Module 1 of 5
Four heads, four brackets
The four Somfy head types you will meet in this course. After this module you can name a head on sight and know it needs its own bracket.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Pick the Motor · 201
Star, Round, Square or CMO: Match the Bracket to the Somfy Motor Head
A Somfy motor bracket has to match the motor head, and the head is not in the model code. Learn the four head types, where Somfy lists the head for each part, and which brackets and adapter plates fit.
You will be able to: Identify a Somfy motor head and order a bracket or adapter plate that holds it.
Inside this course
5 modules, one idea at a time
- Four heads, four bracketsThe four Somfy head types you will meet in this course. After this module you can name a head on sight and know it needs its own bracket.3 lessons · scenario check
- The code does not tell youWhy torque and model code say nothing about the head. After this module you will read the head from the spec sheet every time.3 lessons · scenario check
- Star and round bracketsThe brackets that hold the most common heads. After this module you can pick a star-head bracket or a round-head bracket set with confidence.2 lessons · scenario check
- CMO headsThe crank-override head and the brackets made for it. After this module you will never send a star bracket to a CMO job.3 lessons · scenario check
- Another brand of bracketHow to put a Somfy motor into brackets made by another shade maker. After this module you can quote a motor swap without rebuilding the headrail.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.
Four heads, four brackets
Star, round, square and CMO
Somfy lists a head type for every motor. In this course you will meet star, round, square and CMO heads. Each one takes a bracket made for that head.
On the jobPhotograph the old motor head before you order. The shape answers the bracket question.
Four heads, four brackets
A star head
Somfy lists a star head on the Sonesse 506S2 RTS (1001809) and on the Altus RTS 550R2 (1038170).
ExampleAn LT50 star head bracket holds either of these motors.
Four heads, four brackets
A round head
Somfy lists a round head on the Sonesse 404S2 RTS (1240380) and on the Sonesse 30 PoE (1241147).
Watch forA round head will not seat in a star bracket, even on a mainstream interior motor.
Check yourself
A Sonesse 404S2 arrives and the van carries only LT50 star brackets. Will they work?
Hint: Check the head shape, not the brand.
No. Somfy lists a round head on the 404S2, so it needs a bracket made for a round head.
Module 2 of 5
The code does not tell you
Why torque and model code say nothing about the head. After this module you will read the head from the spec sheet every time.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
The code does not tell you
Same family, different head
The Sonesse 506S2 and the Sonesse ULTRA 504A8 are both 500 series motors. Somfy lists a star head on the 506S2 and a square head on the 504A8.
ExampleA dealer who orders star brackets for a room of 504A8 motors sends them all back.
The code does not tell you
The square head
Somfy lists the Sonesse ULTRA 504A8 RTS (1134023) with a square head, IP 20, for interior use. A star bracket will not hold it.
Watch forThis is the expensive miss: a premium motor and a bracket that looks close enough.
The code does not tell you
Read the head row
Somfy prints head type as its own row on each spec sheet. Read it there for the exact part number before you order a bracket.
On the jobSearch the Somfy part number, open the spec table and find the Head type row.
Check yourself
Two motors are both 6 Nm and 500 series. Can you assume they share a bracket?
Hint: What decides the bracket?
No. Head type is set per part. Check the Head type row on each spec sheet.
Module 3 of 5
Star and round brackets
The brackets that hold the most common heads. After this module you can pick a star-head bracket or a round-head bracket set with confidence.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Star and round brackets
The LT50 star head bracket
The LT50 Star Head Motor Bracket 9410651 holds an LT50 star head, such as the Sonesse 506S2 or the Altus RTS 550R2.
On the jobMatch the bracket to the mount too: face, ceiling or into a cassette.
Star and round brackets
A round-head bracket set
Our Sonesse 30 listings pair the round-head motor with the RollEase SkyLine Bracket Set, 2 in projection (9017910).
ExampleA Sonesse 30 PoE in a commercial pocket takes the SkyLine set for its round head.
Check yourself
An Altus RTS 550R2 goes into a new awning hood. Which bracket style do you start from?
Hint: Find the Head type row for 1038170.
