Main Loxone switchboard

[Radek Dohnal]

Hi.

Can you share a photo of your swichtboard with Loxone system?

I have about 70 Loxone cables + 70 power cables. Now, Im thinking about the best type of terminals for all this cables and its position in switchboard - KRONE or multi-level or patch-panel.

Thank for help!

[Tom Cassimon]

Hi,

I've used Wago material. For the power cables i've used 2003-7646 and for the Loxone cables (cat 7) i've used 727-232 (4-level), the 8 level type is too large to fit decently in a power cabinet.

I don't have a picture, but it's al really nice and clean solution.

Regards,

Tom

[David]

Hi, I used wgo terminals for all inputs and outputs - not cheap but works well. 

Photos https://goo.gl/photos/TsqMEnavaEPVPv9RA

[Neil]

Hi Radek
I posted this previously on the Truly Smart forum and you may find it of use
https://www.trulysmart.co.uk/forum/wiring-installation/421-panel-wiring-regulations
Neil

On Thursday, 22 September 2016 07:00:03 UTC+1, Radek Dohnal wrote:

[Radek Dohnal]

Hi, thanks for your response.

What type of terminals (Phoenix Contact) did you used for power cables and for Loxone cables? It look likes multi level?

Btw Thanks, to show me new Loxone forum :-)

Dne sobota 24. září 2016 20:19:34 UTC+2 Neil napsal(a):

[Simon Still]

On Thursday, 22 September 2016 07:00:03 UTC+1, Radek Dohnal wrote:

See attached images.  I'm not particularly happy with the tidiness of the CAT6 terminations but I'd not done this before.  

I'm switching very little 230V and what I am is handled by secondary relays in the lower part of the cabinet (I'm not switching any 230v directly on Loxone extensions).  My lighting control is predominantly 1-10V control of LED drivers along with some DMX. 

Terminals at the top purchased from Loxone (I couldn't find the same cheaper elsewhere or any viable alternatives at that density).  The remainder of the DIN rail terminals are Wago.  

Obviously not completely finished when pictured - the final power supply has been added (coming off a UPS) so the bottom row has been tidied up a bit more. 

[Radek Dohnal]

Im agree with you about the price of multi level terminals. I also couldnt find any cheaper solution. Phoenix contact also produce similar type, but the price is higher ther original from Wago.

Dne pondělí 26. září 2016 14:36:49 UTC+2 Simon Still napsal(a):

[Neil]

Hi Radek / Simon

I have some photos of the terminal set up in my panel and I will post them in the next few days. I only used the Phoenix as they were very easy to buy in small quantities for RS and they are generally available next day. TBH I didn't fully appreciate how each one was constructed so I bought a few samples to familiarise myself then bought what I thought I needed.
The Weidermuller products from Loxone also seem great but I recall we have to buy big quantities (e.g. 20No) and it frightened me off from spending say £140 after some partner discount when I didn't fully understand what I needed. I ended up buying a few items for about £10, took a look at them then ordered a quantity to kick off my install.
I note Simon's comment on the challenge of how to get the Cat cables at the top of the panel to look orderly, however I think his install looks fine to my eye!!. I bought some 90 x 90 slotted trunking and added it to the top section of the Home Automation cabinet and this has helped in that regard. Just can't understand why HA don't fit this has standard. Other than that that I was very happy with the HA cabinet.
Will post some photos in the next day or so for what they will be worth to anyone.

Neil

[Seb]

Hi Neil, do you have the links or model numbers for the terminal blocks?

Also does anyone have a recommendation on the tri-rated cable needed in the cabinet and the different types needed for each use?

[Neil]

On Saturday, 1 October 2016 23:13:35 UTC+1, Seb wrote:

Hi Neil, do you have the links or model numbers for the terminal blocks?

Also does anyone have a recommendation on the tri-rated cable needed in the cabinet and the different types needed for each use?

Hi Seb / Radek
These are the photos with some explanation to the best of my ability. TBH I found it quite difficult to work out what I needed along with RS part Nos and the Phoenix Nos so thought my written notes may help. You will see the one photo shows a link "bridge" on the neutral connection. It's red in colour but I recall they were not available in blue. These bridges common together that terminal on each respective block which is useful for the neutral and earth connection.
 
This link is the whole Phoenix catalogue but is a big document and takes a bit of effort to find the ones we actually need!!
https://www.phoenixcontact.com/assets/downloads_ed/global/web_dwl_promotion/CAT_3_2015_EN_LoRes.pdf
Neil

[Neil]

These photos show the terminal blocks in a Home Automation cabinet. The din rail as fitted by HA is spaced off the back of the cabinet by some brackets but this will need to be reduced as the front of the 3 level connector block is tight against the cabinet cover / door. You just simply remove the brackets and replace with a spacer (I used a nut) to leave a smaller gap behind. The photo also shows the slotted trunking I fitted at the top of the cabinet in an effort to make the Cat cables look neater. I used some dymo tape to number the cables and some ferrules to number the wires. I found these useful for tracking any errors or simply checking what you have connected.
On the common connections like the 24v I connected two wires per connection so on the total of three levels of the block I was able to make twelve connections i'e 3 x 2 x 2 - hope this makes sense!!

One of the photos shows I have a mass of cables to deal with so it's the early part of my install!!  So excuse the mess!!

[Simon Still]

On Saturday, 1 October 2016 23:44:51 UTC+1, Neil wrote:

On Saturday, 1 October 2016 23:13:35 UTC+1, Seb wrote:

Hi Neil, do you have the links or model numbers for the terminal blocks?

