C-Bus Training Course

Basic Programming
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Course Code:  BCB005 
Revision Number:  V1.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

© Copyright Clipsal Integrated Systems Pty Ltd 2006. All rights Reserved. Clipsal Integrated Systems is a division of
Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd ABN 27 007 873 529. This material is copyright under Australian and international laws.
Except as permitted under the relevant law, no part of this work may be reproduced by any process without prior
written permission of and acknowledgement to Clipsal Integrated Systems Pty Ltd.

Clipsal and C-Bus are registered trademarks of Clipsal Australia Pty Ltd.

The information in this manual is provided in good faith. Whilst Clipsal Integrated Systems (CIS) has endeavoured to
ensure the relevance and accuracy of the information, it assumes no responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of
its use. CIS does not warrant that the information is fit for any particular purpose, nor does it endorse its use in
applications which are critical to the health or life of any human being. CIS reserves the right to update the
information at any time without notice.

V1.2 Feb 2006

 Contents
 
 
Scope 4
Learning Outcomes 4

1.0 Voltage Free Relay 5

2.0 C-Bus Wall Switch 6

2.1 Functions 7

3.0 C-Bus Light Level Sensor 9

3.1 Groups 9
3.2 Ambient Light 9
3.3 Target 10

4.0 C-Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor 11

4.1 Adjusting the Light Sensor 11
4.2 Day Time Movement Detection 12
4.3 Night Time Movement Detection 12
4.4 Sunset to Sunrise 12
4.5 Security Features 12
4.6 Functions Tab 13
 Basic Programming

Scope
 
This  manual  aims  to  provide  an  installer  with  the  basic  skills  needed  to  program  and  use 
C‐Bus. A fundamental technical background is required. 
 
The manual includes basic programming information for C‐Bus: 
  •  voltage free relays (a common output unit) 
  •  wall switches 
  •  PE cell light level sensors 
  •  PIR occupancy sensors. 

It is an ideal preparation before attending the C‐Bus Basic Training Course. 
 
 
 

Learning Outcomes
 
By the end of this module, you should have an understanding of the basic programming options 
for a: 
  •  C‐Bus L5512 RVF 12 Channel Voltage Free Relay 
  •  Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch 
  •  C‐Bus Light Level Sensor 
  •  C‐Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor. 
 

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 Basic Programming

1.0 Voltage Free Relay

This  section  explains  the  basic  programming  of  the  C‐Bus  L5512RVF  12  Channel  Voltage  Free 
Relay. C‐Bus output units contain many common elements. These include: 
  •  Channel Assignment 
  •  Advanced tab 

Figure 1 shows the panel displayed when editing the L5512RVF. Group Addresses are allocated 
for each channel on the relay. An existing Group is selected from the drop‐down menu. 
 

Figure 1 – Editing a Twelve Channel Voltage Free Relay unit

Clicking the   icon to the right of the drop‐
down menu brings up the Group Add panel 
displayed  in  Figure  2.  This  allows  a  new 
Group Address to be added. 
 
 
 
 
Clicking the   symbol brings up the Group  Figure 2 – Adding a new Group Address
Edit panel displayed in Figure 3. This allows 
the  Tag  of  the  currently  selected  Group 
Address to be changed. 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3 – Changing the Tag name of a Group

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 Basic Programming

2.0 C-Bus Wall Switch

This section explains the basic programming of a 2000 Series Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch. C‐Bus 
input units contain many common elements. These include: 
  •  Key Assignment 
  •  Functions 
  •  Advanced tab. 

Figure  4  shows  the  panel  displayed  when  editing  a  C‐Bus  wall  switch.  Group  Addresses  are 
allocated  for  each  input  (where  there  are  multiple  inputs).  An  existing  Group  is  selected  from 
the drop‐down menu. 
 

Figure 4 – Editing a 2000 Series Standard C-Bus Wall Switch

As when programming an output unit, clicking the   icon to the right of the drop‐down menu, 
brings up the Group Add panel displayed in Figure 2. This allows a new Group Address to be 
added. 

