Fibaro Dimmer as on off with conventional dimmer light switch

Other Devices & Integrations Lighting & Load Control
1

Hi there everyone

I was wondering if this is possible:

1 - Can I turn a Fibaro dimmer unit (500w) into just an on / off switch - i.e. disable the dimming and make it show up as an on/off device in vera
2 - could I then fit the on/off Fibaro to a conventional analogue dimmer switch - and use the fibaro to turn the light on and off - but be able to choose the brightness by twisting the knob in the traditional way?

Many thanks

2

Hi @Mrsdoubtfire

I believe the answer is no on both counts,

The device type and services are set automatically with the associated classes etc so I don’t think changing the device type to just a relay would work very well…

As for connecting to a convential dimmer, I seem to recall the Fibaro dimmer is only able to work with either a standard or rocker type switch. I would think the variable voltage changes a normal dimmer would put on the module would not do it much good.

Just my interpretation/understanding…

3

Ahh - right.

Thanks

If I was to get a Fibaro Relay Insert - would that be ok with a traditional dimmer light switch?

Many thanks parkerc

4

PS

Also - would turning the dimmer switch on switch on the Fibaro Relay insert?

( - in the same way that I can use a Fibaro dimmer with a bistable switch)

Cheers

5

The Fibaro dimmer module has numerous configuration parameters(see manual). Using the various parameters to set the minimum On state to 99% with no ramping you can cause the dimmer to dim only within the 0% and 99%-100% range. This will make it behave like an On/Off relay for most applications. But, understand that it is still dimming and not a true relay. Therefore, as @parkerc already said, it will still show up in Vera as a slider/dimmer.

If your application needs a relay it is best to use a relay rather than a dimmer module.

Only two types of wall switches can be used with the Fibaro modules. A bistable(flip flop/toggle) switch or a monostable(momentary push button) switch. Dimmer switches(sliding or rotary) CANNOT be used to activate the Fibaro modules.

6

Thanks Z Waver !

How about if I connected a fibaro relay module to a traditional ‘push turn on, twist to dim’ style dimmer

Could I not set it up as as a bistable switch as I do else where in the house with fibaro dimmers - and it behave just like them?

When you push the dimmer knob in - it clicks and turns on the lights - isn’t that just the same as switching a bistable switch on?

Many thanks

7

[quote=“mrsdoubtfire, post:6, topic:178174”]How about if I connected a fibaro relay module to a traditional ‘push turn on, twist to dim’ style dimmer

Could I not set it up as as a bistable switch as I do else where in the house with fibaro dimmers - and it behave just like them?

When you push the dimmer knob in - it clicks and turns on the lights - isn’t that just the same as switching a bistable switch on?[/quote]

The best way to use a Fibaro dimmer is(as shown in the manual):
Line ==== FibaroDimmer === Light
||
ConventionalSwitch(NOT Dimmer Momentary is best)

You can also do this:
Line ==== FibaroRelay ==== ConventionalDimmer === Light
However, this is undesirable because if someone turns off the ConventionalDimmer you can no longer control the light remotely.

You should NOT do this:
Line ==== ConventionalDimmer === FibaroRelayOrDimmer === Light
or
Line ==== FibaroDimmer === Light
||
ConventionalDimmer
There are certain scenarios where this will seem to work for On/Off. Don’t do it!

8

Thanks Z Waver!

If I go for this version:

You can also do this:
Line ==== FibaroRelay ==== ConventionalDimmer === Light
However, this is undesirable because if someone turns off the ConventionalDimmer you can no longer control the light remotely.

Can I not set it up like have my conventional bistable switches - which do allow the the light to be controlled remotely irrespective of the switch position

Apologies if I am being slow here!

Cheers

9

You keep skipping back and forth from regular switches to dimmers and I don’t really understand what you’re asking here. If you are asking if you can do this:

                   Line ==== FibaroDimmer === Light
                                            ||
     ConventionalSwitch =======ConventionalSwitch

Yes.

If you mean anything else, then no. Have you looked at the manual for the Fibaros? I linked to it earlier in the thread. It describes and diagrams what you can do.

10

Found this post while searching something else. As a reply to the first question:

1 - Can I turn a Fibaro dimmer unit (500w) into just an on / off switch - i.e. disable the dimming and make it show up as an on/off device in vera

Answer is yes. Config param #10 is used for this. Set it to 0 for classic relay action (on/off switch).

Reference: FIBARO UNIVERSAL DIMMER 500W FGD211 v1.4 - v1.8 OPERATING MANUAL
Configuration Parameter no. 10 - Time of Automatic moving the Dimmer between the extreme dimming values.
Default value: 1
Options for changing parameter: 0-255 (0ms ? 2.5s)
0 - this value disables the smooth change in light intensity
NOTE value 0 is required for inductive and capacitive devices unsuitable for dimming, (e.g. fluorescent lamps , motors etc.)