Module 1 of 4
One cable does both jobs
What a PoE motor is and why it changes the install. After this module you can explain PoE shades to a facilities manager.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Wired and Networked · 301
Somfy PoE Motors: Power and Data on One Ethernet Cable
Somfy PoE motors take power and control on a single Ethernet cable and talk to control systems through the Synergy API. Learn the two Sonesse PoE motors, how to size the switch, and how they integrate.
You will be able to: Specify a Somfy Sonesse PoE motor and size the switch that powers it.
Inside this course
4 modules, one idea at a time
- One cable does both jobsWhat a PoE motor is and why it changes the install. After this module you can explain PoE shades to a facilities manager.3 lessons · scenario check
- Compare the two motorsHow the Sonesse 30 PoE and Sonesse 40 PoE differ on power, noise and tube. After this module you can pick the right one for a room.3 lessons · scenario check
- Size the switchThe number that trips PoE shade projects: the switch power budget. After this module you can check a switch against a floor of shades.2 lessons · scenario check
- IntegrationHow PoE motors talk to control systems. After this module you can describe the control path without a bridge in the rack.3 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.
One cable does both jobs
Power and data together
A Somfy PoE motor takes its power and its control over one Ethernet cable from a PoE switch port. No line voltage runs to the window.
ExampleOn an office floor wired for structured cabling, the low-voltage contractor runs the shade drops with the rest.
One cable does both jobs
Sonesse 30 PoE
Somfy lists the Sonesse 30 PoE (1241147) at 1.5 Nm and 25 rpm, with IP control and a round head.
On the jobLabel each switch port with the window it feeds. It saves a day of commissioning.
One cable does both jobs
Sonesse 40 PoE
Somfy names the Sonesse 40 PoE "at 2/25 Type 2 (30W)" (1241426). It ends in an RJ45 plug and has a round head.
Watch forRead the Type in the Somfy name. It tells the network engineer which port class to provide.
Check yourself
A facilities manager asks how many cables a PoE shade needs. What do you say?
Hint: That is the point of PoE.
One Ethernet cable carries both power and control from a PoE switch port.
Module 2 of 4
Compare the two motors
How the Sonesse 30 PoE and Sonesse 40 PoE differ on power, noise and tube. After this module you can pick the right one for a room.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Compare the two motors
Side by side
Somfy lists 18 W running and 1.4 W standby for the Sonesse 30 PoE, and 25 W running and 1 W standby for the Sonesse 40 PoE.
ExampleA quiet conference room favors the Sonesse 40 PoE at 39 dB over the Sonesse 30 PoE at 47 dB.
Compare the two motors
Tube and crown
The Sonesse 30 PoE needs a 1.13 in tube bore and the Sonesse 40 PoE needs 1.46 in. A 40mm octagonal tube takes the LS40 Octagonal Rubberized Crown and Drive Set (9016655).
On the jobMeasure the tube bore before you choose between the 30 and the 40.
Compare the two motors
Round-head brackets
Both PoE motors carry a round head, so they need round-head brackets such as the RollEase 2 in SkyLine Universal Motor and Idler Bracket (9016325).
Watch forA star bracket will not hold either PoE motor.
Check yourself
A tube has a 1.3 in bore. Which PoE motor fits?
Hint: Compare the minimum tube inside diameters.
The Sonesse 30 PoE, which needs 1.13 in. The Sonesse 40 PoE needs 1.46 in.
Module 3 of 4
Size the switch
The number that trips PoE shade projects: the switch power budget. After this module you can check a switch against a floor of shades.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Size the switch
The port and the window
Both motors take a 42.5 to 57 V supply. The Sonesse 30 PoE draws 18 W running and the Sonesse 40 PoE, named Type 2 (30W), draws 25 W.
ExampleGive each Sonesse 40 PoE a port that supports the Type 2 class in its name.
Size the switch
Check the total, not one port
Shades on a schedule move together. Add the running watts of every motor on the switch and compare with the switch total budget.
Watch forA switch can offer full power per port and still run out when every port draws at once.
Check yourself
Twelve Sonesse 30 PoE motors share one switch and move on the same schedule. What total do you check?
Hint: Multiply running watts by the motors moving together.
12 x 18 W = 216 W against the switch total PoE budget.
Module 4 of 4
Integration
How PoE motors talk to control systems. After this module you can describe the control path without a bridge in the rack.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Integration
Synergy API inside
Somfy says the PoE motors carry the Synergy API, which allows direct integration with third-party control systems and removes the need for extra hardware.
ExampleThe integrator's control system addresses each shade as a device on the network.
Integration
PoE gateway for SDN jobs
Somfy sells the SDN Power over Ethernet Gateway (1860326) for jobs that run Sonesse 30 and 40 PoE motors with an SDN system.
On the jobAsk early whether the job also carries RS485 SDN motors. That decides the gateway.
Integration
Check panel compatibility
Somfy notes the Sonesse 30 PoE is not compatible with PoE touch panels. Plan control through the network and the control system.
Watch forDo not promise a PoE touch panel on a Sonesse 30 PoE job.
Check yourself
An integrator asks what interface box sits between the control system and a Somfy PoE motor. What do you say?
Hint: Read what Somfy says the API removes.
None is needed. The Synergy API in the motor allows direct integration over the network.
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: A facilities manager asks what reaches each PoE shade.
What is the answer?
Hint: PoE combines two things.
One Ethernet cable carries power and control.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: You need the torque of the Sonesse 30 PoE.
What does Somfy list?
Hint: It is a small 30 mm motor.
Somfy lists 1.5 Nm and 25 rpm for 1241147.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: A quiet boardroom needs a PoE shade.
Which motor is rated quieter?
Hint: Compare the noise row.
Somfy lists 39 dB for the Sonesse 40 PoE.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: A tube bore measures 1.3 in.
Which PoE motor fits?
Hint: Compare the minimum tube sizes.
The Sonesse 30 PoE needs 1.13 in; the 40 needs 1.46 in.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: An installer brings LT50 star brackets for PoE motors.
What is wrong?
Hint: Check the head type.
Somfy lists round heads on both PoE motors.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: You plan the network for Sonesse 40 PoE motors.
What running draw does Somfy list?
Hint: Read the running consumption.
Somfy lists 25 W running and 1 W standby.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: Ten Sonesse 30 PoE shades move on one schedule.
What total running draw do you check?
Hint: Multiply by the motors moving together.
10 x 18 W = 180 W.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: A switch offers full power on every port.
Why can it still fall short?
Hint: Think about everything moving at once.
Check the switch total budget against all motors running.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: An integrator asks what links Control4 to the PoE motor.
What do you say?
Hint: Somfy names an API.
Somfy says the Synergy API allows direct integration.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: A Sonesse 30 PoE job spec asks for PoE touch panels.
What do you flag?
Hint: Read Somfy's note for 1241147.
Plan control through the network and control system.
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
Somfy Sonesse 30 POE Motor (1.5Nm, 25rpm) (1241147)
Somfy Sonesse 40 PoE bt 2/25 Type 2 (30W) Motor (2Nm, 10-25rpm) (1241426)
Somfy SDN Power over Ethernet (PoE) Gateway (1860326)
Somfy LS40 Octagonal Rubberized Crown and Drive Set (9016655)
Somfy RollEase 2 inch SkyLine Universal Motor Bracket and Idler Bracket (9016325)Parts used in this course
