Module 1 of 5
What SDN is
How Somfy Digital Network differs from radio control. After this module you can explain SDN to a project team.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Wired and Networked · 301
SDN and RS485 Basics: How Somfy Digital Network Motors Connect
Somfy Digital Network motors talk two ways over RS-485, so a control system can command them and read their position. Learn what SDN is, the two cables on each motor, how the bus is built, how motors are commissioned, and the keypads and interfaces that connect.
You will be able to: Plan the cabling, bus and commissioning for a Somfy SDN RS485 motor job.
Inside this course
5 modules, one idea at a time
- What SDN isHow Somfy Digital Network differs from radio control. After this module you can explain SDN to a project team.3 lessons · scenario check
- Two cables per motorThe power and data cables on a Sonesse 50 RS485 motor. After this module you can order the right cables.2 lessons · scenario check
- Build the busHow SDN motors are chained and terminated. After this module you can sketch a bus that follows Somfy's rules.2 lessons · scenario check
- Commission the motorsHow SDN motors are found, set and grouped. After this module you can plan commissioning day.3 lessons · scenario check
- Keypads and interfacesThe wall controls and bridges that join an SDN job. After this module you can pick the user control.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 SDN is
Two-way over RS-485
Somfy describes SDN as a wired, bi-directional system on a half-duplex RS-485 network. Motors report their position and status in real time.
ExampleA building system reads that a shade stopped at 40% and shows it on the dashboard.
What SDN is
An SDN motor
The Sonesse 506S2 RS485 (1002286) delivers 6 Nm at 32 rpm, like the RTS and 4-wire 506S2. Somfy rates it IP 44.
On the jobChoose the torque the same way as any Sonesse 50. The protocol changes the control, not the lift.
What SDN is
Who controls it
Somfy lists SDN control from third-party systems such as Crestron, AMX and Control4, or from its own animeo IP.
Watch forConfirm the control system driver before you commit to SDN motors.
Check yourself
A facilities manager wants to see each shade's position on a screen. Why SDN?
Hint: Radio RTS is one way.
SDN motors report their position and status in real time over a two-way RS-485 network.
Module 2 of 5
Two cables per motor
The power and data cables on a Sonesse 50 RS485 motor. After this module you can order the right cables.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Two cables per motor
Power and data
The motor takes 120V on a 3-wire SJTW cable: white neutral, black hot, green ground. The data cable is sold separately, with RJ9 at the motor and RJ45 at the network.
Watch forOrder the data cable with the motor. Somfy sells it separately.
Two cables per motor
The RJ45 pins
On the RJ45 network end, Somfy lists pin 1 as +RS485, pin 2 as -RS485 and pin 8 as ground. Pins 3 to 7 are not connected.
On the jobCheck pins 1, 2 and 8 on any custom patch lead before you blame a motor.
Check yourself
An installer made a custom RJ45 lead and the motor does not answer. What do you check?
Hint: Three pins carry the signal and ground.
Pins 1 (+RS485), 2 (-RS485) and 8 (ground) on the RJ45 end.
Module 3 of 5
Build the bus
How SDN motors are chained and terminated. After this module you can sketch a bus that follows Somfy's rules.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Build the bus
Daisy chain and terminate
Somfy shows SDN motors daisy chained on a bus with a terminator at each end. Its RS485 terminator is a 120 ohm resistor (9019005).
Watch forA bus missing an end terminator can drop messages. Fit one at each end.
Build the bus
Cable and length
Somfy lists CAT5 for the SDN network and up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in its BMS interface data. Its SDN Wiring Guide sets the mandatory rules.
On the jobRead the SDN Wiring Guide before rough-in, not after.
Check yourself
You draw an SDN bus with six motors. Where do the terminators go?
Hint: Somfy draws two.
One at each end of the network, 120 ohm per Somfy.
Module 4 of 5
Commission the motors
How SDN motors are found, set and grouped. After this module you can plan commissioning day.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Commission the motors
Node IDs and tools
Each SDN motor has a node ID. The RS485 Setting Tool sets rotation, limits and presets, and the SDN Configuration Tool on a PC discovers node IDs.
ExampleLog every node ID against its window on the drawing as you go.
Commission the motors
RS485 Setting Tool
Somfy's RS485 Setting Tool (9017142) sets motor rotation, end limits, preset positions and factory defaults.
On the jobSet limits on each motor before the integrator starts programming scenes.
Commission the motors
Glydea on SDN
The RS485 SDN module (1871412) puts a Glydea ULTRA DCT motor on SDN. It takes up to 16 SDN group addresses and draws power from the motor.
Watch forUse one module per drapery motor. Somfy lists it for the Glydea ULTRA 35 and 60 DCT.
Check yourself
A drapery track must join an SDN shade system. What do you specify?
Hint: Somfy makes a module for the DCT Glydea.
A Glydea ULTRA DCT motor with the RS485 SDN module 1871412.
Module 5 of 5
Keypads and interfaces
The wall controls and bridges that join an SDN job. After this module you can pick the user control.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Keypads and interfaces
DecoFlex 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 meeting room gets an 8-button keypad for presets with no control processor on site.
Keypads and interfaces
Control4 interface
Somfy lists a Control4 to Digital Motor Interface (1870533) among its digital motor interfaces.
On the jobAsk which control platform the integrator runs before choosing the interface.
Check yourself
A small office wants keypad control of SDN shades with no control processor. What fits?
Hint: Somfy describes one keypad this way.
The DecoFlex SDN Keypad V2, which talks to motors without a central controller.
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 project team asks how SDN differs from RTS.
What is accurate?
Hint: Think feedback.
Somfy describes SDN as wired, bi-directional, half-duplex RS-485.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: You need 6 Nm on an SDN job.
Which motor fits?
Hint: Same torque as the RTS 506S2.
1002286 delivers 6 Nm at 32 rpm.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: You order a Sonesse 50 RS485 motor.
What else must you order?
Hint: Somfy sells it apart.
Each RS485 motor data cable is sold separately.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: You check a custom RJ45 lead.
Which pin is +RS485?
Hint: The first pin.
Somfy lists pin 1 as +RS485.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: The motor power cable is open.
Which conductor is hot?
Hint: A 3-wire SJTW cable.
White neutral, black hot, green ground.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: You finish drawing the SDN bus.
What goes at each end?
Hint: Somfy draws two.
Somfy shows a terminator at each network end.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: The site uses structured cabling.
Which cable does Somfy list for the SDN network?
Hint: Common data cable.
Somfy lists CAT5.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: You need to set limits and rotation on each RS485 motor.
Which tool?
Hint: Somfy names a setting tool.
The RS485 Setting Tool sets rotation, limits and presets.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: A Glydea ULTRA DCT drapery must join SDN.
What do you add?
Hint: One module per motor.
Somfy lists 1871412 for Glydea ULTRA 35 and 60 DCT.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: A room needs SDN keypad control with no processor.
Which part?
Hint: It talks to motors directly.
The keypad communicates with motors without a central controller.
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
