The fully networked, intelligent “e-home” is by no means the standard. An online survey conducted by elero has confirmed the trend: Only 22 per cent of the respondents would like to see a completely high-tech apartment. Nearly twice as many of the respondents would like to see more technology used in certain areas. Thus, for example, it is comfortable if roller shutters or venetian blinds can be lowered at the push of a button on an evening – and if the lighting can be turned off and the alarm system activated using the same control. It is already possible to combine these three applications in just a few steps.

1. Motorising roller shutters
To this end, the roller shutters first have to be motorised with radio-controlled drives. The advantage of radio technology lies in the fact that very few cables have to be laid: The installer does not have to lay any control cables between the drive and the wall-mounted switch – a major improvement that is noticeable above all when retrofitting existing roller shutters. A further benefit: With the wireless technology it is not only possible to control the roller shutters using a wall-mounted transmitter but also with a hand-held transmitter.

2. Use of a special radio receiver
So that the controls can then do more than simply operate sun protection systems, it is necessary to use a special accessory from elero: The Revio-868. This small radio receiver is installed together with a wall-mounted transmitter. Thanks to this, not only roller shutters but also sources of light can be controlled. A further version of this device, the Revio-868 P, can transfer signals to alarm systems. Both devices are installed in flush-mounted sockets and can be networked with lighting and alarm systems.

3. Programming the hand-held transmitter
In a multi-channel hand-held transmitter such as the VarioTel Plus the installer now programs the individual applications – roller shutters, lighting and alarm system each on their own channel. All the applications can now be controlled from the same hand-held transmitter when the channel is changed using the “Select” button. In this manner a small building technology system is created in just a few steps, allowing the most important applications to be controlled centrally at the push of a button.