Tactile sensor

Smart, individual, simple, extravagant, futuristic - touch sensors, also known as KNX buttons, like to attract admiring glances and their modern design alone suggests to every user that this is more than a conventional light switch. Rockers, glowing LEDs, small symbols or even LCD displays give an idea of the numerous functions hidden behind many an installation. In addition, there is often a very noble selection of materials such as high-quality metal, acrylic or glass, which always exudes a touch of extravagance. But why are multifunctional touch sensors needed and how do you use their potential optimally? We give you a brief insight here.

The basics in a nutshell

  • Touch sensors are multifunctional control elements for the smart home.
  • The design and function selection is huge, from a single button to a control center with 12 or more buttons, everything is possible.
  • You can use it to control, for example, the light, its dimming, blinds, heating, entertainment center, door opener and all other devices in your home network.
  • The button functions can be assigned individually and can be easily reprogrammed if necessary.
  • Integrated LEDs or other displays often show the respective operating status or provide information about errors.

 

 

eibabo - technology store

 

What is a touch sensor or a KNX button?

You can operate the end devices integrated in your smart home network with a touch sensor or a KNX button. This can be blinds that you can raise and lower - light that you dim - the heating that you regulate or completely individual, user-defined scenarios. Depending on the model, operation is optically individual. In general, it is operated using a different number of buttons or rocker switches and/or even displays.

The different types of KNX buttons

Using a KNX universal button interface, you can basically turn any conventional button into a KNX button. These interfaces are installed in a deep device box behind the standard button and thus take on the task of the binary input, which converts the classic switching processes into KNX signals.

Which doses are suitable?

To do this, use a branch switch box with 4 screw domes or a deep switch box or an electronics box. Use our eibabo® search to quickly find the right item.


This solution is particularly suitable for the standard application 'basic lighting' per room (see: 'What are standard applications?') or for the modernization of existing installations as well as for inexpensive and functionally manageable system extensions.

'Real' KNX tactile sensors are much more complex and range up to control elements with elegant touch displays. Temperature sensors, LED displays and background lighting are often already combined in one device. In contrast to the simple interface variant, there is often the option of providing each key with additional functions, which are then triggered, for example, by a long press, double-click or even triple-click.

 


TIP:

We recommend planning well in advance so that you can later fit all the functions you need into your keypad.


 

While some KNX push-button sensors require a separate bus coupler to which they are plugged, the bus coupler is already integrated in others. The eibabo® technology store also has both complete KNX pushbuttons and pushbutton sensor modules. The latter is 'only' about the technology and you can choose a matching design cover yourself. The possibilities are diverse - you can choose exactly what suits your project.

The advantages and disadvantages of tactile sensors

The central control of a large number of actions on different end devices is certainly the greatest advantage. The plus in comfort is combined with the flexible options for changing and expanding a well-planned setup. The disadvantage is certainly the slightly higher acquisition costs of a smart home solution compared to a conventional electrical installation. In the case of units with many keys and each assignment with different control variables (print, double-click), the overview of all the functions and their control can easily be lost.

Unusual application examples in everyday life

We have already mentioned a few classic use cases. In the course of our more than 25 years of work, we have also been able to implement 'very special' projects. It starts with the smart opening and locking of the cat flap in the basement, continues with the choreographed lighting of exterior facades and doesn't end with the automatic pool cover, the fully automated aquarium or the heated driveway in winter.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

You want to know more? We answer frequently asked questions.

Nobody knows everything and sometimes there are small ambiguities that prevent us from correctly grasping connections or from deciding on one or the other product. You may also find an answer to your question in the following topics.

How are the KNX devices programmed?

Many interested parties are quickly startled by the term 'programming', but it's not that difficult at all, because it's not actually programmed with the 'ETS', but assignments and parameterizations are carried out.

What does ETS mean for KNX?

The term ETS (Engineering Tool Software) means that it is programming software for commissioning the KNX devices. The tool is more of a software for parameterization and basically also suitable for laypersons with an interest in the logic of the KNX.


No programming knowledge or programming language is required. If you are interested in the rather simple logical connections of the KNX bus, you are in a position to create a project. Of course, more complex projects require a certain amount of experience. We always recommend having the basic project created by an experienced system integrator. This allows you to easily change important parameters yourself later on, since many things change in the life cycle.

Which touch sensor or KNX button should I buy?

