Fibaro universal binary sensor wiring without gnd

[wpeeters 30]

I was thinking to use the fibaro universal binary sensor for having the status of a device triggered by a push button on HCL.

However I only have 2 wires, blue and red. Red is the power directly connected to the device. Blue is the switched one going through the push button.

What about the GND connection on the sensor? Is it necessary to connect?

[petergebruers 1,268]

I don't understand... Can you make a drawing? If you mean to control something by a UBS... that is impossible. The "out" follows the "in". To control something, you need a relay. If you want to get the status of a device on your HCL, you need two wires (9-30 VDC plus ground) to power the module, and two for the input: IN1 and the ground. Between IN1 and ground you connect a switch (relay). The module needs to be powered at all times. It's not designed for battery power: it consumes 30-40 mA @ 12 V and acts as a Z-Wave router.

[wpeeters 30]

See attached picture. I hope it's clear.

On the left, the current wiring. The 10V device is kind of valve opened / closed by the switch.

 

Goal: be aware of a status change of the switch on HCL in order to trigger a scene.

The UBS itself doesn't need to activate the output. I was thinking of connect the red wire of the 12V power supply to UBS P.

The blue wire after the switch to connect to IN1. But what with the ground? Can I intercept on the blue wire right before the switch and connect to GND?

 

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[petergebruers 1,268]

Crystal clear

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/emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)" srcset="https://forum.fibaro.com/uploads/emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />. Are you a bit of an electronics guy (i.e. do you have some transisors laying around)? Or alternatively, do you have a small 12 V Relay?

[petergebruers 1,268]

If you can go for the electronics route, here's the schematic diagram. You'll only need a universal NPN transistor and a 47k resistor.

 

Here's why. The inputs of the Universal Binary Sensor use a 1 k pull up resistor to an internal reference of plus minus 2,7 Volt. So you need a way to pull that input low (a switch, a relay or a transistor).

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[wpeeters 30]

I'm not that electronics guy but your diagram is very clear. An electric store can certainly help me in selecting a good 47K resistor and I certainly can solder the components if necessary.

So I'll go for this way. I'll still need to buy the UBS anyway.

 

Anyway, where do you buy your fibaro stuff? I order it at intellihome.be. But I don't receive that much of support from them and some answers does not sound that convincing.

Together with the UBS, I also would to buy one RGBW controller to experiment with for my gardening lights or some inhouse spots (since I noticed that both Aeon Labs RGBW Lamp and Zipabox RGBW LED Bulb are not compatible with Fibaro yet)  . I can see a lot of experiments with the ledstrips. But none with a regular lamp.

What lamps can you use in combination with the RGBW controller? Will this work 

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?

 

thanks a lot for your help. You already helped me before.

[petergebruers 1,268]

I can' give recommendations regarding stores, I have no objective criteria and I don't have a lot of experience.

The RGBW controller is a low voltage device that can either drive 4 independent 12 V halogen lamps, a 12 or 24 V RGB or RGBW strip, or can be used as 4 times 0-10V inputs. The manual can be downloaded from "support" on the global site, I recommend you to study it before purchase. I use one on a RGBW LED strip and one for sensors. It has nothing to do with RGB or RGBW bulbs.

I don't own a 230 V E14 or E27 solution, but I think you are correct that the true Z-Wave bulbs aren't fully supported. There is integration of Philips Hue but that's not Z-Wave. I don't have one, but you'll certainly find many post here to help you decide...

[wpeeters 30]

I finally got all components and wired them. Lucky me, I decided last minute to do a test setup. I noticed that my power supply is 12V AC instead of DC

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/emoticons/default_icon_sad.gif" alt=":-(" /> I hope I can find a solution for this. Any suggestion?

The test setup is working well via petergebebruers his input. The UBS is working well with the suggestion to use NPN transistor and resistor.

Thanks for this.

[petergebruers 1,268]

If it's 12 V AC then it was probably designed for halogen bulbs, or it's just a general purpose transformer. What current or power do you need? How many "VA" is this transformer?

In Belgium "Gotron" is a supplier of this stuff. This is a link to the industrial power supply section of their web site:

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They have IP65 sealed supplies too.

I pick one, for example: 50W - 12V / 4.2A = about 16 EUR VAT inc, exc transportation.

I can help you with selection of a device.

[petergebruers 1,268]

I've been thinking... if you can't change the power supply (because your load is 12 V AC only), it seems still possible with some extra components to interface the UBS to a 12 V AC supply (with button detection). I have a rough idea, and I need to build it in my lab (= garden shed). Let me know if this is what you need.

[wpeeters 30]

It's a general purpose transformer of 10VA. It's the powersupply for watersensors.

I'll try to change from AC to DC with a small din rail dc powersupply. As far as I can see, the sensors should work with DC as well.

So, I'll try that first.