An LT50 star-head bracket such as 9410651. Somfy lists a star head on the 550R2.
Module 4 of 5
CMO heads
The crank-override head and the brackets made for it. After this module you will never send a star bracket to a CMO job.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
CMO heads
The crank eye sits on the head
A CMO head carries the manual override and its crank eye on the front of the motor. Somfy lists head type CMO on the 550R2 RTS CMO (1051466).
Watch forA star bracket blocks the crank eye and will not hold the CMO head.
CMO heads
US-thread CMO bracket
The Motor Bracket for Sunea CMO RTS US (9015802) holds a CMO head with the crank eye clear of the bracket.
On the jobCheck the hood depth so the crank stays reachable after the bracket goes in.
CMO heads
Metric CMO bracket
The Sunea RTS CMO Universal Bracket, Metric (5061539) is the metric version for installers working to metric hardware.
ExampleAn awning frame built to metric hardware calls for the metric bracket.
Check yourself
A 550R2 RTS CMO job is packed with an LT50 star bracket. What do you swap in?
Hint: The head type on 1051466 is CMO.
A CMO bracket: 9015802 for US threads or 5061539 for metric.
Module 5 of 5
Another brand of bracket
How to put a Somfy motor into brackets made by another shade maker. After this module you can quote a motor swap without rebuilding the headrail.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Another brand of bracket
Change the plate, keep the brackets
An adapter plate mates a Somfy motor head to another maker's bracket. Plate 9016378 fits RollEase SkyLine and ZMC XL series brackets.
ExampleReplacing a failed motor in a RollEase SkyLine headrail takes a plate, not new brackets.
Another brand of bracket
The 9016378 plate
The Motor Adaptor Plate 9016378 is listed for RollEase SkyLine and ZMC XL series brackets with Sonesse 30 motors.
Watch forA plate changes the mount, not the tube. Check the motor minimum tube size separately.
Check yourself
A client wants a Sonesse 30 motor in an existing RollEase SkyLine headrail. What lets you keep the brackets?
Hint: One small part mates the head to another maker's bracket.
The adapter plate 9016378.
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, plus a 10% code for your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.
Question 1 of 10
On the job: You pull an old motor and see a smooth cylindrical head.
Which head type is it?
Hint: No splines, no corners, no crank eye.
A smooth cylindrical head is a round head.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: A Sonesse 404S2 RTS needs a bracket.
Will an LT50 star head bracket hold it?
Hint: Look up the head type for 1240380.
Somfy lists a round head on the 404S2.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: A dealer orders brackets for ten Sonesse ULTRA 504A8 motors.
Which head must the bracket fit?
Hint: This premium motor breaks the 500 series pattern.
Somfy lists a square head on the 504A8.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: Two motors share the same torque and series.
What decides whether they share a bracket?
Hint: Somfy prints it as its own row.
Head type is set per part, so read it for each one.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: You want the head type for a part you have never installed.
Where do you look?
Hint: It sits in the spec table.
Somfy lists head type as its own row per part.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: An Altus RTS 550R2 goes on a new awning.
Which bracket do you start from?
Hint: Read the head row for 1038170.
Somfy lists a star head on the 550R2.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A Sonesse 30 PoE (1241147) goes into a commercial pocket.
Which head does the bracket need to fit?
Hint: Check the PoE motor spec.
Somfy lists a round head on the 1241147.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: A 550R2 RTS CMO is going onto a US-thread awning.
Which bracket fits?
Hint: The head carries a crank eye.
A CMO head takes a CMO bracket such as 9015802.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: An installer fits a star bracket on a CMO motor.
What goes wrong?
Hint: Think about what sits on the front of a CMO head.
A CMO head needs a CMO bracket.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: A Sonesse 30 motor replaces a failed motor in a RollEase SkyLine headrail.
What lets you keep the existing brackets?
Hint: One small plate mates the head to another maker's bracket.
Plate 9016378 fits RollEase SkyLine and ZMC XL brackets.
Almost done
Where should we send your certificate?
Your score shows on the next screen. The certificate goes to your inbox so you can download it again later.
Parts used in this course
Genuine Somfy parts, 5-year warranty
Parts used in this course
