FAQ's ACTinBOX CLASSIC

Can I connect different electrical phases in the actuator outputs?

Yes, different electrical phases can be connected to any output of any block indifferently, taking in mind the next exceptions of the following actuators:

- ACTinBOX MAX 6 -> Different phases can be connected in the outputs as long as one of them is connected into the A or B channels and the other one into channel C.

- ACTinBOX QUATRO -> Different phases can be connected in the outputs as long as one of them is connected into the A channel and the other one into channel B.

- ACTinBOX CLASSIC -> No different phases can be connected in this case, as the device has an only clamp for channels A & B.

- MAXinBOX16 -> Different phases can be connected in the outputs as long as they are connected to different terminal block.

- inBOX 20/24 -> The outputs are internally connected, thus, only one phase can be connected

What are the devices that can be controlled by the actuators?

Any electronic device needing the opening/closing of a relay for its control, i.e: light points, shutters, clima, .....

When controlling the same light from more than one switch, the status indicator is not updated in all the switches. What is wrong?

To switch on/off  properly a light form several points it is important to notice that the outputs and the inputs statuses must be linked together, by doing that, the inputs that have not make the control are updated with the output status. 

Which shutter motors are the suitable ones to be used with Zennio actuators?

Zennio shutter controllers are designed to work with 3 wire motors: neutral, rising movement and lowering movement.

It is possible to control continuous current shutters (12VDC/24VDC) with polarity inversion using the shutter adaptors Shutter Coupler 1CH and 2CH together with the usual shutter actuator.

Is it possible to connect several blinds to one output channel of an actuator?

Connect more than one blind engine per channel, though possible, is not recommended at all.
The motor windings generate induced currents that can cause a erratic behavior of the motors.

What actuators outputs are suitable for capacitive loads: low-energy lamps, LED, fluorescent lights?

Capacitive loads can be connected to all our actuators, excepting the following devices:

• 1 and 2 outputs of ACTinBOX CLASSIC-HYBRID from serial number 09AAD001. Previously this serial number, this device couldn't stand Capacitive loads
• Never connect capacitive loads to the outputs of a ACTinBOX MAX6.

Fluorescent lights, LED and energy saving lamps usually use capacitive electronic transformers. In these cases, you should follow the recommendations described above.

I have an actuator and the outputs do not work or they behave strange

Check that you have downlaoded the last version of the application program available at our website. If so, contact our Technical Support.

How can I test the outputs withouth programming it with ETS?

ACTinBOX CLASSIC-HYBRID, QUATRO and MAX6 allow controlling their outputs with IR remote controller (Not included; Ref. ZN1IRZ38) when they are in programming mode (red programming LED lighting). WARNING: Do not activate two relays of a shutter channel at the same time or the shutter motor could be damaged.

The rest of Zennio actuators allow manual control of their outputs with the push buttons on their enclosure. If the programming button is pressed during 3 seconds, the device will enter test On mode (green LED lights) and it will not send status communication objects to bus (it will also ignore KNX orders).

Which Zennio devices include binary inputs?

You can check which Zennio devices have binary (digital) inputs in the following table

Differences between Push button and Switch/Sensor inputs

A push button connected to an input consists of a device, which allows, or not, the current flow while this is being pushed; in normal conditions, push buttons contacts are always open (NO) or closed (NC). This event is a pulsation and the time it lasts, threshold time. Depending on the “Threshold Time” it can be distinguished two different actions:

• Short press
• Long press

A Switch/Sensor connected to an input, consists of an electrical mechanism which may have its contacts open or closed under normal conditions. These mechanisms don’t recover their normal position automatically as with the push button. A transition of a digital signal from low/high/low is called "Edge".

• Falling edge: Closed contact to Open Contact.
• Rising edge: Open contact to Closed Contact.

What type of contacts can be connected on the binary inputs?

Binary inputs of Zennio devices are voltage free contacts. They can be individually configured and each of them can be connected to a push buttons and/or a switch/sensors.

Can I connect several push buttons in parallel in the same input?

Yes, inputs are voltage free, so there is no problem in connecting several push buttons in parallel.

Why do I have to press twice over an input for the output to react?

It happens when one output is commuted by two or more different inputs and the output status object isn't used to synchronize these inputs. 

What is the maximum length allowed for the wiring of the digital inputs?

The wiring of the digital inputs can be extended up to 30 meters using a cable with a section between 0.15 mm2 and 1 mm2.

Which Zennio products have logical functions?

