Velbus VMB4RYLD User manual
Installation Guide
v. 2015/08/04
Table of contents
1Introduction ...........................................................6
Velbus - A modular bus system.......................................................6
Principle...........................................................................................7
Quality and stability ........................................................................8
Velbus automation versus a conventional installation...................9
Pricing vs. functionality .................................................................10
2Cabling .................................................................12
Electrical cabling ...........................................................................12
Bus cable .......................................................................................13
3Which modules will I need in my electrical
cabinet? ...............................................................14
Din rail power supply ....................................................................14
DIN rail relay modules...................................................................15
DIN rail dimmer modules ..............................................................16
DIN rail shutter modules ...............................................................17
DIN rail configuration module ......................................................17
Din rail input modules...................................................................18
Example.........................................................................................18
4Which modules can I use in my home along my bus
cable?...................................................................19
Input modules ...............................................................................19
PC Interface VMB1USB..................................................................20
Motion and twilight sensors .........................................................20
Heating / cooling control ..............................................................21
VMB1BLS One channel blind module ...........................................21
5Connecting the modules ......................................22
Terminators...................................................................................22
Addresses ......................................................................................22
Bus wiring......................................................................................24
Other wiring ..................................................................................26
6Programming the modules...................................27
The principles of working with Velbus..........................................27
Getting started with a new project...............................................29
Creating actions ............................................................................43
Visualizing and modifying actions.................................................47
Changing feedback characteristics of input modules ...................49
Forcing and inhibiting ...................................................................51
Configuring modules .....................................................................53
VELBUS INSTALLATION GUIDE
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1INTRODUCTION
VELBUS - A MODULAR BUS SYSTEM
Velbus is a modular system. Each module works autonomously of the others
and for a rule does not need a central controller for its operation. This makes
the system very flexible and robust. Even in case of a local failure, the system
keeps working as a whole.
There is no pre-set starting price (for example a master controller or central
processor) therefore you will only pay for the modules that are really needed.
If you later require additional shutters, lights, dimmers etc. to be automated,
you need only purchase and install the relevant modules. There are many
different modules to choose from, including: relay modules (lights or sockets),
dimmers (halogen, LED ...), shutter modules, motion and twilight sensors, etc.
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Velbus is a bus system. This means that only four cable cores are required in
order to control the whole system. (Two power supply conductors and two
data conductors).The data bus is based on the CAN bus, as commonly used in
the automotive industry and as such is proven to be very stable and reliable.
Bus lengths of several hundreds of meters are possible!
PRINCIPLE
The simplest setup would consist of just two modules: an input and an output
module.
Input modules process the information coming from the outside world. Push-
buttons, switches, sensors, etc. send their status to the bus in small commands
or packets of data.
Output modules interpret these commands and control lighting, heating, air
conditioning, electrical outlets, shutters, etc. via relays, dimmers or low voltage
signals. The conditions of these output modules are then fed back (fully
customizable) to the LEDs in buttons or panels.
1. Push-button 1 is pressed.
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2. A push-button module converts this action into a pulse on the CAN bus.
3. A relay module reads this pulse and responds by closing the contacts, so
that the light turns on.
4. The relay module creates a feedback pulse on the CAN bus
5. The push-button module reads this feedback pulse and responds by
lighting the LED associated with push button 1.
QUALITY AND STABILITY
Velbus is a modular system in which each single module complements your
installation. In turn its failure can never block or damage the operation of the
overall system, contrary to centrally controlled systems. Each module is fully
independent because of its own processor. Each Velbus module monitors the
bus continuously and executes an action as required by the conditions set
within it.
The bus itself is based on the CAN-bus which is commonly used in the
automotive sector. The CAN-bus is very stable and by lowering the baud rate it
can effectively operate without problems over very long distances (up to 1.1
km using EIB cable).
The bus operates on pulses or packets of data. Even during the dimming of
lights or the activation of an “all off” function there is very little traffic on the
bus. This obviously has great advantages over other systems. Dozens of
simultaneous requests can be processed seamlessly (on/off, dimming,
moods …) while sending of feedback pulses remains very fast. This style of
control also ensures that no unnecessary energy is consumed.
Configuration modules can be mounted anywhere along the bus cable (in
storage spaces, offices, bedrooms, and the like) allowing you to connect your
PC wherever you want to monitor the modules or make changes to their
programming. During these changes your Velbus system will continue to
function normally, without causing any hindrances to users.
