INSTEON Button Basics

Buttons on INSTEON compatible controllers enable you to perform complex home automation tasks. But most people want to start with simple scenarios: this button turns on/off this light, or maybe this set of lights. The latter are referred to as scenes: that how-to is a good guide to creating scenes that don't use INSTEON specific technology and that can control devices of multiple protocol types.

This How-To is going to focus on INSTEON specific techniques for using controller buttons. But first, let's review the specific types of INSTEON controllers:

ControLinc - This wired controller, from SmartHome, has 5 button pairs (one for ON, one for OFF), as well as ALL ON/ALL OFF and BRIGHT/DIM pairs. In Indigo, Button 1 for this device refers to the first pair on the left, the top button being the ON button, and the bottom button being OFF. The ON/OFF buttons, when natively linked to INSTEON devices, dim/brighten all loads linked to them in real time by holding down the buttons. Unlike other INSTEON controllers, the ControLinc doesn't recognize double taps.
RemoteLinc - This wireless controller from Smarthome has 6 ON/OFF buttons as well as ALL ON/ALL OFF and BRIGHT/DIM pairs. The ON/OFF buttons, when natively linked to INSTEON devices, dim/brighten all loads linked to them in real time by holding down the buttons. The remote also supports double-taps, which represent instant ON/OFF rather than waiting for the light(s) to ramp ON/OFF.
KeypadLinc - This is a combination of controller and responder, since it also controls a load. It comes in a 6 or 8 button configuration: when it's in a 6 button config, the top button is the ON for the load and the bottom is the OFF. The other four are in a grid in between. In an 8 button config, the first (top left) button controls the load, the rest are available for other uses. Also, both come in a dimmer and relay version: you should read about the difference. For our purposes, we'll discuss the usage of the buttons in their default toggle mode - one press turns them on (and the key lights up) and a second press turns them off (and the key goes off). Controlling the button state directly from Indigo is more challenging, so that discussion requires a separate how-to.

These are the most common INSTEON devices used as controllers, although since INSTEON devices generally broadcast state changes, any can be used as a controller. For purposes of this discussion, however, we'll stick to one of the above.

Now, let's discuss linking devices to an INSTEON controller button via Indigo.

Remotely Managing INSTEON Links and Scenes (Groups)

The INSTEON specification allows devices to be linked together for various purposes. Generally, you want to link a responder (for instance, a light switch) to a controller (for instance, a RemoteLinc remote control), so that when a button is pressed on a controller, the light responds to the command. This linking may be done manually by following the directions that come with the devices or they may be managed in Indigo. We're going to focus on the latter.

Scenes (or Groups - in INSTEON terminology, they are the same) generally correspond to a button/switch/toggle on a controller. So, for instance, a RemoteLinc is capable of controlling 6 Scenes - one for each button (ALL ON/OFF and BRIGHT/DIM are special purpose buttons)and a ControLinc can control 5, etc.

Indigo can remotely create and edit scenes (also called groups) between multiple remote modules. For example, you can use Indigo to remotely program button #1 on a RemoteLinc to: set the thermostat to 68°, turn off the bathroom light, brighten the bedroom sconces to 75%, dim the bedroom overhead fixture down to 35%, and turn off the hallway light.

Indigo automatically creates the links to define the scene in most remote modules. This means you do not have to press-and-hold the set button or up paddle on most remote modules. Indigo will do it all remotely for you with a single press of the Sync Now button. See the Remote INSTEON Linking option on the detail page for any supported INSTEON device linked from our INSTEON Module compatibility table - that will indicate whether Indigo can remotely manage it's links.

You can also define Indigo initiated scenes to control multiple remote modules in unison. See defining Indigo INSTEON scenes for more information on this capability.

This How-to level of difficulty is Moderate.

Defining the Scene between Modules

First, select the module you want to edit. You can choose to edit either the controller module in the scene (ex: RemoteLinc) or the responder module in the scene (ex: LampLinc).

Choose Manage INSTEON Device Links… from the Interface menu.
Select the module's device name to edit in the Show links used by device popup control.

If the module you selected is a controller (RemoteLinc, KeypadLinc, SwitchLinc, etc.), then you can add or edit responders:

If you want to add a new responder module to the scene, then press the New Link to Responder button. Or, if you want to change the settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.) of an existing responder module in the scene, then select that module's link in the table with the Link to Responder Device column title.
Choose the button or group number that identifies the scene you are defining in the controller (ex: RemoteLinc button #1) from the broadcast of button/group number popup control.
Choose the responder module's device name from the responder popup control (ex: LampLinc).
When responding to a scene command, most modules will control the main load (light or appliance) connected to that module. For these modules (SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc, etc.) you can specify the exact brightness you want for that module as well as a duration for how quickly the module should go to that brightness. Some modules will have different options. For example, when a KeypadLinc is responding to a scene command, it can turn one of the secondary button LEDs on instead of controlling the main load, or the thermostat module can respond to a scene command by changing both the thermostat operation mode and the current cool and heat setpoint temperatures.
Optionally turn on the Persistent checkbox to force this link to automatically be restored whenever either the responder module or controller module is synced. If the modules are ever reset, replaced, or have this link modified, then Indigo will automatically rewrite the original link on the next sync operation.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 for every new responder module that you want to add to the selected controller.

