control

motorised external venetians

As a world leader in automation systems Somfy offers a unique range of control solutions.
Remotes 1

play with natural light

Utilise wired technology, remote control or smart devices to maximise internal light and thermal comfort levels while maintaining external views.

benefits of automation

  • Longevity

    Somfy's smooth and controlled operation of external venitian blinds ensures both maximum functionality and a longer lifespan of the product. Manual operation can damage venetians through excessive force or improper use.

  • Energy Efficiency

    Reduce your energy usage by controlling the amount of heat and light entering your home. All it takes is a simple touch of a button to change the feel of a room.

  • Convenience

    With the simple touch of a button you can move your external venetians to whatever position you like. You can also add sensors and timers so your venetians work for you even when you're not at home.

  • Discretion

    Somfy world leading motors are fully concealed within the external venetian blinds. With the simple press of the remote control you will enjoy the ambiance and impress your guests with a quiet and sophisticated automated sun protection system.

  • control options

    controls & sensors

    overview

    As a world leader in automation systems, Somfy offer a range of control solutions to meet any requirement in the automation of window furnishings in the home or office. Somfy’s unique and stylish range of remote controls provides users with the ultimate in convenience – all at the touch of a button.

    • Telis ModVar RTS (1 or 5 channel) – Revolutionary scroll wheel functionality – specific for venetian blinds – for precise adjustment of horizontal blind slats. Available in a choice of colours including pure, silver and lounge.
    • Telis ModVar Soliris RTS (1 channel) –Turn your sun sensor on and off with the touch of a button plus precise adjustment of horizontal blind slats. Available in a choice of colours including pure, silver and lounge.
    • Telis 16 RTS (16 channel) – Unique display screen allows for easy operation of up to 16 individual motors or 16 groups of motors. Available in a choice of colours including pure and silver.
    • Telis 6 Chronis RTS (6 channel) – Allows programming of up to 6 timed events per day, plus the benefits of a 6 channel Somfy remote. Available in a choice of colours including pure and silver.
    • Smoove RTS wall mounted control (1 channel) – Wall mounted, single channel control unit, up/down and stop functions or open/close and stop function. Available in a choice of modules and frames: modules available in 3 finishes and framed available in 7 finishes.
    • Situo RTS wall mounted remote control (1 channel) – Wireless wall mounted transmitter to control one motor or a group of motors. Available in pure.
    • Eolis RTS wind sensor – Automatically retracts a sunscreen or awning based on wind speed.
    • Soliris RTS sun and wind sensor – Automatically adjusts the position of a sunscreen or awning based on wind speed and/or a preset amount of sunlight.
    wired technology

    overview

    In new construction or renovations, Wired Technology solutions provide simple and reliable control for installations that do not require complex management solutions. Wired Technology links the control device to the motor using electrical wires carrying power and limiting the switch to the source of control. The common motor options available for Wired technology are durable and dependable and feature a wide variety of torques and speeds which are a beneficial resource for interior or exterior motorized shading applications.

    When choosing Wired control units, power supply and wiring should be planned prior to construction and include the possibilities of future renovations.

    Manual controls must be located near windows and in strategic areas which often requires a detailed system design process before development could take place.

    System features

    • Provides control of motorised window coverings via a line voltage or low voltage switch.
    • Offers control using common line voltage switching.
    • Requires an electrician for line voltage switches.
    • Wall switches provide single or group motor control.
    wireless control

    Wireless control

    Radio Technology Somfy® (RTS) is Somfy’s exclusive control platform which enables users to adjust motorised internal and external shading systems such as external venetians, awnings and roller blinds from virtually anywhere inside or outside the home.

    RTS allows users to enter a world of solutions designed to create ambience and bring creations to life to provide the ultimate combination of luxury and performance effortlessly.

    A simple press of a button on a remote control handset or wireless wall switch sends out a radio wave signal. There is no need to point or aim the transmitter because RTS is omnidirectional and operates within a range of up to 30 metres.

    • Telis ModVar RTS (1 or 5 channel) – Revolutionary scroll wheel functionality – specific for venetian blinds – for precise adjustment of horizontal blind slats. Available in a choice of colours including pure, silver and lounge.
    • Telis ModVar Soliris RTS (1 channel) – Turn your sun sensor on and off with the touch of a button plus precise adjustment of horizontal blind slats. Available in a choice of colours including pure, silver and lounge.
    • Telis 16 RTS (16 channel) – Unique display screen allows for easy operation of up to 16 individual motors or 16 groups of motors.
      Available in a choice of colours including pure and silver.
    • Telis 6 Chronis RTS (6 channel) – Allows programming of up to 6 timed events per day, plus the benefits of a 6 channel Somfy remote. Available in a choice of colours including pure and silver.
    • Smoove RTS wall mounted control (1 channel) – Wall mounted, single channel control unit, up/down and stop functions or open/close and stop function. Available in a choice of modules and frames: modules available in 3 finishes and framed available in 7 finishes.
    • Situo RTS wall mounted remote control (1 channel) – Wireless wall mounted transmitter to control one motor or a group of motors. Available in pure.
    • Eolis RTS wind sensor – Automatically retracts a sunscreen or awning based on wind speed.
    • Soliris RTS sun and wind sensor – Automatically adjusts the position of a sunscreen or awning based on wind speed and/or a preset amount of sunlight.
    smart devices

    The simplest choice for controlling motorised applications from home or away.