Also does anyone have a recommendation on the tri-rated cable needed in the cabinet and the different types needed for each use

I have my surplus Tri Rated cable to sell on.  It made sense to buy full rolls rather than short lengths but I've got most of it left over.  

I used 0.5mm cable for most of the in-cabinet wiring (i've also got 1.5mm in red, black and yellow/green which I used for the power distribution).  Nothing from Loxone is carrying large currents in my set up so there was no point in using anything heavier guage.   

 

 

I used some dymo tape to number the cables and some ferrules to number the wires. I found these useful for tracking any errors or simply checking what you have connected. 

That makes it easier to trace than mine.  My CAT outers are labelled with marker but it's a pain to try to trace them in the cabinet.  Ferrules would have been a good investment.  

[Seb]

Hi Simon - do you still have the cable? I'm about to start wiring up my cabinet.

May seem like a stupid question, but does anyone know the best ferrule sizes for 1.5 and 0.5 wire and the AWG?

[NEON]

Hi all,

This topic is rather old, but I don't want to start a new one.

I would like to present our last work - the Loxone cabinet - all comments are welcome.

[Harry Phelps]

Looks lovely and neat.

I would make one comment (that was made about a cabinet I put together at home) about the miniserver, ideally you need to leave space so that you can replace the SD card easily.

[Tico]

Also, offered as constructive feedback, the power supply is recommended to have an air-gap of 20-25mm either side for passive cooling.

[NEON]

Hi Harry, Tico,

thanks for the feedback.

[...] ideally you need to leave space so that you can replace the SD card easily.

Indeed - this is a small fault.
When I was designing the cabinet (on the CAD software) - I didn't thought about it.
I learned about it, when I the cabinet was finished lying on the table due the pre-programming and I needed to replace the SD card.
The replace of the card is possible but could be simpler...

[...] the power supply is recommended to have an air-gap of 20-25mm either side for passive cooling.

Indeed - the recommendation is like You said. 
We had a little problem with space in this cabinet - because of the changes in the project when we already had all the materials.
In this cabinet the power need for all automation is ~0,5A. Our power supply is 1,3A.
The power supply will not be fully charged so the ventilation needs are smaller.

Ccabinet is the most important thing in the installation - we are trying to do our best. 

[NEON]

Few pictures from our last Loxone exercises.

Kind regards,

NEON

[NEON]

Few pictures from our last install...

On the pictures - the cabinet...
We pay most attention to the quality of our works.

Kind regards!
NEON

[Pippo74]

Wow! Compliments for the clean and straight-forward installation!

Just little courious about:

- I've noticed u've connected the AOs of the extensions to maybe some low-power relay boards (the ones I see with 8 blue relays?!?) 

- What about the 12 small white pieces u used there? Are they fuses for the 24V loads ?

- I also see 3 RGBW for maybe led stripes. How long are the cables to the strips and which cable did u used?

- I don't see any dimmer extensions, so all lights are 230V a/o 24V directly driven by the Relay contacts of the extensions?

[NEON]

Hi Pippo74,

thanks for kind words... we are doing (or trying) our best. 

About Your questions:
- indeed the AOs are controlling the low-power relay boards;
- the 12 "small pieces" are the fuses to protect the 24V loads;
- 3x RGBW dimmer are for the white LED stripes - the cables are max. 10m long and the diameter is 1,5mm2;
- exactly: all the 230V lighting are controlled 0/1, 24V lights are controlled by the RGBW dimmer;

Kind regards,
NEON

[Hidde Beumer]

Hi NEON,

 

- the 12 "small pieces" are the fuses to protect the 24V loads;

What product do you use for that?

[NEON]

Hi Hidde,

Loxone has (in the on-line shop) the Weidmuller: https://shop.loxone.com/enen/push-in-fused-terminal-block-25pcs.html
we are using similar blocks but from the Phoenix Contact.

Kind regards,
NEON

[Hidde Beumer]

HI NEON,

I'm not a big fan of Weidmuller, would you mind sharing the partnumber you use for Phoenix?

Also, do you mount these on the +24V only or also on the GND?

Hidde

Op dinsdag 25 juni 2019 10:42:32 UTC+2 schreef NEON:

[NEON]

Hi Hidde,

no problem - we are using the PT 6-FSI/C: https://www.phoenixcontact.com/online/portal/pl?uri=pxc-oc-itemdetail:pid=3212166&library=plpl&tab=1

We are using the fuses to protect only the GND.

Also a small (archive) article by Loxone: https://www.loxone.com/dede/reihenklemmen-verteilerbau/ 

Kind regards,
NEON

[SideWaysSunday]

HI NEON,

the work looks great.

Where did you get the cabinet? And is this doubling up as the main distribution board for the house aswell as the smart home hub.

Cheers

[NEON]

Hi SideWaysSunday,

the cabinet is Schrack Technik: https://www.schrack.com/

This is the second cabinet in the building, but we have a few receivers not controlled by the automation.

Kind regards!
NEON

[Pippo74]

Dear Neon,

What about the 4 relay boards driven by the AOs? Are these off the shelf products or custom made ?

Thanks!

[NEON]

Hi Pippo74,

sorry for the delay.

The boards are shelf product: https://www.walmart.com/ip/5V-10A-Relay-Module-Board-with-LED-8-Channel-EL817-Optocoupler/980065319

but we made there some tweaks (but they are not necessary - You can use it just out the box).

For the future we are considering made our board.

Kind regards,
NEON