Well, we can't give a general answer to this question, but we can perhaps provide some impetus for decision-making. KNX push button sensors are available in a variety of designs. The manufacturers offer solutions for every taste. However, you should not only be guided by the optics. In addition to the optics, eibabo® also recommends checking the applications (parameters and functions) provided by the manufacturer for the ETS (Engineering Tool Software). Significant deficits can open up here in the course of a project if the beautiful button were not able to control the necessary actions correctly. Plan exactly which requirements you place on the respective push button sensor and then select a suitable model accordingly.

 


NOTE:

ETS is standardized software for commissioning the KNX devices and can be obtained from www.knx.org.


 

With regard to the design, you should also rely on optics that have a positive effect in the long term and not follow every short-term trend, only to realize a few years later that the brightly colored displays and the LEDs for various status messages on the buttons in the wall were a bit too much of a good thing. It makes sense to ensure that displays can be dimmed or configured in different brightness levels and status LEDs can be configured and switched off. A timeless surface design, for example, has simple elegance, looks classy, is durable and has no playful rockers that could quickly gather dust.

How do I recognize whether a touch sensor already has a bus connection?

Some touch sensors already have a bus connection. If you're not sure, a look at the back will clarify.

eibabo®, KNX push button sensor - Jung 4047TSM for Smart HomeImage: KNX push button sensor - Jung 4047TSM

A touch sensor is equipped with a bus coupling if it has a black and red (or gray and red) terminal for the bus on its back. This 4-wire terminal with plug-in terminal connection serves as a distributor for up to four KNX lines.

How do I keep track of the individual functions of complex touch sensors?

We would like to encourage you to think: Imagine you come into a room and have to press the small second rocker from the top left on an 8-way pushbutton sensor every day to switch on the basic lighting. It can quickly happen that you accidentally set the pressure point on the adjacent rocker and unfortunately operate the blinds at 11:00 p.m. Not to mention how a guest or child is supposed to cope with it.

So it can indeed be a bit difficult to always steer correctly. But: The advantages of the KNX lie in the intelligence of the system, which is implemented by the system integrator based on their experience and your functional requirements. For this reason, you should arrange functions logically or thematically and, if necessary, group them on easy-to-use buttons. If necessary, it is advisable to divide standard applications and detailed circuits into different buttons at different mounting heights.

What are default applications? What is the best way to implement this into the system?

The first switch box is usually placed on the 1.05m upper edge of the finished floor. At this point you should mount a conventional double button and connect it twice to the bus via a very inexpensive KNX button interface. Of course, you can also mount 2 or 3 double buttons and integrate a 4-way or 6-way KNX button interface. A deep switch box or electronics box is installed as a flush-mounted box in order to be able to place the small button interface behind the double button.

Here you save!

Combine a KNX button interface with a conventional double button.


With the conventional double button, you have more choice in the design of the switch range and, in the event of defects or design changes, you can obtain a lifetime replacement without having to reprogram. You can assign the most important and most frequently used basic lighting to this button or parameterize the button or the button interface with light scene recall. A beautiful flat switch is also very easy to use for guests and children.

What is meant by detailed switching on the KNX button?

You should mount detailed circuits of the certainly many functions in a room on the 1.60m upper edge of the finished floor and call them up from a room controller or multiple push-button sensor with an optionally integrated room temperature controller (see also our multiple control unit catalogue). A room temperature controller already requires this mounting height for optimal control. At this user-friendly height, you can then carry out all additional controls for additional lighting, blinds, roller shutters, entertainment, etc.

Touch sensors wear out very quickly! Is that correct?

Like all other technical components that are used more or less every day, tactile sensors and control points in general are subject to a certain amount of wear and tear. However, this is no different than with conventional buttons or switches. It is possible that individual parts that have been in use for a decade are then worn out.

Does it make sense to control the heating using touch sensors?

Definitely, as a rule, individual room heating controls are also required for KNX installations. In terms of value for money, the combined buttons with room temperature controllers are the best choice, also in terms of user-friendliness.