The physical cabling of the bus may, if desired, run in a loop in order to make
the system even more resistant to bus cable ruptures. The bus power supply
voltage may vary between 12 V and 18 V.
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The Velbus modules are developed in the Velleman buildings in Gavere
(Belgium) where the software is written and all production is planned and co-
ordinated. Because everything is developed in-house, we can make changes
quickly and efficiently and ensure that the high quality standards of our
product lines are at all times met. It also allows us to easily incorporate new
features requested by clients, resulting in an ever growing array of possibilities.
As a company, Velleman has 40 years of experience in the development and
production of high quality electronics.
VELBUS AUTOMATION VERSUS A CONVENTIONAL
INSTALLATION
A Velbus system offers several advantages compared to a conventional
installation. The investment in a Velbus system is minimal and, compared to
the advantages it offers, even negligible.
With a Velbus system the question changes from “Should we automate?” to
“How much will we automate?”. “Home automation” or “Domotics” still calls
to mind for many people, images of expensive and complicated installations.
This could not be further from the truth. A standard “everything off” or panic
button is already the start of an automation system.
A Velbus automation system can consist of only a few modules and be fully
functional. It can also be very large and complex, providing full automation and
very advanced features. Velbus proves its worth every day in thousands of
installations, not only in standard homes but also in industrial buildings, cruise
ships, large residences with out houses, and so on.
In a Velbus system all modules work independently, in any possible
combination. With only a few mouse clicks the existing connections can be
altered, removed and reconnected elsewhere. In a few seconds a push-button
that switches a light can be reconfigured to function as an “all off”, a dimmer,
a timer, and so on, at your desire.
The Velbus configuration software is free. Accessing the settings and statuses
of modules is possible at all times, even permitting continuous or instant
adaptation while everything on the bus continues working. A system will be
fully functioning moments after the set of instructions is issued to the modules
during the initial programming. Shortly after taking into operation the system,
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in many cases users will want to make changes to the configuration. With
Velbus this can be easily achieved without breaking open any walls or hindering
normal functioning of the working system.
Since a Velbus system is modular, it will at all times be ready for future
developments. Velbus invests continuously in the development of new
modules and features, which can be easily added to an existing system. If you
decide to use a dimmer after all instead of the on/off function you installed, all
you need to do is add a dimmer module. Your house will at all times be ready
for the future.
A Velbus installation needs no extra modules or special programming to
provide feedback. Standard feedback is provided out of the box: the LEDs on
push-buttons for instance will be on if the coupled light is on, they will blink if
a timer is running, and so on. This standard feedback is also completely
reconfigurable, for example by coupling the LED of a pushbutton in the living
room to give feedback about a light in a nursery, and so on.
Properly configured, your Velbus automation system also saves energy.
Imagine for instance a light in the hallway that automatically turns off, a
feedback LED that reminds you the light on the driveway is still on, an “all off”
switch that takes care of all hidden consumers and automatically puts the
heating in energy saving mode, and so on.
The benefits of an automated home are plentiful because of the many options
and functions. Alarm timers, remote control (by iPod®, iPad®, iPhone®,
smartphone or web browser), burglar alarm, fire alarm, media player control,
email and SMS notifications, and many more are just waiting to be dreamt up.
Velbus can take care of it all. Not to forget the added value that your home or
investment property will enjoy.
PRICING VS. FUNCTIONALITY
Both for small (residential) and larger (commercial) automation projects,
Velbus always offers the most economical solution. A Velbus system does not
require a central (or master) controller, so you will neither have to buy one,
nor pay for maintaining, repairing or upgrading it. For the same reason a Velbus
installation is also less likely to suffer a total systemic failure or need expensive
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repairs. This implies considerable cost savings right from the start of your
project.
Furthermore, you need only purchase modules that you really need: relay
modules according to the number of switched circuits, dimmer modules,
shutter and window blind modules, interface modules for the switches that
you wish to use and/or glass touch panels with integrated thermostat
functions, and so on.
The total price of these modules is the total price of your Velbus materials and
is one of the lowest on the market! The configuration software is free, including
any future updates! When compared to competitive brands, you will be
amazed by the big difference in price and flexibility.
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2CABLING
Cabling for a Velbus system consists of electrical cabling (mains voltage) on the
one hand, and bus cable (low voltage) on the other hand.
ELECTRICAL CABLING
Each light circuit, socket circuit, blind, or other device that you wish to control
separately has to be directly connected by an uninterrupted electrical cable to
the electrical cabinet (radial circuit).
