Multifunction and wall switches
There are many smart KNX switches for controlling lamps, shutters and sockets. Unfortunately, these are outrageously expensive and contribute to a large part of the hardware costs due to the required amount.
Wall switches with KNX universal interface
If you use KNX universal interface interfaces instead, you can easily integrate conventional wall switches or pushbuttons. This saves a lot of money and it looks very subtle. For this purpose, the KNX cable is laid in a star shape from the main distribution cabinet to the respective switch positions and connected there to the KNX push button interface. The interface itself is now connected to the button and receives from now on all switching operations. These in turn can trigger freely configurable actions in the SmartHome. In most cases, however, only “light on / off” is. Also conceivable are things like controlling the presence and absence status or a central blind control.
KNX multifunction switches
In all places where I did not need more than 4 buttons, I could put on the aforementioned combination. Only in 2 places I had to use 8-fold multifunction KNX push buttons not to cover my wall with unnecessarily many switch boxes. Compared to the normal pushbutton solution, these multifunction switches are somewhat confusing. Especially in the dark or in the “short pass” they are harder to use so I always, if possible, would prefer a button.
Wall switches with KNX binary input
Occasionally, there are also conventional switches which are connected via a KNX binary input. This represents the favorable variant.
Switching operations
The switching operations are performed by KNX switching actuator.