Which manufacturer offers the most beautiful and best KNX buttons?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we won't take a position on that. In terms of quality, however, all brands perform very well. There is no such thing as the 'best' touch sensor. Each manufacturer has its individual strengths in terms of applications (parameters and functions). eibabo® offers switches from all brand manufacturers (from ABB, Berker, Busch-Jaeger, Gira, Hager, Jung, MDT, Merten to Siemens). Select KNX push-button sensors in the following versions: KNX push-button sensor, KNX sensor unit, KNX wall sensor, KNX room control unit, KNX push-button sensor module, KNX push-button sensor extension module, KNX push-button 1-fold, KNX push-button 2-fold, KNX push-button 4-fold, KNX push-button 5-way, 6-way KNX button, 8-way KNX button, KNX control panel, KNX button with bus coupler, KNX button module, KNX touch sensor, KNX button sensor plus, KNX glass button.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

Catalogue content:


In this eibabo® catalogue Installation bus systems > Touch sensor for bus system you will find items from the following product groups:

Item overview:

  • Adapter frame
  • Building control
  • Bus coupler
  • Bus technology
  • Button coupler
  • Cabel Canal
  • Color display
  • Contactless
  • Control element
  • Glass button
  • Glass sensor
  • Group button bus coupler
  • Light scene touch sensors
  • Nickel metallic
  • Outdoor area
  • Pendulum fan
  • Receiving sensor
  • Remote control
  • Removable fan
  • Shutter button
  • Single rocker
  • Splash proof
  • Tactile sensors
  • Temperature sensor
  • Title block
  • Touch sensor
  • Wireless pushbutton
  • Wireless solution


from the following manufacturers:

Manufacturer overview catalogue Tactile sensor:

  • ABB
  • AVM Computersysteme
  • Berker
  • bticino
  • Busch Jaeger
  • Eaton
  • Elsner
  • ESYLUX
  • Gira
  • Hager
  • Issendorff
  • Jung
  • Lingg & Janke
  • Maico
  • MDT
  • Merten
  • Ropag
  • Siemens
  • Theben


 
Smart, individual, simple, extravagant, futuristic - touch sensors, also known as KNX buttons, like to attract admiring glances and their modern design alone suggests to every user that this is... read more »
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Touch sensor - Intuitive operation for your smart home

Smart, individual, simple, extravagant, futuristic - touch sensors, also known as KNX buttons, like to attract admiring glances and their modern design alone suggests to every user that this is more than a conventional light switch. Rockers, glowing LEDs, small symbols or even LCD displays give an idea of the numerous functions hidden behind many an installation. In addition, there is often a very noble selection of materials such as high-quality metal, acrylic or glass, which always exudes a touch of extravagance. But why are multifunctional touch sensors needed and how do you use their potential optimally? We give you a brief insight here.

The basics in a nutshell

  • Touch sensors are multifunctional control elements for the smart home.
  • The design and function selection is huge, from a single button to a control center with 12 or more buttons, everything is possible.
  • You can use it to control, for example, the light, its dimming, blinds, heating, entertainment center, door opener and all other devices in your home network.
  • The button functions can be assigned individually and can be easily reprogrammed if necessary.
  • Integrated LEDs or other displays often show the respective operating status or provide information about errors.

 

 

eibabo - technology store

 

What is a touch sensor or a KNX button?

You can operate the end devices integrated in your smart home network with a touch sensor or a KNX button. This can be blinds that you can raise and lower - light that you dim - the heating that you regulate or completely individual, user-defined scenarios. Depending on the model, operation is optically individual. In general, it is operated using a different number of buttons or rocker switches and/or even displays.

The different types of KNX buttons

Using a KNX universal button interface, you can basically turn any conventional button into a KNX button. These interfaces are installed in a deep device box behind the standard button and thus take on the task of the binary input, which converts the classic switching processes into KNX signals.

Which doses are suitable?

To do this, use a branch switch box with 4 screw domes or a deep switch box or an electronics box. Use our eibabo® search to quickly find the right item.


This solution is particularly suitable for the standard application 'basic lighting' per room (see: 'What are standard applications?') or for the modernization of existing installations as well as for inexpensive and functionally manageable system extensions.

'Real' KNX tactile sensors are much more complex and range up to control elements with elegant touch displays. Temperature sensors, LED displays and background lighting are often already combined in one device. In contrast to the simple interface variant, there is often the option of providing each key with additional functions, which are then triggered, for example, by a long press, double-click or even triple-click.

 


TIP:

We recommend planning well in advance so that you can later fit all the functions you need into your keypad.


 

While some KNX push-button sensors require a separate bus coupler to which they are plugged, the bus coupler is already integrated in others. The eibabo® technology store also has both complete KNX pushbuttons and pushbutton sensor modules. The latter is 'only' about the technology and you can choose a matching design cover yourself. The possibilities are diverse - you can choose exactly what suits your project.

