This article covers the following topics:
- What is a function?
- Available functions
- Example: Creating a 'Switchable light' function
What is a function?
- From the user's point of view, a function is the way to create the representation and the configuration of a 'circuit' in ETS Inside (e.g. Master lighting in the bedroom), so that it can be linked with respective devices (e.g. an actuator and a push button) and be downloaded later on.
- From the technical point of view, a function is an element for collecting and structuring 'Groups' in project.
Available functions
The following function types exist today:
Every function type, generates by default some standard Groups when the function is created. These can of course be modified or deleted, or you can add more yourself if you want.
Very important aspect is that only Objects of the same type can be linked to the same Group. So, only the Objects that can be linked together are shown when browsing through the available Objects. E.g. 'Dimming Object' can only be linked with another 'Dimming Object'.
Switchable light
The 'Switchable light' function automatically contains two Groups; the 'Switching' and the 'Status'.
- Switching: To be used for linking the 'Switching' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group usually performs the 'On/Off' function to the linked circuit.
- Status: To be used for linking the 'Status/Feedback' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group makes possible to read the actual status of the linked circuit.
Dimmable light
The 'Dimmable light' function automatically contains four Groups; the 'Switching', the 'Dimming', the 'Value' and the 'Status'.
- Switching: To be used for linking the 'Switching' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group usually performs the 'On/Off' function to the linked circuit.
- Dimming: To be used for linking the 'Dimming' Object of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'Dimming Up/Down' function to the linked circuit. E.g. 'Dim gradually the light up or down'.
- Value: To be used for linking the 'Value' Object of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'Send Value' function to the linked circuit. E.g. 'Set the light power to 50%'.
- Status: To be used for linking the 'Status/Feedback' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group makes possible to read the actual status of the linked circuit.
Sun protection
The 'Sun protection' function automatically contains four Groups; the 'Movement', the 'Step/Stop', the 'Wind alert' and the 'Rain alert'.
- Movement: To be used for linking the 'Movement/Up-Down' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'full movement' function to the linked blind or shutters circuit.
- Step/Stop: To be used for linking the 'Step/Stop' Object of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'Step movement' function to the linked blind or shutters circuit. E.g. 'Move gradually the blinds up or down'.
- Wind alert: To be used for linking the 'Wind alert' Object of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'Wind alert' function to the linked circuit. E.g. 'When there is wind, move the blinds/shutters up'.
- Rain alert: To be used for linking the 'Rain alert' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group performs the 'Rain alert' function to the linked circuit. E.g. 'When it rains, close the window'.
Heating radiator - Heating floor
The 'Heating radiator' as well as the 'Heating floor' functions automatically contain five Groups; the 'Current temperature', the 'Setpoint temperature', the 'Variable', the 'Operation mode' and the 'Window contact'.
- Current temperature: To be used for linking the 'Current Temperature' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group allows the reading of the current temperature from a thermostat and the possibility to transmit the value to another device (e.g. heating actuator, visualisation).
- Setpoint temperature: To be used for linking the 'Setpoint Temperature' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group allows to set a desired current temperature to a thermostat and the possibility to transmit the value to another device (e.g. heating actuator, visualisation).
- Variable: To be used for linking the 'Variable' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group allows, to send a valve position to a heating actuator (e.g. open the heating valves to 50%).
- Operation mode: To be used for linking the 'Operation mode' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group allows to set the operation mode (e.g. Economy, Normal, Frost protection, etc.) from the thermostat to a heating actuator. (e.g. an actuator, based on the operation mode received by the thermostat, automatically adjusts the valve positions).
- Window contact: To be used for linking the 'Alert/Window contact' Objects of the devices to be used. This Group allows, to indicate to the heating actuators or to other devices that a window is open, in order to either change the operating mode (e.g. Frost protection mode), or perform any other action (e.g. turn on lights or switch off the heating or send an alarm).
Custom function
A custom function, may contain one or more Groups that can be used to perform different functions. When creating a custom function, there are no standard Groups created. You have to add Groups manually, by tapping the 'Add group' button (1) filling in a name and then by tapping the 'Return' button (2) it is saved.
