Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 1 of 4
Range figures
What Somfy publishes for Zigbee range and how far to trust it indoors. After this module you can set range expectations.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
Shade Motors School · Program It · 301
Somfy Zigbee Range: Place the Hub and Repeaters in a Building
Somfy Zigbee shades form a mesh only with a TaHoma hub, and only some devices repeat the signal. Learn the range figures, why the hub matters, which Somfy devices act as repeaters, and the pairing order and limits Somfy sets.
10% OFF
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: Plan hub and repeater placement and pairing order for a Somfy Zigbee shade job.
Inside this course
4 modules, one idea at a time
- Range figuresWhat Somfy publishes for Zigbee range and how far to trust it indoors. After this module you can set range expectations.2 lessons · scenario check
- The hub builds the meshWhy a TaHoma switch changes how Zigbee shades talk. After this module you can explain standalone versus mesh.2 lessons · scenario check
- Who repeatsWhich Somfy devices carry the mesh and which only join it. After this module you can place repeaters on a drawing.3 lessons · scenario check
- Pairing order and limitsThe order and ratios Somfy sets for a reliable network. After this module you can run commissioning in the right sequence.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.
Range figures
Open field
Somfy lists 656.2 ft open field for the wired Sonesse 40 Zigbee 406A2 and 262.48 ft for the Sonesse 28 WireFree Zigbee.
Watch forOpen field means no walls. Indoors, plan for far less.
Range figures
Inside a room
Somfy's standalone guide states a Zigbee 3.0 radio range of 7 m (about 23 ft) in a room.
On the jobPlan from the in-room figure and let repeaters cover the rest.
Check yourself
A client reads 656 ft on a spec sheet and expects one hub to cover a three-story house. What do you say?
Hint: Open field is not a building.
That is open field. Somfy's standalone guide plans 7 m in a room, so plan repeaters.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 2 of 4
The hub builds the mesh
Why a TaHoma switch changes how Zigbee shades talk. After this module you can explain standalone versus mesh.
2 lessons, then a scenario check.
The hub builds the mesh
No hub, no mesh
Somfy says a mesh network is only created with a main controller. Standalone Ysia and motor pairs connect directly, with no mesh.
ExampleA single bedroom shade on a Ysia remote works standalone. A whole floor needs TaHoma.
The hub builds the mesh
The main controller
To extend Zigbee range, Somfy requires a TaHoma switch plus Somfy trusted repeaters. One hub runs up to 60 Zigbee products.
On the jobPlace the hub central to the shades, not in a far corner by the router.
Check yourself
A client wants to extend Zigbee range on Ysia remotes alone. What do you tell them?
Hint: Who builds the mesh?
Somfy needs a TaHoma switch and trusted repeaters to extend range. Standalone pairs have no mesh.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 3 of 4
Who repeats
Which Somfy devices carry the mesh and which only join it. After this module you can place repeaters on a drawing.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Who repeats
Wired motors route
Somfy says the wired Sonesse 40 Zigbee 406A2 acts as a Zigbee mesh network router to extend radio range.
ExampleA wired Zigbee shade halfway down a hall carries the signal to WireFree shades beyond it.
Who repeats
Glydea with the Zigbee module
Somfy lists a Glydea ULTRA AC motor with the Zigbee module among its trusted repeaters.
On the jobA powered drapery motor can double as the repeater for a room of battery shades.
Who repeats
WireFree joins, it does not repeat
Somfy's trusted repeater list holds powered devices. WireFree battery motors are not on it.
Watch forA floor of WireFree shades with no powered repeater depends on the hub alone.
Check yourself
A long hall has twelve WireFree Zigbee shades and one wired 406A2 in the middle. What does the 406A2 do?
Hint: Somfy describes it as a router.
It acts as a Zigbee mesh router and extends range to the shades beyond it.
Finish every module, pass the quiz, unlock 10% off
Module 4 of 4
Pairing order and limits
The order and ratios Somfy sets for a reliable network. After this module you can run commissioning in the right sequence.
3 lessons, then a scenario check.
Pairing order and limits
Pair in this order
Somfy pairs wired AC Zigbee motors first, then plugs, then WireFree Zigbee motors, then Ysia controls.
On the jobBuild the backbone first. Battery shades then join a strong mesh.
Pairing order and limits
Six WireFree per repeater
Somfy recommends a maximum of 6 WireFree motors per Zigbee repeater. Before pairing a 7th, pair another repeater.
ExampleFourteen WireFree shades need at least three repeaters on Somfy's ratio.
Pairing order and limits
Ysia goes last
Somfy pairs Ysia controls after the motors. Only shades of the same family share one Ysia channel.
Watch forDo not put a drapery and a roller shade on the same Ysia channel.
Check yourself
You are about to pair the 7th WireFree motor to one repeater. What does Somfy say?
Hint: Somfy gives a ratio.
Pair an additional repeater first. Somfy recommends at most 6 WireFree motors per repeater.
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.
10% OFF
Score 80% to unlock 10% off your first ShadeMotorsDirect order.
Question 1 of 10
On the job: A spec sheet shows 656.2 ft for a wired Zigbee motor.
What does that figure assume?
Hint: No obstacles.
Somfy lists it as open field.
Question 2 of 10
On the job: You plan coverage inside rooms.
What does Somfy's standalone guide state?
Hint: A short in-room figure.
The guide states 7 m in a room.
Question 3 of 10
On the job: A client runs Ysia remotes with no hub.
Is there a mesh?
Hint: Who builds the mesh?
A mesh needs a main controller.
Question 4 of 10
On the job: You need to extend Zigbee range.
What does Somfy require?
Hint: Hub and repeaters.
Somfy names both.
Question 5 of 10
On the job: You need a powered router in a hallway.
Which motor does Somfy describe as a mesh router?
Hint: Wired AC.
Somfy says the 406A2 acts as a Zigbee mesh router.
Question 6 of 10
On the job: A drapery motor should also repeat.
What does Somfy list?
Hint: Powered drapery plus module.
Somfy lists it among trusted repeaters.
Question 7 of 10
On the job: A floor has only WireFree Zigbee shades.
Which repeat the signal?
Hint: Battery devices.
Somfy lists powered devices as repeaters.
Question 8 of 10
On the job: You start commissioning a mixed job.
What do you pair first?
Hint: Build the backbone.
Somfy pairs wired AC Zigbee motors first.
Question 9 of 10
On the job: One repeater already serves six WireFree motors.
What before the 7th?
Hint: Somfy gives a ratio.
Somfy recommends at most 6 per repeater.
Question 10 of 10
On the job: A client wants a roller shade and a drapery on one Ysia channel.
What does Somfy say?
Hint: Same family only.
Somfy limits a Ysia channel to one family.
Almost done
Where should we send your certificate?
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.
Parts used in this course
Genuine Somfy parts, 5-year warranty
Parts used in this course
