatic switch and buttons for manual operation (for example our time switch Easy Touch).
Download connection diagram time switch asa Easy Touch
Download connection diagram 2-channel time switch
Download connection diagram 2-channel time switch, manual/automatic switch and shutter pushbutton
Connection of a Smart-Home switch actuator
Every system, no matter from which manufacturer, is able to control blinds. 230V drives are connected exactly the same way as blinds. So in the simplest case, buy a blind actuator that fits your system and connect a 230V drive instead of a blind.