Modify/delete/rename a Group
To make any modification or deletion of a Group, simply tap the 'Modify' button on top (1) and select the Group you would like to modify by tapping it (2). You will see the action bar on the bottom (3). If you want to delete the Group, then tap the 'Delete' button and it will be deleted immediately.
In case you want to rename it, then tap the 'Rename' button and you will be able to modify the name.
Add a Group
In order to add a Group in a function, simply select the function you wish to extend and then tap the 'Add Group' button.
This will trigger the creation of a new Group. Fill in a name and tap the 'Return' button to save it.
Once saved, it is shown after the standard Groups.
Example : Creating a 'Switchable light' function
What you actually want to do in this example is to link a function with a push button (the trigger of the on or off action) and the switching actuator (the receiver of the on or off action).
After having created the building structure, select the building element (e.g. a room) where you would like the function to be created. Tap the 'Functions' (1) link on the right side.
By tapping it, the 'Functions' page is shown, where you can add a new function as well as see any available functions. Tap the 'Add function' button (2) in order to add a function.
As soon as you tap it, a dropdown menu is shown, where all the available function types are listed.
In our example, we are going to create a 'Switchable light' function, so you have to tap the 'Switchable light' option (3).
You are now requested to fill in a name in the respective field (4). Fill a name that is representative of the circuit, e.g. 'Master bedroom' and then tap 'Return' to save it.
Once you fill in a name and tap the 'Return' button, the function is created (5). In order to see the Groups that have been created and assigned to the function, tap on it.
By tapping it, you can see that there are two Groups created, the 'Switching' and the 'Status'. These are the two standardised Groups, which are created when a function of type 'Switchable light' is created.
Now, you have to link the 'Switching' Group with:
- The respective 'Object(s)' of the push button.
- The respective 'Object(s)' of the switching actuator.
Making the link with the push button
Tap the 'Link with' (6) button, in order to make the first link.
You will be requested to select the 'Object' of the device that is going to be linked with the Group that you have previously selected. Tap the push button to select it (7) and the available Objects in the push button are shown. Select the 'Switch, Rocker A (upper rocker) (8) and then the actual link will be made.
As soon as you make the link, you will see the linked Object of the push button within the column 'Objects', highlighted with a light blue colour. You have to follow the same steps to link the lower rocker A. Tap on the 'Link with' button (10) again.
Select again the push button by tapping on it (11) and then select the Object 'Switch, Rocker A (lower rocker) by tapping on it to finalise the linking.
Finally, you will see that the 'Objects' from the push button, the upper and the lower rockers from channel A, are linked and are shown in the 'Objects' column under the 'Switching Group'.
In order to ensure that the status LED from the push button shows always the correct status, you have to link it with the 'Status Object' of the push button. The same procedure as before, has to be followed here as well. Tap on the 'Link with' button (14) to start browsing the available 'Objects'.
Locate and tap the push button (15), then look for the Object 'LED outer left - Status' and once found, tap on it (16) and then the actual link will be made.
... and you can see that the 'Status Object' is now linked with the 'Status' Group.
Making the link with the switching actuator
The second part of the example, is to link the 'Switching' and 'Status' Objects of the switching actuator with the respective Groups of the 'Switchable function - Master bedroom'. The procedure again, is the same.
Select the 'Switching' Group and tap the 'Link with' button (18).
Browse through the building structure and go to the cabinet in order to find the switching actuator. Select the switching actuator by simply tapping on it (19) and then find the 'Switch, Channel A - On/Off'. Tap on it (20) to make the actual link.
As soon as the link is made, you will see the newly linked Object from the switching actuator below the push button Objects.
Now, you also have to link the 'Status' Group with the 'Status' Object from 'Switching actuator'. Just repeat the linking procedure again, by tapping the 'Link with' button (22)...
Browse to the 'Switching actuator' (23) and then tap the 'Status switch, Channel A - On/Off' (24) to finally make the actual link.
As soon as this done, you will see two Objects within the 'Status' Group. One from the push button and another one from the switching actuator. The linking is completed! Now, you only have to Download the configuration to the devices.
