Shade Motors School · Program It · 101

Which Somfy Wall Control Fits Your Motor: RTS, Zigbee, Wired or SDN

Name: Which Somfy Wall Control Fits Your Motor: RTS, Zigbee, Wired or SDN
Author: ShadeMotorsDirect

A Somfy wall control has to speak the same language as the motor behind it. Learn to match the control to the motor, then the RTS, Zigbee, wired and SDN wall options Somfy makes, and a quick way to pick.

5 modules
11 min
10-question quiz
Free certificate
Unlocks 10% off

10% OFF

Pass the quiz to unlock 10% off your first ShadeMotorsDirect order. Your code and certificate arrive by email from Shade Motors School.

You will be able to: Match a Somfy wall switch or keypad to the motor type and room.

Start the course

Line-voltage work. 120V motors, switches and wiring must be installed by a licensed electrician, with power off at the breaker. The course explains what to ask for and how to check it.

Inside this course

5 modules, one idea at a time

Match the motor firstWhy the motor decides the wall control. After this module you can name the right family of switch from the motor type.2 lessons · scenario check
RTS wall optionsThe no-wire choices for RTS motors. After this module you can put RTS control on any wall.2 lessons · scenario check
Zigbee wall optionsThe wall keypad Somfy makes for Zigbee motors. After this module you can add a wall control to a Zigbee room.2 lessons · scenario check
Wired and SDN optionsThe hard-wired controls for 4-wire, DCT and SDN motors. After this module you can match the switch on a wired job.3 lessons · scenario check
Pick in one minuteA quick path from motor to wall control, with the five part numbers in one table. After this module you can answer the question on the phone before you ever see the job.2 lessons · scenario check
Final quiz10 real job scenarios, one per screen, each with a hint if you need it. Score 80% to pass and get your certificate.

Pass = 10% off

Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off

Module 1 of 5

Match the motor first

Why the motor decides the wall control. After this module you can name the right family of switch from the motor type.

2 lessons, then a scenario check.

Match the motor first

Five motor types, five controls

RTS motors take an RTS switch. Zigbee motors take a Zigbee keypad. 4-wire motors take a wired switch. DCT motors take a dry contact switch. SDN motors take an SDN keypad.

On the jobRead the motor label before you order the switch.

Match the motor first

Mismatches do nothing

A radio switch will not run a wired motor, and a wired switch will not run a radio motor. The motor only answers its own control type.

Watch forA switch that does nothing on install day usually means the wrong family.

Check yourself

A client buys an RTS DecoFlex for a Zigbee shade. What happens?

Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off

Module 2 of 5

RTS wall options

The no-wire choices for RTS motors. After this module you can put RTS control on any wall.

2 lessons, then a scenario check.

RTS wall options

DecoFlex WireFree RTS

The DecoFlex WireFree RTS mounts with no wiring, in 1 to 5 channels. The 1-channel white is 1810897.

ExampleA bedroom wall gets a 1-channel beside the light switch.

Somfy DecoFlex 1 Channel RTS Wireless Wall Switch White (1810897) — DecoFlex 1-channel RTS (1810897)

RTS wall options

A remote on the wall

The Situo 5 RTS ships with a wall holder, so a handheld can live on the wall. A spare holder is the Situo II mounting bracket 9028048.

On the jobA wall holder gives the owner both: a fixed spot and a remote to carry.

Somfy Situo II RTS Mounting Bracket (9028048) — Situo II RTS mounting bracket (9028048)

Check yourself

An owner wants a wall control for an RTS shade but cannot run wires. What fits?

Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off

Module 3 of 5

Zigbee wall options

The wall keypad Somfy makes for Zigbee motors. After this module you can add a wall control to a Zigbee room.

2 lessons, then a scenario check.

Zigbee wall options

DecoFlex WireFree Zigbee

The DecoFlex WireFree Zigbee keypad (1871572) has 4 channels and a MY button, runs on two AAA batteries and comes as an in-wall or surface-mount option.

