What is KNX?

The three letters “KNX” stands for:

…………………………………….

However….
● KNX is a bus system
● KNX is a world standard
● KNX brings building functions together
● KNX offers flexibility, safety, comfort and cost efficiency
Which components does the KNX-system
consist of?

● System components
– Components to build the communicating
network, e.g. power supply
● Sensors
– Receives an external command
– Transform it to KNX-information
– Sends the information as telegram on the bus
● Actuators
– Receives telegram from the bus
– Processes the information
– Execute the function
 KNX – base components
Sensors

● Pushbuttons, thermostats, analogue

and digital inputs, timers, sensors for
wind, rain, light, heating, motion etc.

● Function => Sensors record

information like a simple switching or
environmental condition that is
transmitted to the bus in the form of a
data telegram.

-
KNX – base components
Actuators

● Switch actuators, dimming actuators,

blind actuators, heating actuators,
visualisation

● Function => Actuators receive data

telegrams and convert these into e.g.
switching/dimming signals or even
visualise states.
 Example of connection within a bus line

Bus cable

Push-button Push-button with room Binary input Valve drive

temperature controller

Power supply Switch actuator Dimmer actuator Shutter actuator

Topology within one bus line
• Free topology (mix of line,
tree and star, but no loop)
• max. 64 bus devices
• max. 1000 m bus cable
• max. 350 m between
16A
power supply and device
L1
16A
• min. 200 m between two
L2 power supplies
16A
L3

N
PE
Bus cable installation (twisted pair, TP)
Free topology

● The topologies line, star and tree can be combined

● Rings have to be avoided
● KNX does not require terminating resistors

Line

Star

Tree
Bus cable

● Data transfer and power supply via 2 twisted wires (red/black)

● Spare pair (yellow/white), usable for example for extra power supply or
cable breakdown supervision
● Installation together with 230/400 V permitted
● Schneider Electric strongly recommends using an KNX/EIB-certified bus
cable, for example:
Type Structure Cabling
YCYM KNXA guideline (Basis: DIN VDE 0207 and Fixed cabling: in dry, damp and wet rooms,
2 x 2 x 0.8 0815) for surface mounting, flush mounting, in
Cores: red (+EIB) pipes. Outdoors, if protected from direct
black (-EIB) sunlight.
yellow (free)
white (free)
J-Y (St) Y DIN VDE 0815 Fixed cabling: in dry and damp operating
2 x 2 x 0.8 Cores: red (+EIB) areas, surface mounting, flush mounting, in
EIB version black (-EIB) pipes outdoors, in and beneath plaster.
yellow (free)
white (free)
Bus connection terminal/
Spare pair branch terminal

Red/Black
● Supplied with almost all bus devices
● Disconnection of device without breaking the bus line
● 4 plug-in terminals per wire
● Can be used for branch off in a conjunction box

Yellow/White
● Branch terminal for the spare pair
● 4 plug-in terminals per wire
 KNX topology
Twisted pair only
230V 8.

Area 3...15 9. x.0.0

1. 1 Line = up to 64 devices
Area 2 6. 2.0.0
2. > 64 devices => New Line
3. Connect 2 Lines = Line couplers Area 1 1.0.0

4. Main line of the Area 4. 7.

230V
5. 1 Area = up to 15 Lines
6. > 15 Lines => New Area 1.1.0 1.2.0 1.15.0
3.
7. Connect 2 Areas = Area couplers
1. 2. 5.
8. Area Line (Backbone) 230V 230V
1.1.1 1.2.1

9. Up to 15 Areas
1.1.2 1.2.2

1.1.3 1.2.3

1.1.4 1.2.4

1.1.x 1.2.x

1.1.64 1.2.64

Menu 32
 KNX topology
Twisted pair and Ethernet backbone

8. Switch/Router

1. 1 Line = up to 64 devices Area 3...15

2. > 64 devices => New Line Area 2 6. 2.0.0

3. Connect 2 Lines = Line couplers

Area 1 1.0.0
4. Main line of the Area
4. 7.
5. 1 Area = up to 15 Lines
230V
6. > 15 Lines => New Area
1.1.0 1.2.0 1.15.0
7. Connect 2 Areas = KNX/IP router 3.
Replaces Area Couplers
1. 2. 5.
8. Area Line (Ethernet backbone)
230V 230V
1.1.1 1.2.1
9. Up to 15 Areas
1.1.2 1.2.2

1.1.3 1.2.3

1.1.4 1.2.4

1.1.x 1.2.x

1.1.64 1.2.64
Individual address

● Each KNX-device receives a unique address

in the system via parameterization (ETS)
● The individual address provides the device
with a name, i.e. a number
● It is divided into Area, Line and Device
number: _ _ . _ _ . _ _ _
● Example:
Area Line Device

1.1.15

● The KNX device must be labelled with the

individual address when it has been
programmed by ETS
● The individual address is used for
programming and service
Configuration steps
In the ETS

● Insertion of products in the project

● Assignment of individual addresses
(physical addresses) to the different
devices (for the unique identification of a
sensor or actuator in a KNX installation);
● Selection and setting (parameterization)
of the appropriate application software
for sensors and actuators
● Assignment of group addresses (for
linking the functions of sensors and
actuators).
● Download of the settings into the devices

Parameter settings of Switch actuator 4-gang with

current detection
Bus access and data exchange

● KNX is a decentralized and event-controlled

bus system, i.e. no central unit, and the bus
is idle (free) if nothing happens or changes
● All connected bus devices can exchange
data between each other, packed into
telegrams and sent over the bus (serial
transmission of “1” and “0”), e.g. from a
sensor (the command output) to one or more
actuators (the command receiver).
● CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access /
Collision Avoidance) is used for bus access
and collision handling
● Transmission rate: 9600 bit/s
● Average transmission time for sending and
confirmation of a telegram is approx. 25 ms
Menu 41
Practical example
Physical connections - cable

1.1.2
1.1.1

Lamp 1

Lamp 2

Lamp 3

Lamp 4