The advantages and disadvantages of tactile sensors

The central control of a large number of actions on different end devices is certainly the greatest advantage. The plus in comfort is combined with the flexible options for changing and expanding a well-planned setup. The disadvantage is certainly the slightly higher acquisition costs of a smart home solution compared to a conventional electrical installation. In the case of units with many keys and each assignment with different control variables (print, double-click), the overview of all the functions and their control can easily be lost.

Unusual application examples in everyday life

We have already mentioned a few classic use cases. In the course of our more than 25 years of work, we have also been able to implement 'very special' projects. It starts with the smart opening and locking of the cat flap in the basement, continues with the choreographed lighting of exterior facades and doesn't end with the automatic pool cover, the fully automated aquarium or the heated driveway in winter.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

You want to know more? We answer frequently asked questions.

Nobody knows everything and sometimes there are small ambiguities that prevent us from correctly grasping connections or from deciding on one or the other product. You may also find an answer to your question in the following topics.

How are the KNX devices programmed?

Many interested parties are quickly startled by the term 'programming', but it's not that difficult at all, because it's not actually programmed with the 'ETS', but assignments and parameterizations are carried out.

What does ETS mean for KNX?

The term ETS (Engineering Tool Software) means that it is programming software for commissioning the KNX devices. The tool is more of a software for parameterization and basically also suitable for laypersons with an interest in the logic of the KNX.


No programming knowledge or programming language is required. If you are interested in the rather simple logical connections of the KNX bus, you are in a position to create a project. Of course, more complex projects require a certain amount of experience. We always recommend having the basic project created by an experienced system integrator. This allows you to easily change important parameters yourself later on, since many things change in the life cycle.

Which touch sensor or KNX button should I buy?

Well, we can't give a general answer to this question, but we can perhaps provide some impetus for decision-making. KNX push button sensors are available in a variety of designs. The manufacturers offer solutions for every taste. However, you should not only be guided by the optics. In addition to the optics, eibabo® also recommends checking the applications (parameters and functions) provided by the manufacturer for the ETS (Engineering Tool Software). Significant deficits can open up here in the course of a project if the beautiful button were not able to control the necessary actions correctly. Plan exactly which requirements you place on the respective push button sensor and then select a suitable model accordingly.

 


NOTE:

ETS is standardized software for commissioning the KNX devices and can be obtained from www.knx.org.


 

With regard to the design, you should also rely on optics that have a positive effect in the long term and not follow every short-term trend, only to realize a few years later that the brightly colored displays and the LEDs for various status messages on the buttons in the wall were a bit too much of a good thing. It makes sense to ensure that displays can be dimmed or configured in different brightness levels and status LEDs can be configured and switched off. A timeless surface design, for example, has simple elegance, looks classy, is durable and has no playful rockers that could quickly gather dust.

How do I recognize whether a touch sensor already has a bus connection?

Some touch sensors already have a bus connection. If you're not sure, a look at the back will clarify.

eibabo®, KNX push button sensor - Jung 4047TSM for Smart HomeImage: KNX push button sensor - Jung 4047TSM

A touch sensor is equipped with a bus coupling if it has a black and red (or gray and red) terminal for the bus on its back. This 4-wire terminal with plug-in terminal connection serves as a distributor for up to four KNX lines.

How do I keep track of the individual functions of complex touch sensors?

We would like to encourage you to think: Imagine you come into a room and have to press the small second rocker from the top left on an 8-way pushbutton sensor every day to switch on the basic lighting. It can quickly happen that you accidentally set the pressure point on the adjacent rocker and unfortunately operate the blinds at 11:00 p.m. Not to mention how a guest or child is supposed to cope with it.

So it can indeed be a bit difficult to always steer correctly. But: The advantages of the KNX lie in the intelligence of the system, which is implemented by the system integrator based on their experience and your functional requirements. For this reason, you should arrange functions logically or thematically and, if necessary, group them on easy-to-use buttons. If necessary, it is advisable to divide standard applications and detailed circuits into different buttons at different mounting heights.

What are default applications? What is the best way to implement this into the system?

The first switch box is usually placed on the 1.05m upper edge of the finished floor. At this point you should mount a conventional double button and connect it twice to the bus via a very inexpensive KNX button interface. Of course, you can also mount 2 or 3 double buttons and integrate a 4-way or 6-way KNX button interface. A deep switch box or electronics box is installed as a flush-mounted box in order to be able to place the small button interface behind the double button.

