The world of roller blinds can be confusing, and with so many blind control options available these days it’s hard to know which is the best solution.
In this guide we will explain which options are available and help you figure out which of them is best for you.
Choosing the right control type is so important as it not only affects the day to day operation of the blind but many control options can also assist with heat gain control, fire safety, user experience, burglar defence and much more. Having a clear idea of what you want your blinds’ primary function to be will help determine the best way of controlling them.
Basic Switch Control
One of the most basic ways to control a roller blind is by connecting your motor flex directly to a switch. By wiring directly to a switch you can command a blind to run up or down, but nothing more. This setup only works for a single motor. To control more than one motor with a switch you will need to connect them to a relay. There’s more info on relays below.
Dry contact control can also be used to achieve basic hardwired switching. This is also known as 0v switching and enables blind control via a switch, BMS, fire alarm panel or other control mechanism.
Radio Remote Control
Alternatively you can connect a radio controlled hardwired motor, such as a Somfy Sonesse 40 RTS motor, to a power source via a fused spur unit. Radio control motors allow you to control the blind with a hand-held remote or a wireless wall switch. The benefit of radio control is that you can daisy chain up to approximately 8 motors and programme them to the same controller. They can then be operated simultaneously or individually without using a relay.
You could also have multiple controllers, each programmed to their own individual motor. This would be useful if you only wanted to be able to operate the blinds individually and not as a group. Check out an example of simultaneous radio remote control in this video below from our recent work at ICC Wales.
Relays
A motor relay allows you to control multiple blinds from one power supply or switch. A relay in the simplest terms is a motor controller for operating multiple motors, with group and individual controls. A standard relay, such as the Vestamatic MC P4 VRS, has 4 inputs, meaning you can connect 4 motors to the relay for individual control, or 4 groups of daisy-chained motors for simultaneous control.
Relays can also have a lot of extra features that you can’t otherwise achieve by simply connecting to a switch. For example, some relays such as the MC P4 have a specific fire alarm input. This means that a signal sent to the fire alarm input can override all other controls when the alarm is activated. For many buildings this is vital as it means you can programme your blinds to automatically open as soon as the fire alarm goes off so that smoke can escape the building and exits are left clear. This simple but smart override switch is a vital requirement for many contractors and architects these days.
Some relays also come with a dry contact (0v) input for connecting to a home automation, or building management system.
Digital Motor Control
Controlling motors using a digital network allows you to address actuators individually even if the wiring is daisy chained. Using digital motors not only gives you greater immediate flexibility and control, but also helps to future-proof your building. For example if you decide to remodel your office layout, some windows may end up being grouped in different rooms. Changing the switch location for these blinds is simply a software edit rather than physically re-wiring your building.
BMS (Building Management Systems)
A building management system is a computer-based system that is installed to control and monitor the mechanical and electrical equipment in a building. A BMS can control and monitor everything from lighting and ventilation to security systems.
In many modern buildings a BMS is used to improve energy efficiency. When used in conjunction with sensors on the window, the BMS can instruct the blinds to open or close to control levels of natural light entering the building.
Approximately 75% of blinds stay in the same position all day which means heat and light levels are fluctuating constantly and making it difficult to maintain a consistent temperature. A blind that opens and closes automatically can make a huge difference in creating a comfortable environment and as a by-product it can reduce energy bills.
Another key feature of a BMS is that it allows the blinds to work in conjunction with the other services in the building. Blinds can be programmed to open or close when the interior lights come on or to close at night once the security alarms are activated. All of these small instructions make the building more efficient and can improve the quality of life for the people occupying it.
Home Automation
Home automation systems, or smart home devices, are similar to a BMS but usually on a much smaller scale. Frequently installed in new builds and modern homes, a home automation system is there to make controlling a home as simple as possible.
There are many home automation devices available that will be compatible with your blinds and other devices in your home. TaHoma from Somfy is compatible with RTS and IO motors, and can be connected to devices such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Philips Hue, IFTTT and many more. All of these devices can then be controlled via a smartphone app which can run time schedules, work with sensors for automated control and can control multiple devices at once.
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you have any questions about which control options are best for your project get in touch with a member of our sales team who will be able to answer your questions: [email protected]
Links and resources:
Energy Efficient Window Attachments: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-attachments
Somfy Tahoma Hub: https://www.somfy.co.uk/products/1811541/tahoma
Vestamatic MC P4: https://www.vestamatic.com/product/mc-p4-complete/
Electric Blinds & Curtains: https://umbrashading.co.uk/products-services/electric-blinds/