    Individual Control
    Connect up to four smartphone devices, each with individual, personalised control.

    Centralisation
    All of your Somfy RTS solutions in one place, allowing you to open and close with just one touch.

    Timer
    Schedule the opening and closing of your equipment at the time and date of your choice.

    Ambience Replay
    Register a position for your window coverings and your lights to reproduce your favourite moments.

    Remote Access
    Maximise the many benefits such as energy saving and privacy even when you’re away from home.

    See full specs here.

    home automation

    Linking to home automation systems

    There are several hard-wired methods used to connect blind motors to Home Automation Systems (HAS) or Building Management Systems (BMS). The most common method is through an electronic controller (Somfy Moco Controller) or directly connecting to a HAS/BMS providing that the system has an Interlocking Feature and Individual Outputs for every motor. Interlocking means that when an up or down direction is activated the opposite direction cannot be physically switched or is disabled. The interlocking and Individual Outputs features are critical to this type of installation. If they cannot be achieved do not use this method of installation.

    CD4 ( Somfy Moco ) controller

    The CD4 ( Somfy Moco ) Controller – which is a single motor controller (relay) that requires its own 240 V power supply, with an output voltage of 240V A/C (latched). The switching consists of multiple Dry contact impulse switching (impulse contact closure of one second minimum). Contact closure between Common and Up or Down will activate the motor in the appropriate direction and a contact closure between all three contacts Common, Up and Down will create a Stop Command.
    The CD4 can also be used to control a group of motors through a  Group Motor Controller (3GMC or 4GMC). CD4’S may be connected together for multiple switching applications via Busline. This allows for an Individual control from a dedicated switch and for the control of all CD4’S from a master switch / controller.

    RTS configurations

    There is only one method of interfacing RTS configurations with HAS/BMS and that by using a Somfy RS-485 Transmitter. This Transmitter requires its own 240V power supply and has Dry contact impulse switching inputs that connect to the HAS/BMS (impulse contact closure of 5 to 10 seconds minimum). Once powered the Somfy RS-485 Transmitter can be programmed to internal or external  RTS Receivers that control the motor. For individual control use one Transmitter per RTS Receiver and for group control use one Busline Transmitter per group.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: If two or more Busline Transmitters are activated at the same time the sent command will not work (the radio signals cancel each other out)

    Direct 240V switching

    Direct 240V Switching should only ever be used in conjunction with Standard Switch motors. This method of connection is only used when the HAS/BMS is going to be the only source of control, has the ability to interlock between the up and down commands and provide Individual Outputs for every motor. These features are critical to this type of installation and if they cannot be achieved do not use this method of installation. Interlocking means that when an up or down direction is activated the opposite direction cannot be physically switched or is disabled. The HAS/BMS must switch 240V to the up or down directional wires to drive the motor and 0V to stop the motor. In a scenario with multiple motors each motor will require it’s own individual connection to the HAS/BMS.

    IMPORTANT NOTE: If both up and down are activated at the same time this will cause damage to the motor (irreparable).

    intelligent buildings

    commercial building solutions

    There are a wide range of intelligent motors and controls available that have been designed to optimise the utilisation of natural light in a workspace.

    These systems are calibrated and designed to:

    • minimise solar glare
    • minimise heat gain and loss through glazing
    • provide UV protection.
    • maximise occupant comfort levels
    • enhance the visual environment
    • respond to the surrounding environmental conditions

    Automated Solar Management Actively Contributes To Reducing a Buildings Energy Consumption. Applications include Offices, Hospitality, Health Care and Education.

    Classification of intelligent controls for commercial buildings:

    1. Local Command Systems
    Various technologies are available ( radio, wired and digital ) that can be adapted to building types depending on the number of shading systems and configurations of rooms. Please refer to Wired Technology, Home Automation, Building Management Systems and Smart Device Control as outlined in our website.

    2. Animeo Intelligent Building Controls
    Animeo is a range of intelligent controls which are compatible with and capable of managing all motorised sun shading systems. They have been developed and designed to adapt to any building facade and act to optimise the management of sun, heat, ventilation and shade depending on the the buildings geolocation, architecture and purpose.

    Functions and Benefits of the Animeo Automated Solar Management Systems include:

    a. Visual comfort

    • A basic sun function which lowers blinds in direct glare and retracts them if not required.
    • Sun tracking to maximise the amount of natural light which is allowed to enter a room whilst avoiding direct glare.
    • Shadow management at a window or group level to reduce the need for artificial lighting.
    • Lowering of blinds at night to avoid the discomfort associated with external lighting.

    b. Increased building energy performance:

    • Commands given by sun sensors linked to indoor and outdoor temperature sensors act to control blinds according to pre-set parameters.
    • Control of solar heat gain by allowing the suns natural energy to heat the building as required.
    • Avoiding heat loss and thereby reducing heating costs by lowering blinds as temperatures dictate.

    c. Maintenance and safety

    • all blinds are retracted and local commands are disable when interior or exterior maintenance is carried out on the building.
      -links to fire alarms ensures all blinds are retracted in the event of a fire.
    • Sensors protect the external shading sytems from the risk of damge associated with high winds, hail, frost and ice.
    • Display of the entire systems floor plan, including sensor performance and status of each shading device ( this includes the exact positioning of each blind during its course of movement).
    • Remote access to the Control System via an OPC server.
    It's time to choose
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