Module 1 of 4
What thermal time means
The figure Somfy prints for every motor and what it tells you on site. After this module you can read it on a product record.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Fix It · 201
Why a Somfy Motor Stops After a Few Minutes: Thermal Protection
A Somfy motor that stops after running for a while and then works again later is usually resting on thermal protection. Learn what thermal time means, how to read the signs, what trips it, and what to do instead of a reset.
You will be able to: Recognise Somfy thermal protection, explain it to an owner and stop it from tripping again.
Inside this course
4 modules, one idea at a time
- What thermal time meansThe figure Somfy prints for every motor and what it tells you on site. After this module you can read it on a product record.2 lessons · scenario check
- Read the signsHow thermal protection looks to an owner. After this module you can spot it on a call.2 lessons · scenario check
- What trips itThe common causes of repeated cutouts. After this module you can tell a busy afternoon from a sizing problem.2 lessons · scenario check
- What to doThe response that fixes the problem without making it worse. After this module you can talk an owner through it.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.
What thermal time means
Every motor has a figure
Somfy lists a thermal time on each motor record: 3 min for the Sonesse 28 WireFree RTS, 4 min for the Sonesse 506S2 RTS and 5 min for the Altus RTS 550R2.
ExampleA 550R2 awning run over and over during a demo can stop and rest.
What thermal time means
A tripping temperature
Somfy lists thermal tripping at 284 F for the Altus RTS 550R2 and 266 F for the 660R2.
On the jobThe cutout protects the motor. Tell the owner it is working as designed.
Check yourself
A 550R2 awning stops after a long demo and runs again later. What happened?
Hint: Look at the thermal figures.
It rested on thermal protection. Somfy lists a 5 min thermal time and tripping at 284 F.
Module 2 of 4
Read the signs
How thermal protection looks to an owner. After this module you can spot it on a call.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Read the signs
Runs, stops, runs again
A motor on thermal protection stops responding after many cycles in a row, then works again once it cools.
Watch forIf it never comes back after cooling, look at power and controls instead.
Read the signs
A red LED on Li-ion motors
On Somfy Li-ion motors, a continuously blinking red LED means thermal protection. Somfy says to wait for the motor to cool down.
ExampleA battery shade blinking red after a programming session needs a rest, not a charge.
Check yourself
A WireFree shade blinks red continuously after you ran it up and down many times. What does Somfy say?
Hint: Read the LED.
It is in thermal protection. Wait for the motor to cool down.
Module 3 of 4
What trips it
The common causes of repeated cutouts. After this module you can tell a busy afternoon from a sizing problem.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
What trips it
Back-to-back cycles
Programming and testing run a motor many times in a row. That is when thermal protection most often trips.
On the jobPace your test runs. Give the motor a break between limit changes.
What trips it
WireFree is rated for daily use
Somfy rates the Sonesse 28 WireFree RTS and the Roll Up 28 WireFree V2 at one cycle a day.
Watch forA WireFree shade run many times an hour will rest on thermal protection more often.
Check yourself
A wired shade trips thermal protection every evening in normal use. What do you check?
Hint: Normal use should not trip it.
The motor sizing against the shade load. Repeated trips in normal use point to a sizing issue.
Module 4 of 4
What to do
The response that fixes the problem without making it worse. After this module you can talk an owner through it.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
What to do
Wait, then test
Let the motor cool for longer than its thermal time, then run it once. Somfy lists the fix as waiting for the motor to cool down.
Watch forDo not reset a motor in thermal protection. A reset erases limits and remotes and fixes nothing.
What to do
A wired motor example
The Sonesse 506S2 RTS lists a 4 min thermal time, so wait past that before you test it.
On the jobTell the owner what happened. It saves a second service call.
Check yourself
An owner kept pressing the remote while the motor rested. What do you tell them?
Hint: The motor needs time, not commands.
Stop pressing, wait past the thermal time, then run it once.
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 look up a Sonesse 506S2 RTS record.
What thermal time does Somfy list?
Hint: Read the record.
Somfy lists 4 min for 1001809.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: You compare two awning motors.
Which lists a 5 min thermal time?
Hint: The 50 Nm awning motor.
The 550R2 lists 5 min.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: An awning stops after a long demo and works later.
What is it?
Hint: It came back by itself.
The motor rested on thermal protection.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: A Li-ion motor blinks red continuously after testing.
What does Somfy say to do?
Hint: Read the LED meaning.
Continuous red blinking means thermal protection.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: A shade stops, then runs an hour later.
What does that pattern suggest?
Hint: It recovered.
Thermal protection clears once the motor cools.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: You are setting limits on a new shade.
What should you do between changes?
Hint: Pace the runs.
Back-to-back cycles trip thermal protection.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A wired shade trips every evening in normal use.
What do you check?
Hint: Normal use should not trip it.
Repeated trips in normal use point to sizing.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: A WireFree shade runs many times an hour.
Why does it rest often?
Hint: Read the cycle rating.
WireFree records list one cycle a day.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: A motor is resting on thermal protection.
Should you reset it?
Hint: What does a reset erase?
Waiting is the fix.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: You test after a thermal cutout on a 506S2 RTS.
How long do you wait first?
Hint: Use the record figure.
Wait past the listed thermal time.
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