Here you save!

Combine a KNX button interface with a conventional double button.


With the conventional double button, you have more choice in the design of the switch range and, in the event of defects or design changes, you can obtain a lifetime replacement without having to reprogram. You can assign the most important and most frequently used basic lighting to this button or parameterize the button or the button interface with light scene recall. A beautiful flat switch is also very easy to use for guests and children.

What is meant by detailed switching on the KNX button?

You should mount detailed circuits of the certainly many functions in a room on the 1.60m upper edge of the finished floor and call them up from a room controller or multiple push-button sensor with an optionally integrated room temperature controller (see also our multiple control unit catalogue). A room temperature controller already requires this mounting height for optimal control. At this user-friendly height, you can then carry out all additional controls for additional lighting, blinds, roller shutters, entertainment, etc.

Touch sensors wear out very quickly! Is that correct?

Like all other technical components that are used more or less every day, tactile sensors and control points in general are subject to a certain amount of wear and tear. However, this is no different than with conventional buttons or switches. It is possible that individual parts that have been in use for a decade are then worn out.

Does it make sense to control the heating using touch sensors?

Definitely, as a rule, individual room heating controls are also required for KNX installations. In terms of value for money, the combined buttons with room temperature controllers are the best choice, also in terms of user-friendliness.

Which manufacturer offers the most beautiful and best KNX buttons?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we won't take a position on that. In terms of quality, however, all brands perform very well. There is no such thing as the 'best' touch sensor. Each manufacturer has its individual strengths in terms of applications (parameters and functions). eibabo® offers switches from all brand manufacturers (from ABB, Berker, Busch-Jaeger, Gira, Hager, Jung, MDT, Merten to Siemens). Select KNX push-button sensors in the following versions: KNX push-button sensor, KNX sensor unit, KNX wall sensor, KNX room control unit, KNX push-button sensor module, KNX push-button sensor extension module, KNX push-button 1-fold, KNX push-button 2-fold, KNX push-button 4-fold, KNX push-button 5-way, 6-way KNX button, 8-way KNX button, KNX control panel, KNX button with bus coupler, KNX button module, KNX touch sensor, KNX button sensor plus, KNX glass button.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

Catalogue content:


In this eibabo® catalogue Installation bus systems > Touch sensor for bus system you will find items from the following product groups:

Item overview:

  • Adapter frame
  • Building control
  • Bus coupler
  • Bus technology
  • Button coupler
  • Cabel Canal
  • Color display
  • Contactless
  • Control element
  • Glass button
  • Glass sensor
  • Group button bus coupler
  • Light scene touch sensors
  • Nickel metallic
  • Outdoor area
  • Pendulum fan
  • Receiving sensor
  • Remote control
  • Removable fan
  • Shutter button
  • Single rocker
  • Splash proof
  • Tactile sensors
  • Temperature sensor
  • Title block
  • Touch sensor
  • Wireless pushbutton
  • Wireless solution


from the following manufacturers:

Manufacturer overview catalogue Tactile sensor:

  • ABB
  • AVM Computersysteme
  • Berker
  • bticino
  • Busch Jaeger
  • Eaton
  • Elsner
  • ESYLUX
  • Gira
  • Hager
  • Issendorff
  • Jung
  • Lingg & Janke
  • Maico
  • MDT
  • Merten
  • Ropag
  • Siemens
  • Theben
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Jung - LS 5094 TSM - KNX push button module Universal, 4-fold LS 5094 TSM
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KNX push button module Universal, 4-fold
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MDT - BE-GT04W.01 - KNX glass push button 4gang plus, white BE-GT04W.01
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Jung - LS 5093 TSM - KNX push button module Universal, 3-fold LS 5093 TSM
$146.58 excl. VAT

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KNX push button module Universal, 3-fold
Jung
| LS 5093 TSM
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Gira - 513300 - KNX push button sensor 3 comfort 3-fold 513300
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Jung - LS 5092 TSM - KNX push button module universal, 2-fold LS 5092 TSM
$135.49 excl. VAT

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Gira - 2034112 - KNX push button sensor 3 comfort 4-fold, pure white 2034112
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Gira - 514200 - KNX push button sensor 3 Plus 2-fold 514200
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KNX push button sensor 3 Plus 2-fold
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MDT - BE-GT04S.01 - KNX glass push button 4gang plus, black BE-GT04S.01
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KNX glass push button 4gang plus, black
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