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 Basic Programming

2.1 Functions
Each  input  has  a  Function  drop‐down  menu,  through  which  a  key  function  is  assigned. 
Available functions vary depending on the type of input unit and Application Address. Table 1 
provides  a  list  of  these  functions  together  with  their  action.  An  assigned  function  is  triggered 
when  an  input  is  activated.  Most  inputs  are  activated  by  pressing  a  button,  but  certain  input 
units are triggered by other events, such as a change in lighting level or infrared radiation. 
 

Function Action

On Set on

Off Set off

On/Off Alternate between set on and off

Dimmer Dim up or down, according to the dimmer function mode, which is set by clicking the
properties button. There are two dimmer modes, Toggle and Memory.

Toggle:
A quick button press alternates between set on and off. The dimmer switch does not
remember a specific brightness level. A long button press alternately dims up and
down.

Memory:
A quick button press alternates between a set to the previous dim level, and set off.
A long button press alternately dims up and down.

On Up A quick button press alternates between set to the previous dim level and set off. A
long button press dims up.

Off Down A quick button press alternates between set to the previous dim level and set off. A
long button press dims down.

Timer Initiate a count down timer, according to the timer function mode, which is set by
clicking the properties button. A set off command is issued when the timer
expires. There are two timer modes, Toggle and Retrigger.

Toggle:
A button press alternates between set on and set off. A button release starts the
timer.

Retrigger:
A quick button press issues a set on command and starts (or restarts) the timer. A
long button press issues a set off command.

Bell Press Set on until a button is released, then set off.

Dimmer Up Dim up.

Dimmer Down Dim down.

Soft Up A quick button press issues a ramp to preset level command (Recall 1). A long button
press dims up.

Soft Down A quick button press issues a ramp off command. A long button press dims down.

Preset 1 A quick button press issues a set to preset level command (Recall 1). A long button
press ramps off.

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 Basic Programming

Function Action

Preset 2 A quick button press issues a set to preset level command (Recall 2). A long button
press ramps off.

Trigger 1 A quick (short) release triggers a Control Group Action Selector (stored in Recall 1),
which is set by clicking the properties button. This can be used to remotely
trigger a scene in another C-Bus unit. The Trigger 1 and Trigger 2 functions are only
selectable when the Application Address type is set to Trigger Control.

Trigger 2 As per Trigger 1, but uses Recall 2 to store the Control Group Action Selector.

Unused No action.

<Scene> Execute a Scene (this is covered in the Advanced Programming module). A Scene is
selectable on particular input unit types only, such as the Neo.

<Custom> Execute a customised function, using the parameters defined in the Button (Key)
Functions and Blocks tabs (covered in the Advanced Programming module).

Table 1 – Functions which can be assigned to an input

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 Basic Programming

3.0 C-Bus Light Level Sensor

The C‐Bus Light Level Sensor is a device used to measure ambient light, and transmit messages 
over the C‐Bus network in response to changing levels. It is designed to operate within the range 
of 40 to 1600 lux. 
The sensor is capable of controlling the level of a group from 0 to 100%, or switching it on or off 
when  a  light  level  threshold  is  crossed.  The  sensor  can  be  enabled  or  disabled  from  a  Group 
Address. 
 

Figure 5 – Editing a PE Light Level Sensor unit

3.1 Groups
Three group control options are available for the C‐Bus Light Level Sensor. Figure 5 shows these 
options  which  appear  in  the  Groups  section  when  editing  the  unit  with  the  C‐Bus  Toolkit 
software. The Indicator radio button lets you select which action controls the LED indicator on 
the sensor. 
Available options are: 
  •  Light Level — a group typically associated with a  dimmer or analogue output module. 
The  level  is  ramped  up  when  the  ambient  lighting  level  falls  below  the  defined  Target 
Lux threshold. 
  •  Light On/Off — a group typically associated with a relay output module.  The group is 
switched  on  when  the  ambient  lighting  level  falls  below  the  defined  Target  Lux 
threshold. 
  •  Enable  Group  —  a  group  typically  associated  with  an  input  unit.  When  this  option  is 
used,  the  PE  Light  Level  Sensor  will  only  issue  C‐Bus  commands  when  the  group  is 
switched on. 
 