• Actuators (all): MAXinBOX SHUTTER 8CH, MAXinBOX SHUTTER 4CH, MAXinBOX 16 Plus, MAXinBOX 16, MAXinBOX 8 Plus, MAXinBOX 8, MAXinBOX 66, MINiBOX 45, MINiBOX 25, MINiBOX Quatro, MINiBOX 20, inBOX 24, inBOX 20, ACTinBOX MAX 6, ACTinBOX QUATRO, ACTinBOX Classic Hybrid.
• Lighting: DIMinBOX DX2, DIMinBOX 2CH, Luzen Plus, Luzen One
• Clima: MAXinBOX Hospitality, MAXinBOX FANCOIL 4CH2P, MAXinBOX FANCOIL 2CH2P, MAXinBOX FC 0-10V FAN, MAXinBOX FC 0-10V VALVE, HeatingBOX 230V 8X, HeatingBOX 230V 4X, KLIC-DD, KLIC-DI Sky, ACTinBOX MAX 6 Fan Coil y ACTinBOX QUATRO Fan Coil.
• KNX Energy Saver: KES, KCI.

Can I use the same Logical Function variables in different operations?

Yes, this is possible; just have on mind that the value stored in the variable changes when executing any operation in which it is involved, and this inevitably will affect the rest of operations using this same variable.

Is the value of an internal variable retained between different calls to the logical function?

Yes, it is. The value is retained even after a power failure, and it can also be used in different logical functions.

Is it possible to enchain several logical functions to solve complex issues?

Yes, it is. If the same object is used to call several functions, they will be executed in order, and it is also possible to pass values from one function to another using the internal variables.

All my Group Address associations with the Logical Function Communication objects disappeared. What happened?

This happens in the modules of 5 logical functions, where you need to input the number of Total Data Entry objects of each type in parameters. If you need to increase those parameters of Total Data entry objects onces you have made all the Logical Function Group Address associations, you will lose those associations.

WE ALWAYS RECOMMEND to define some more additional objects than the strictly necessary in the Logical Functions, as a later redefinition involves the deletion of the possible Group Address associations already made, with the consequent loss of time when having to associate them again.

In the modules of 10 logical functions, each Data Entry is enabled independently, avoiding the lose of associations when you need a different number of Data Entry objects.

ACTinBOX CLASSIC (product code ZN1IO-AB46) has evolved in time to its last product version ACTinBOX CLASSIC-HYBRID (code ZN1IO-AB46A).

The original ACTINBOX CLASSIC, ZN1IO - AB46 (Serial Nº up to 09AAD0001 (not included))

• 6 multifunction optocoupled binary inputs for voltage free push buttons.
• Voltage free Outputs through bistable relays -> NOT SUITABLE FOR CAPACITIVE LOADS
• Application program ACTinBOX CLASSIC

The evolved ACTINBOX CLASSIC, ZN1IO - AB46 (Serial Nº included in the following range 09AAD0001 (included) ....... 10AAF (not included))

• 6 multifunction optocoupled binary inputs for voltage free push buttons.
• Outputs 1 & 2 Voltage free through bistable relays -> NOT SUITABLE FOR CAPACITIVE LOADS
• Outputs 3 & 4 Voltage free through bistable relays -> SUITABLE FOR CAPACITIVE LOADS (max 140 µF)
• Application program ACTinBOX CLASSIC

The new ACTINBOX CLASSIC, suitable for the HYBRID Aplication Program, ZN1IO - AB46A (Serial Nº higher than 10AAF (included))

• 4 multifunction optocoupled binary inputs for voltage free push buttons. + 2 A/D inputs also optocoupled; these two last inputs, 5 & 6, to connect a temperature probe and a movement sensor respectively.
• Outputs 1 & 2 Voltage free through bistable relays -> NOT SUITABLE FOR CAPACITIVE LOADS
• Outputs 3 & 4 Voltage free through bistable relays -> SUITABLE FOR CAPACITIVE LOADS (max 140 µF)
• The device enclosure adds also new characteristics i.e the programming push button, the screen printing and the LED lighting guide.
• Application program ACTinBOX CLASSIC-HYBRID

What does safe mode mean?

When a device is running in safe mode the programming LED blinks in red, meaning that the application program is halted.

How to set a device in safe mode?

To activate the safe mode, keep the programming button pressed while connecting the device into the KNX bus. This process is described in the datasheet of the device.

How to exit from safe mode?

To exit from safe mode, simply plug the KNX bus into the device but do not press the programming button this time. This way the programming LED does not blink, meaning that the application program is running (safe mode is not active).

How do a download in safe mode?

When an incidence is caused during the download, it is recommended to do a safe mode download, to ensure that the previous corrupted download doesn’t affect to this new download: 

To do a download in safe mode, you should follow the next steps:

1. Disconnect the device from KNX bus.
2. Connect the device to KNX bus while holding down the programming button. The programming LED will start blinking indicating that the device is in safe mode.
3. Once in safe mode, download the application program completely to the device.
4. When the download is finished, disconnect and reconnect the device from the bus.

Inputs number and type of each Zennio device.

Zennio devices have two input types :

-       Binary inputs: to connect push buttons/switches.

-       Analog-digital inputs: to connect motion sensors or temperature probes. Also configurable as binary inputs.

*Inputs not available for luminosity sensor functionality.