4.3.3. The motors layer

Figure 8: The motors are also given a code.

The new layer that we create is for the motors that can operate in either direction: roller-shutter motors, sunblinds, curtain motors, garage door motors, gate motors, etc. In most cases the various integrated home systems have a separate motor output module in their range. If they do, then we can start the motor code with the letter “M”, again followed by a number. In the other cases the motors will have to be connected to two relay outputs of the integrated home system. In such a case, every motor will have two codes, starting with an “R” followed by a number.

The motors for the garage door and gates can present a problem for us in practice. These motors generally have an intelligent remote control and we cannot access the four wires of the motor. Everything is built into a “motor box”, an enclosed unit. A cable with a plug must be plugged into a power socket for the supply. However, it is often possible to control the motor with pulses. It is then useful to have two pulses available. One pulse for “up” and another pulse for “down”. In this way we know what to do with the garage door, also remotely. The cables to be used are then immediately drawn in the above drawing. M1, M2 and M8 are ordinary motors that operate in both directions. They can be connected to ordinary 230V cabling. We need four wires: common, turn left, turn right, and the earth. M9 is the motor box for the garage door. Here we use a thin-section signal cable to control the door. A power socket will be drawn in the power sockets layer at the same location to ensure a supply to the motor box.

The position on the drawing is important. M1 is drawn on the outside wall of the terrace. This is the motor for the sunblind. M2 is also drawn on the same wall, but at the kitchen window. This motor will operate a roll-down shutter. If we draw the symbol on the inside of the window, it will be a curtain control.