3.2 Ambient light

This  is  used  when  connected  to  a  live  network.  When  the  Refresh  option  is  checked,  the 
approximate lighting level as read by the sensor is displayed. 
 

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 Basic Programming

3.3 Target
There  are  two  values  which  determine  the  level  at  which  the  sensor  responds  to  a  change  in 
ambient lighting levels: 
  •  Target Lux — the threshold lux level below which any “Light Level” or “Light On/Off” 
group is activated. When used with dimmers you can think of this as the level of lighting 
that you would like to maintain. 
  •  Margin  —  the  level  of  variation  from  the  Target  Lux  level  at  which  the  threshold 
operates. This can be used to prevent constant switching of relay levels when the ambient 
light  level  varies  regularly  (perhaps  due  to  passing  clouds).  It  means  that  a  “Light 
On/Off”  group  can  be  set  to  turn  on  at  a  level  below  the  Target  Lux,  and  turn  off  at  a 
level above the Target Lux. 
 

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 Basic Programming

4.0 C-Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor

Currently  there  are  three  types  of  C‐Bus  PIR  Occupancy  Sensor;  two  indoor  models  and  an 
outdoor model.  Each has the following features: 
  •  passive infrared movement detection 
  •  threshold adjustment on the physical unit 
  •  timer expiry actions, software adjustable from 0 to over 18 hours 
  •  separate day‐time and night‐time movement facilities 
  •  a sunset switch facility 
  •  a security pulse facility. 
 

Figure 6 – Editing a PIR Occupancy Sensor

4.1 Adjusting the Light Level Sensor

The light level sensor must be adjusted to ensure it triggers the programmed load at the correct 
light level, as described in Table 2. 
 
1. Rotate clockwise to avoid activation of load
when natural light is adequate.

- +

2. To activate the load at dusk, set adjustment

to this area.

- +

3. To activate the load at night, set adjustment

to this area.

- +

4. To have the load activated day and night,

set in this position.

- +

Table 2 – Adjusting a light level sensor

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 Basic Programming

4.2 Day Time Movement Detection

This activates a group whenever the ambient lighting level is above the threshold set on the light 
level  sensor,  and  movement  is  detected.  The  selectable  group  is  located  next  to  the  PIR  Day 
Move function. A timer can be used to perform an action (such as switch a group off) a definable 
period  of  time  after  movement  is  detected.  Timer  options  can  be  seen  in  Figure  7.  They  are 
accessed via the   properties button. 
 

Figure 7 – Timer options

4.3 Night Time Movement Detection

This activates a group whenever the ambient lighting level is below the threshold set on the light 
level  sensor,  and  movement  is  detected.  The  selectable  group  is  located  next  to  the  PIR  Night 
Move function. A timer can be used to perform an action (such as switch a group off) a definable 
period  of  time  after  movement  is  detected.  Timer  options  are  accessed  via  the   properties 
button. 
 

4.4 Sunset to Sunrise

The PIR sensors have a PIR Sunset function, which can switch lights on at sunset. The selected 
group is switched off after a timer expires or sunrise, whichever occurs first. Timer options are 
accessed via the   properties button. 
 

4.5 Security Features

PIR Sensors also have a security feature which sends a short pulse intended to drive a buzzer or 
light to indicate movement at any time, irrespective of the light threshold. 

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 Basic Programming

4.6 Functions Tab

The Functions tab (Figure 8) is accessible when the “Advanced >>” button is used to display the 
advanced options. It allows the user to configure the C‐Bus PIR Occupancy Sensor in the same 
way as a Standard C‐Bus Wall Switch. 
 

Figure 8 – The Functions tab

 
 

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