Basic Functions

A home automation system can be very complex, executing hundreds of functions in every second. Complexity however, does not mean that it has to be complicated. No matter how complex a system is, the individual tasks can be narrowed down to control two major states: ON and OFF (or YES and NO). There is no maybe. A TV can either be turned on or off. There is no TV which is maybe on.

These basic ON and OFF functions can be used to control any elements of the system. We can even combine many different functions into one single function or button press. The combined functions are often called modules, or macros.

On

Function: Turns one or more light on. If the light was already on, it stays on.

Example: Guest Bedroom Wall Sconces On

Off

Function: Turns one or more light off.

Example: Master Bedroom ceiling lights OFF. If the light was already off, it will stay off.

Conditional On or Off (IF)

Function : Depending on a condition, it performs different tasks, or it does nothing at all.

Example: Bedroom Lights, conditional ON (with 2 set conditions)

Condition 1: Before midnight; turns the light on with 90% intensity

Condition 2: After midnight; turns the light on with 30% intensity
(if someone already sleeps in the room, the light will not bother the sleeping person)

Toggle
(special combination of a conditional ON and OFF)

Function: alternates the current on/off state of the light.
- if the light is on, it turns it off, if the light is of, it turns it on.

Example: Guest Bedroom All Lights On/Off.

Ramp Up
(special conditional on)

If the light is off, it will turn the light gradually on, by increasing the intensity.
By applying more button pushes, or by pressing and holding the RAMP UP (DIMM UP) button we can gradually increase the value of the light intensity up to the preset maximum. If the light is fully on (100%) the command has no effect.

Ramp Down
(special conditional off)

If the light is on, it will turn the light gradually off, by lowering the intensity.
By applying more button pushes, or by pressing and holding it down the RAMP DOWN (DIMM DOWN) we can gradually decrease the value of the light intensity. If the light is off (0%) the command has no effect.