ExampleA family room with three Zigbee shades and one drapery takes the 4-channel keypad.

Somfy DecoFlex WireFree Zigbee 4-Channel In-Wall Keypad, White (1871572) — DecoFlex WireFree Zigbee 4-channel (1871572)

Zigbee wall options

One channel, one product or group

Each channel on the Zigbee keypad runs one Zigbee product or one group. Somfy lists it for Zigbee window coverings and Smart Plugs.

Watch forPick the in-wall or surface version before the drywall is closed.

Check yourself

A Zigbee room needs one wall control for four shades. Which part?

Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off

Module 4 of 5

Wired and SDN options

The hard-wired controls for 4-wire, DCT and SDN motors. After this module you can match the switch on a wired job.

3 lessons, then a scenario check.

Wired and SDN options

120V rocker for a 4-wire motor

Somfy's Maintained Rocker Switch Kit (1800342) is a 120V wired switch for single-channel control. It mounts in a single-gang box.

Watch forThis is 120V work. A licensed electrician wires it.

Somfy Maintained Rocker Switch Kit with Standard Plate (White) (1800342) — Maintained Rocker Switch Kit (1800342)

Wired and SDN options

Dry contact for DCT

Somfy lists the Dry Contact Open, Close, Stop wall switch (1800219) among its Glydea ULTRA DCT controls.

On the jobRun the low-voltage lead to the motor input, not to line voltage.

Somfy Dry Contact Open, Close, Stop Wall Switch (White) (1800219) — Dry Contact wall switch (1800219)

Wired and SDN options

SDN keypad

The DecoFlex SDN Keypad V2, 8-button (1871472) is a hard-wired SDN control. It talks to motors without a central controller and is set up in Set pro by Somfy.

ExampleA conference room on SDN gets a keypad at the door for its shade groups.

Somfy SDN V2 DecoFlex Digital Keypad, 8-Button White (1871472) — DecoFlex SDN Keypad V2 (1871472)

Check yourself

A wired 4-wire Sonesse needs a wall switch. Which Somfy part?

Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off

Module 5 of 5

Pick in one minute

A quick path from motor to wall control, with the five part numbers in one table. After this module you can answer the question on the phone before you ever see the job.

2 lessons, then a scenario check.

Pick in one minute

Ask two questions

First, what does the motor speak? Second, can you run a wire to the switch location? The answers point to one control.

On the jobAsk the client for a photo of the motor label before you quote.

Pick in one minute

The match table

Use this table on every quote.

Watch forMixed houses need more than one control family. Match room by room.

Check yourself

A house has RTS shades upstairs and SDN shades in the office. How many wall control families?

Final quiz

10 questions. Score 80% to pass.

Each question is a real job scenario, one per screen. Stuck? Tap the hint. You see the right answer and why right after you choose. Pass and you get a printable certificate.

10% OFF

Score 80% to unlock 10% off your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.

Question 1 of 10

On the job: You are quoting a wall control.

What decides the control family?

Question 2 of 10

On the job: An RTS switch is fitted to a Zigbee motor.

What happens?

Question 3 of 10

On the job: An RTS shade needs a wall control with no wiring.

Which part?

Question 4 of 10

On the job: An owner wants the Situo on the wall.

What is the spare holder?

Question 5 of 10

On the job: A Zigbee room needs four channels on the wall.

Which part?

Question 6 of 10

On the job: You fit the Zigbee keypad.

What powers it?

Question 7 of 10

On the job: A 4-wire 120V motor needs a switch.

Which part?

Question 8 of 10

On the job: A Glydea DCT track needs a wall switch.

Which part?

Question 9 of 10

On the job: An SDN office needs a keypad.

Which part?

Question 10 of 10

On the job: A house mixes RTS and Zigbee shades.

How do you pick wall controls?

Almost done

Where should we send your certificate?

Your score shows on the next screen. If you pass, your certificate and 10% code go to this email. They come from Shade Motors School (school@shademotorsdirect.com). Check Promotions, Updates or Spam if you don't see them.