If the module you selected is a responder (LampLinc, Thermostat Adapter, KeypadLinc, SwitchLinc, etc.), then you can add or edit controllers:

If you want to add a controller of the selected responder module, then press the New Link to Controller button. Or, if you want to change the settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.) used by the selected module in a controller's scene, then select the controller module's link in the table with the Link to Controller Device column title.
Choose the controller module's device name from the On controller popup control (ex: RemoteLinc).
Choose the button or group number that identifies the controller scene for which you want the responder to listen (ex: RemoteLinc button #3) from the broadcast of button/group number popup control.
When responding to a scene command, most modules will control the main load (light or appliance) connected to that module. For these modules (SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc, etc.) you can specify the exact brightness you want for that module as well as a duration for how quickly the module should go to that brightness. Some modules will have different options. For example, when a KeypadLinc is responding to a scene command, it can turn one of the secondary button LEDs on instead of controlling the main load, or the thermostat module can respond to a scene command by changing both the thermostat operation mode and the current cool and heat setpoint temperatures.
Optionally turn on the Persistent checkbox to force this link to automatically be restored whenever either the responder module or controller module is synced. If the modules are ever reset, replaced, or have this link modified, then Indigo will automatically rewrite the original link on the next sync operation.
Repeat steps 1 through 5 for every new controller module you want to add for the selected responder.

Last, have Indigo write all of your link changes to the remote modules:

Press the Sync Now button to have Indigo immediately write all changed links to the remote modules.

OR

Press the Close (Sync Later) button to close the link editor window and write the changes to the modules at a later time. When you are ready to write the changes to the remote modules, select Start Sync INSTEON Device Links… from the Interface menu, and then press the press the Sync Changes Only button.

inst_remote_device_links · 2009/02/11 18:06 · Jay Martin

So, now you should have an overview of how device linking works. The next thing we'll discuss is an Indigo INSTEON scene.

Defining Indigo INSTEON Scenes

INSTEON scenes (also called groups) can be used to control multiple INSTEON modules, such as light switch modules, lamp or appliance plug-in modules, and thermostat modules, all in unison. For example, you could create a home theatre lighting scene that turns off all lighting in your media room, except for a few sconce side lights which are set to 20% brightness. You can create lighting scenes for any activity you desire: dining, entertaining, sleeping, reading in bed, emergency, etc.

Indigo can remotely create scenes in the computer interface (PowerLinc) that control multiple remote modules. Indigo automatically creates the links to define the scene in both the PowerLinc and most remote modules. This means you do not have to press-and-hold the button on either the PowerLinc or most remote modules. Indigo will do it all remotely for you with a single press of the Sync Now button.

Once Indigo writes the links defining the scene to the PowerLinc and remote modules, you can execute the scene from any Trigger Action, Time/Date Action, or Action Group using a Send INSTEON Group / Scene Command action. In this respect, the PowerLinc is acting as a Controller with 250 buttons, and Indigo is actually performing the equivalent of pressing the PowerLinc's buttons.

This How-to level of difficulty is Moderate.

Defining the Scene

First, specify which PowerLinc Group/Scene number you want to use:

Choose Manage PowerLinc Links… from the Interface menu.
Select a PowerLinc Group/Scene number to use for the scene. Use 1 if this is your first scene.
Optionally enter a PowerLinc Group/Scene name in the edit field (ex: “reading in bed”).

Next, create a new link for every responder module in the scene:

If you want to add a new responder module to the scene, then press the New Link to Responder button. Or, if you want to change the settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.) of an existing responder module in the scene, then select that module's link in the table in the top-half of the window.
Choose the responder module's device name from the responder popup control.
When responding to a scene command most modules will control the main load (light or appliance) connected to that module. For these modules (SwitchLinc, ToggleLinc, LampLinc, etc.) you can specify the exact brightness you want for that module as well as a duration for how quickly the module should go to that brightness. Some modules will have different options. For example, when a KeypadLinc is responding to a scene command it can turn one of the secondary button LEDs on instead of controlling the main load, or the thermostat module can respond to a scene command by changing both the thermostat operation mode and the current cool and heat setpoint temperatures.
Optionally turn on the Persistent checkbox to force this link to automatically be restored whenever the responder module is synced. If the responder module is ever reset, replaced, or has this link modified, then Indigo will automatically rewrite the original link into the device when it is next synced.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 for every new module you want to add to the scene.

Last, have Indigo write all of your link changes to both the PowerLinc and the remote modules:

Press the Sync Now button to have Indigo immediately write all changed links to the PowerLinc and remote modules.

OR

Press the Close (Sync Later) button to close the link editor window and write the changes to the modules at a later time. When you are ready to write the changes to the PowerLinc and remote modules select Start Sync Device Links… from the Interface menu, and then press the press the Sync Changes Only button.

You can test the scene after the links are written by using the Send On and Send Off buttons.

Executing the Scene

The Indigo scene can now be executed from any Trigger Action, Time/Date Action, or Action Group:

Create a Trigger Action, Time/Date Action, or an Action Group.
Select the Actions panel inside the edit window.
Select Send INSTEON Group / Scene Command from the action Type popup item.
Use the Send popup item to select which scene command to send:
- Group On will command all of the responder modules to their scene-specific brightness using their scene-specific ramp rate duration, if any.
- Group On to 100% (instant / ignore rate) will set the brightness of dimmable modules to 100% immediately, ignoring any ramp rate duration.
- Group Off will turn off all of the responder modules using their scene-specific ramp rate duration, if any.
- Group Off (instant / ignore rate) will turn off all of the modules immediately, ignoring any ramp rate duration.
Select the scene number defined previously (see above) from the Group/Scene popup item.

Note you can press the Add/Edit Device to this Group/Scene button to add a new responder module to the currently selected scene, or you can double-click a device in the scene list to edit its settings (brightness, ramp rate duration, etc.).

inst_indigo_scenes · 2009/02/11 22:32 · Jay Martin