Attention: shutters cannot be wired in parallel and should therefore be
separately connected to the shutter modules. There are single and dual shutter
modules available.
Unlike a conventional installation, you do not need to include any switching in
the path of these cables. This detail alone saves you cabling costs and lets you
benefit from the ease with which electric cables are installed around the
property (no multiway or two way switching needed).
In larger installations you will save even more on the wiring by using one or
more electrical cabinets per zone. You can place these centrally to each floor
or zone, reducing the overall amount of mains voltage cabling.
If you want Velbus to control your heating, you will also need a cable from the
electrical cabinet to every heating valve (controlling the flow of hot water to
the various circuits). The type of cable will be determined by the devices, for
example low voltage or mains.
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BUS CABLE
Apart from standard mains electrical cable, a Velbus installation also needs a
bus cable. The bus cable must have four wires: two wires to provide 12…18 V
DC power supply to the Velbus modules, and two other (twisted) wires for bus
communication.
This cable must start at (or at least pass through) the electrical cabinet that
contains your DIN RAIL modules, then pass through each and every point
where some form of control, temperature measurement or Velbus user
interface will be located.
You may want to extend your bus cable to “non-automated” areas to “future
proof” your installation (Keep the loose ends disconnected from the active
installation for as long as they are not in use). The additional cost of a few
metres of cable will greatly outweigh the costs in the future. It is worth
considering using flexible conduit in your installation to protect the cables and
greatly reduce the time necessary to modify or extend the installation in the
future.
Caution: If you use different low voltage power supplies, the grounds must
always be connected to ensure the correct potential difference across all parts
of the installation.
As stated above, the Velbus bus cable must have
four wires (two for power and two for the data).
This can be done with stranded EIB or UTP cable.
The EIB cable is robust and professional; we would
normally recommend this cable for the Velbus
backbone.
Velbus does not impose many demands on the way the bus cable is installed:
branches, loops, parallel connections and tree style installations are all
permissible and can be used together in the same installation. If you install the
bus in a grand loop, users will not suffer a failure even if it were completely
interrupted at any point, for example during expansion or alteration. You can
run a data bus for several hundred meters without problems.
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To connect the bus between DIN modules in the electrical cabinet, there is also
the busbar VMBRAIL.
For your convenience, it is best to work with deep recessed pattress boxes so
that you have ample room afterwards when mounting pushbutton, PCB and
interface modules.
3WHICH MODULES WILL I NEED IN
MY ELECTRICAL CABINET?
DIN RAIL POWER SUPPLY
You can use the Velbus web based
consumption calculator (www.velbus.eu >
Professionals > Installers) to find out how
much control power your full installation
will consume. For a normal home one 4.5 A
VMBSMPS power supply will suffice (the
rule of thumb is: 1 A maximum current
consumption for every 4 relay modules).
In larger installations, a low voltage power supply can be installed in each
electrical cabinet containing Velbus modules.
The grounds of the various low voltage power supplies (per floor for example)
must always be connected to each other.
The power supply of the bus cable to input modules (push button interfaces,
glass touch panels …) can be branched off at any electrical cabinet, since input
modules consume very little current.
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DIN RAIL RELAY MODULES
Relay modules can
switch lighting, sockets,
LED power supplies and
much more, since they
can handle currents of
up to 16 A (AC resistive)
per channel. For the
VMB4RYLD the total
current across the
whole module is also
maximum 16 A. For
devices that consume large currents, we recommend adding a contactor
between the module and the load.
The VMB4RYLD is a 4-channel voltage-out relay module with common neutral
poles, where only the live pole is switched on each channel. The live and
neutral wires, normally coming from an isolated and protected circuit breaker,
are simply connected to the input contacts of this module, which makes them
available as 4 relay outputs.
The VMB4RYNO has 4 single pole single throw dry programmable relay
contacts. As mentioned above, each channel can handle currents of up to 16 A
(AC resistive).
Each 4-channel relay module has (under the
protective cover) four push buttons for directly
controlling the relay, mainly for test purposes.
To control heating and cooling systems with a
Velbus system, you will need to connect a separate
relay channel to each of your heating or cooling
functions, motorised valves, wax thermal
actuators and other devices.
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DIN RAIL DIMMER MODULES
Depending on the type of load, you will need a particular dimmer.
