Shade Motors School · Fix It · 101
Somfy motors listen on one of two radios, RTS or Zigbee, and a remote only runs a motor on its own radio. Learn to tell which one you have in under a minute, then pick the remote, wall switch or hub that fits.
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: Identify a motor as RTS or Zigbee and choose a remote, wall switch or hub that runs it.
Inside this course
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 1 of 5
Why a brand-new Somfy remote can refuse to run a Somfy shade. After this module you can explain the one rule that decides every remote purchase.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Two radios, one rule
RTS runs at 433.420 MHz and sends commands one way. Zigbee 3.0 runs at 2.450 GHz, and the motor can report back to an app. They are separate systems.
ExampleTwo shades in one house can both say Somfy on the motor and still need different remotes, because one is RTS and the other is Zigbee.
Two radios, one rule
Each motor is built with one radio receiver. You cannot add Zigbee to an RTS motor or switch it the other way. Changing protocol means changing the motor.
Watch forA customer asking to "update" an RTS shade to Zigbee is asking for a new motor. Quote it that way from the start.
Two radios, one rule
An RTS remote runs RTS motors. A Zigbee remote runs Zigbee motors. A crossed pair never works, no matter how long you hold a button.
On the jobBefore you troubleshoot a dead remote, confirm both halves speak the same radio. It rules out the most common wrong purchase.
Check yourself
Hint: Think about where the radio is built.
No. A reset does not change the radio. The shade needs an RTS remote, or a new Zigbee motor.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 2 of 5
Three quick checks that tell you RTS, Zigbee or wired before you order anything. You will know which clue to trust when the motor is buried in a headrail.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Find out what your motor speaks
Somfy writes the radio into the motor name: Sonesse 506S2 RTS, Sonesse 28 WireFree Zigbee. The part number, such as 1001809, points to one exact motor.
On the jobPhotograph the motor label or the old order before you climb down. The name and part number answer the question for good.
Find out what your motor speaks
If a working remote runs the shade, read its name or back label. A Situo RTS or Telis RTS means the motor is RTS. A Ysia means Zigbee.
ExampleA guest room has a Situo 1 RTS on the nightstand. A replacement remote for that shade must be RTS too.
Find out what your motor speaks
Some shades run from a wired wall switch with no radio in the motor at all. No RTS or Zigbee remote can pair to a wired motor.
Watch forA hard-wired toggle by the door is a hint, not proof. Some RTS shades also have wireless wall switches that look wired.
Check yourself
Hint: Somfy puts the answer in one place on every motor.
The motor name and part number. They show whether it is RTS, Zigbee or a wired motor with no radio.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 3 of 5
The RTS control lineup and the limits worth knowing before you add controls to a motor. You will be able to choose an RTS handheld or wall switch with confidence.
4 lessons, then a scenario check.
RTS remotes and switches
Situo RTS and Telis RTS remotes run RTS motors. Somfy builds the Sonesse 506S2 RTS to work with its full range of RTS controls and accessories.
ExampleOne Situo 5 can run five shades or five groups from the couch, one channel each.
RTS remotes and switches
A DecoFlex RTS wall switch is a wireless control that mounts on the wall. It pairs to the motor the same way a handheld does, so no new wiring is needed.
On the jobAdding a wall switch to an RTS shade is a pairing job, not an electrical job. Bring the working remote with you.
RTS remotes and switches
Somfy lists a memory capacity of 12 on the Sonesse 506S2 RTS. Every paired remote or channel uses room in that memory.
Watch forIn a busy rental, old remotes pile up in the motor memory. Remove the ones that left with past tenants.
RTS remotes and switches
Somfy lists 656.2 ft of open-field range for the Sonesse 506S2 RTS. Walls, brick and metal headrails cut that down inside a building.
On the jobIf a far shade answers only from the hallway, test from closer before you blame the remote.
Check yourself
Hint: How does an RTS control talk to the motor?
No. A DecoFlex RTS wireless wall switch pairs to the motor like a second remote, with no new wiring.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 4 of 5
What Zigbee adds and which Somfy controls speak it. You will be able to explain the feedback difference to a client in one sentence.
4 lessons, then a scenario check.
