Hello everybody,
A lot has been added since our last update for Q2/2024. We would like to give you a brief overview of all the new, big and small functions that have been added recently.
230V terminal blocks: Assignment of bus systems now possible
Until now, DALI bus systems could only be assigned to 230V terminal blocks if a KNX DALI controller was present in the project. With other bus systems, such as Loxone, it was only possible to work with general contacts, which reached its limits with more complex DALI installations. It is now possible to create DALI as an “Additional (2-wire) bus system”. The wires of the bus system can now be selected when assigning the terminal blocks. This enables the bus system to be routed to the terminal blocks and auxiliary contacts of protection devices.
You can see how this can be applied in practice in the video with Torben Ledermann:
Standalone DALI lighting in the wiring diagram – simply draw DALI systems
Complex KNX-DALI control in the wiring diagram – Integrate 230V relays and dimmers
New export: label printing
Lots of you use label printers for labelling switch cabinets. We added dedicated exports for item designations to fill the print tools with data faster:
- *.csv files for import functions
- An Excel export that enables faster copy/paste (in our opinion usually more intuitive than the *.csv import)
Let us know if you use this function regularly! We are considering an extension to offer import configurations for the most common tools.
New terminal numbering: “1 digit per L/L terminal”
So far, we have labelled each terminal with its own number. Two numbers have been assigned for L/L terminals, which can be placed at the top/centre of the terminal block.
Some of you place the digits consecutively only on the centre digit holder, which means that L/L terminals only get one digit.
To address this, we have added a new mode for terminal numbering under the “General” tab.
This then leads to the following visualisation:
Revised Loxone templates
Our Loxone templates have been expanded: Alongside the addition of newer DIN-rail devices (e.g. Miniserver Compact or Audio Server), the settings for the HP are now also correctly maintained to make it quicker and easier to use the devices in the layout plan.
Improvements in the integration of the Gira GPLA
There are some improvements in the creation of wiring diagrams from Gira GPLA projects:
- The Gira Weather Station Standard and Weather Station Plus are now included in the wiring diagram. For the standard version, the associated DIN-rail device is planned with the contacts to the weather station. For Weather Station Plus, a separate KNX branch including auxiliary voltage from the power supply unit was added.
- Even if DIN 18015 is not mandatory, more and more electricians are following the guideline of planning only 6 protection devices per RCD. Until now we have provided one RCD per floor, but from now on additional RCDs will be added if more than 6 protection device circuits are required.
The protection devices can still be reorganised or reduced as required after generation – but we find that deleting is quicker than creating new ones so we have adjusted the standard. - The GPLA remembers that certain socket types (e.g. hob, oven, microwave) are designed for special functions. This information is then transferred to the cable designation in the wiring diagram so that the required function of the protection device circuit can be identified more quickly.
“Other DIN-rail devices” now 3-phase connectable
The connection can now be configured for “Other DIN-rail devices“, including a new 3-phase connection option.
This makes it possible to easily add NA protection. The device is connected 3-phase downstream of the back-up safety device, and two switching contacts can be added in the individual channel configuration to control contactors or inverters.
More news
We have written articles on some of the new features, which we will link to here:
- Switchable potential-free contacts
- Expansion of export to include additional protection device and line overviews
- The company behind stomlaufplan.de: entrepreneurial company becomes tecease GmbH
- New video series: Lighting planning
Other minor improvements
- It is now possible to select the phase position for meters (similar to protection devices).
- The polarity of the power supply assignment to the KNX outgoing line has been corrected: (+) to the yellow wire, (-) to the white wire. This only applies to new plans; for older plans, the 3rd/4th wire must be deactivated once and reactivated.
- The size of the feed terminal can now be adjusted in the layout plan.
- The planning view now utilises more space on large monitors
- Symbols for NC contacts and safety fuses have been brought into line with the DIN standard.