To directly connect your mains voltage lighting circuits you can use the Velbus
VMDBMI-R dimmer module, or a Velbus four-channel 0-10 V control VMB4DC
together with dimmers that use 0-10V analogue signalling as input (e.g. the
Velbus VMB2LEDDC or third party mains dimmers).
For dimming LED strips (PWM) we have the VMB2LEDDC 0-10 V 2-channel
dimmer to be used in combination with the dimmer controller module
VMB4DC.
For more information about dimming with Velbus, please refer to
www.velbus.eu (dimmer products pages, FAQ and downloads).
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DIN RAIL SHUTTER MODULES
Every two shutters or screens require a
VMB2BLE 2-channel shutter controller. (As an
alternative to this DIN rail module, there is also
the VMB1BLS, a small 1-channel shutter
controller that easily fits in the shutter casing).
Shutters cannot be run in parallel, so each
shutter will require its own controller channel.
These modules can also control various
motorised platforms and moving devices, on a
timed movement basis.
DIN RAIL CONFIGURATION MODULE
In order to configure your Velbus system you will need a Velbus PC interface.
Through the interface modules you will be able to use the free configuration
software Velbuslink to program and monitor the Velbus modules.
The VMBRSUSB (shown here with its dust
protection cover removed) is a dual RS232 and
USB slave socketed version for installation onto
a DIN rail. (As an alternative to this DIN rail
module, there are also the VMB1USB and
VMB1RS interfaces for universal mounting
along the bus cable). Please note that the
VMBRSUSB only supports one connection type
at a time.
After having configured your Velbus installation, you will only need access to
this module when you want to make changes to the Velbus modules.
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DIN RAIL INPUT MODULES
Usually, the 8 channel PCB style user interface,
VMB8PBU, would be installed directly behind banks of
push buttons that you intend your users to operate.
In order to make use of long cables and/or to replace
an existing teleruptor installation, the VMB7IN is
needed. This is a 7-channel input module for mounting
on a DIN rail. This module does not offer feedback to
the switches, but does have status LEDs in its body.
EXAMPLE
In a home where one wants to have just twenty automated lights, one would
need one VMBSMPS power supply and five VMB4RYLD relay modules in the
electrical cabinet.
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4WHICH MODULES CAN I USE IN MY
HOME ALONG MY BUS CABLE?
INPUT MODULES
Interfaces for buttons
The two most commonly used types of input modules are the universal push-
button interface module VMB8PBU and the various glass panels in the
VMBGPxxx range.
The universal VMB8PBU input module can easily be
mounted behind push button panels of your choice.
This module allows you to connect up to eight
switches, each with feedback indicators (if LEDs are
fitted, sold separately). Feedback can also be
programmed with a night mode. Please note that the
wires connecting the push buttons should not be
extended.
For Niko® buttons a 1 or 2 button interface
VMB2PB(A)N with integrated LEDs (blue or amber)
and a 6 button version VMB6PB(A)N are also
available.
Velbus glass touch panels
Our VMBGPxxx glass touchpanels (VMBGPOD shown
left, VMBGP1, VMBGP2 and VMBGP4, each in black or
white) offer a fantastic choice of operating modes and
functions. These include, amongst others, multi-step
modes, temperature sensing, thermostat functions,
multi-element programs, up to 32 user button
elements, IR receiver, built-in clock with sunset and
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sunrise times, LED feedback and heating/cooling control of up to 12 other glass
panels.1
PC INTERFACE VMB1USB
Anywhere along your Velbus network where you will need
to connect a computer for local configuration, testing or
monitoring, the use of a VMB1USB would prove to be the
ideal solution. It can be neatly hidden behind a blind Velbus
plate VMBFBI.
Example: For a property where control is spread
across numerous areas or zones, it may be easier to
connect your computer where you can see the results
of your programming at first hand.
MOTION AND TWILIGHT SENSORS
Velbus has its own motion, twilight and temperature sensors to be installed
along the bus.
The VMBPIROW (white) and VMBPIROB (black)
outdoor motion, twilight and temperature sensors
allow for simultaneous motion and twilight detection
as well as temperature measurement.
The VMBPIRC ceiling motion and
twilight sensor has simultaneous
motion, twilight and absence detection.
The built-in astronomical clock allow the VMBPIRO and
VMBPIRC to operate time-dependently. Both the VMBPIROx and VMBPIRC can
simultaneously detect motion for a passage signal and light dependent
movement for lighting control.
Other sensors are in development at the time of writing of this guide.
1Dependant on model
This manual suits for next models
10
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