Zigbee remotes and feedback
Somfy says its Sonesse 28 WireFree Zigbee gives real-time feedback on shade position and battery level on a phone or tablet. An RTS motor cannot report back.
ExampleA Zigbee shade that stopped short shows its real position in the app. An RTS shade only shows the last command.
Zigbee remotes and feedback
The Ysia 1 Zigbee runs Somfy Zigbee window coverings. Somfy lists 2.450 GHz, 164.05 ft of open-field range and two AAA batteries.
On the jobCarry AAA cells for Ysia service calls. The RTS Situo uses a coin cell, so the battery tells you which family you hold.
Zigbee remotes and feedback
Somfy says a Ysia works as a direct control for Somfy Zigbee devices, or as part of a TaHoma switch system. The hub adds the app.
ExampleA homeowner can start with one Zigbee shade and a Ysia, then add TaHoma later for schedules.
Zigbee remotes and feedback
The DecoFlex WireFree Zigbee is the wall-mounted Zigbee control. It runs Zigbee motors, so it never goes on an RTS shade.
Watch forDecoFlex comes in RTS and Zigbee versions that look alike. Read the radio in the name before you order.
Check yourself
Hint: Which system talks in both directions?
Zigbee. The motor reports its position back to the app. RTS only sends commands.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 5 of 5
How one hub brings RTS and Zigbee shades into one app, and what it cannot change. After this module you can plan controls for a house that has both.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
TaHoma runs both
Somfy lists RTS and Zigbee as embedded technologies in the TaHoma switch. One hub and one app can run both kinds of shade.
ExampleA house with older RTS shades downstairs and new Zigbee shades upstairs can run every shade from one app.
TaHoma runs both
Somfy says the TaHoma switch controls up to 40 channels of RTS products and up to 60 Somfy Zigbee products.
On the jobCount RTS channels and Zigbee products separately when you size a project. Each side has its own ceiling.
TaHoma runs both
TaHoma unifies the app, not the radios. RTS shades still need RTS remotes and still cannot report position. Zigbee shades keep Zigbee controls.
Watch forTell the client up front that RTS shades in the app show the last command, not a live position.
Check yourself
Hint: Look for the hub that lists both radios.
Yes. The TaHoma Switch speaks RTS and Zigbee. The RTS shades still will not report position.
Final quiz
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.
Score 80% to unlock 10% off your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.
Question 1 of 10
On the job: A customer emails a photo of a Ysia remote and asks for a matching motor for a new shade.
Hint: What radio does the Ysia use?
Ysia is a Zigbee remote, so the motor must be Zigbee.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: A homeowner bought a Zigbee remote for an RTS shade and held PROG for a full minute.
Hint: Both halves have to share something.
The radios differ, so no button sequence can pair them.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: A property manager asks you to convert twelve RTS shades to Zigbee by updating the motors.
Hint: Where is the radio built?
The radio is built into the motor, so changing protocol means a new motor.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: You open a headrail and read "Sonesse 506S2 RTS" on the motor.
Hint: Read the last word of the name.
The name says RTS, so an RTS remote such as the Situo 1 RTS fits.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: A shade runs only from a hard-wired switch, and the motor label shows a 4-wire motor.
Hint: Does this motor have a receiver?
A wired motor has no radio, so no remote can pair to it.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: A client wants a wall control by the patio door for an RTS shade that already has a Situo remote.
Hint: The control must speak the same radio as the motor.
A DecoFlex RTS switch pairs to an RTS motor like a second remote.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A rental shade pairs fine but the owner has handed out remotes to many past tenants.
Hint: Every paired control takes up a slot.
Somfy lists a memory capacity of 12 on the 506S2 RTS, so old remotes take room.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: A client wants to check from work whether the nursery shade actually closed.
Hint: Which radio sends information back?
Zigbee motors report position back to the app. RTS cannot.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: A homeowner wants one Zigbee shade now and no hub until next year.
Hint: Somfy lists two ways to use a Ysia.
Ysia works as a direct control or as part of a TaHoma system.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: A house has RTS shades downstairs and Zigbee shades upstairs, and the owner wants one app.
Hint: One hub lists both radios.
TaHoma Switch runs RTS and Zigbee in one app.
Almost done
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.
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Parts used in this course
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