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Getting to know: Philips Dynalite motorised blind control

Motorised blinds are often one of the most appreciated third-party products, by clients, to be controlled in a home, as the traditional alternate of having to manually open and close them is cumbersome.

There are a few typical ways of controlling motorised blinds with a Philips Dynalite system, using specific controllers:

  • DDRC810DT-GL SPDT Relay controller
  • DDMC802 Multipurpose modular controller + DGCM102 Motorised curtain module
  • DDNG485 – Configured as a Somfy integration device

DDRC810DT-GL

The Philips Dynalite DDRC810DT-GL is ideal for controlling bi-directional motors, such as curtain and blind motors. The voltage free changeover SPDT output relays are perfect for controlling bi-directional motors.

Whist being an eight channel relay, a single motor will require two channels, and will typically control four single motorised blinds.

Philips have a valuable guide for Blind, curtain and motor control with Dynalite relay controllers, that can be downloaded. 

The downloadable installation instructions provide clear instruction for wiring of the relay controller for motorised blinds.

Specification Sheet
Installation Instructions

DDMC802 + DGCM102

The Philips Dynalite DDMC802 provides up to eight configurable output channels, controlled by up to four interchangeable control modules. A selection of control modules is available for a variety of load types. Specifically, the DGCM102 curtain control module provides control of curtains, blinds and other motorised window treatments.

Although the DDMC802 is an eight channel controller, it needs to be populated with specific modules to be functional. It has four slots to be filled, with various modules requiring one or two slots. When used a blind controller, the DGCM102 requires a single slot, so can therefore control up to four blinds.

The downloadable installation instructions provide clear instruction on Page 3 for wiring of the multipurpose controller for motorised blinds.

Specification Sheet
Installation Instructions

DDNG485

The Philips Dynalite DDNG485 is a flexible network communications bridge designed for RS-485 networks. The DDNG485 can route DyNet to third-party systems such as audio-visual, Somfy blind controllers,  and building automation systems, providing an integrated approach to total building control and energy management.

The downloadable installation instructions doesn’t specifically provide blind control instructions, but Philips have a DyNet to Somfy gateway User Guide as a valuable resource for integrating Somfy RTS blinds, that can be downloaded from my shared Dropbox link.

If using the DDNG485 for blind integration, I recommend partnering with a reputable blind supplier who can assist with configuring their Somfy RTS controller, that will greatly help with your system. 

Specification Sheet
Installation Instructions

Let me know

I’m interested to know how you do motorised blinds, and what blind products and systems you have experience integrating with.

This series of articles focuses on products from the Philips Dynalite networked lighting control portfolio. Many industry professionals regard Philips Dynalite as being the world’s best lighting control system, that I have represented with Lightmoves for many years. SimonLakey

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What is a smart home?

The words ‘Smart Home’ (sometimes known as home automation, intelligent home etc.), gets mentioned a lot, and can be confusing for many.

I avoid using ‘smart home’ (or variations of), as it often implies the addition of unnecessary, complicated, cumbersome electronic technology solutions, that might require a rocket science degree to operate, and an unlimited financial budget to implement.

All homes have the ability to be smart, on different levels. Keeping in mind that technology doesn’t neccessarily have to be electronic, houses have evolved to incorporate various technologies, and have become more electronic as our awareness to have them better connected to ourselves and the outside world is realised.

All homes have multiple services and utilities; electricity, gas, water, security, television, internet, etc. that can be integarted and connected to be provide better comfort, convenience, security, and energy efficiency.

Imagine your home being customised based on what you are doing at particular times of the day: Lighting automatically dims to provide a relaxing ambience at night, or becomes brighter for dedicated tasks. Heating and cooling automatically turns on and adjusts to the optimal temperature. Your home can automatically adapt to make your living environment more comfortable.

We are very predictable in our daily lives – from when we wake up, exercise, go to work, return home, eat, relax, and sleep. Many systems in and around the home can be automated, based on our daily routines: Blinds and curtains can open at sunrise, and close at night, or close when it’s too bright or too hot. Lights can turn on when you arrive home at night, or turn off when a room is vacant or nobody is home, providing new levels of convenience.

The security and safety of your home, family, and property can be greatly enhanced. Outdoor lighting can automatically illuminate your property to deter unwanted activity, and turn on at night when there is movement. Keyless entry frees you from fumbling for keys when you come home, with automated lighting illuminating your home. Video cameras can not only record, but provide personal alerts to notify you in real time when there is irregular activity, even when you are not at home.

A home can know exactly when it is day and night, summer and winter, or when it is occupied. Power and lights can automatically turn on and off, and adjust to the optimal brightness, only when needed. Heating and cooling self-adjusts to maintain ideal comfort levels. Your home’s energy usage can be optimised to incorporate alternate energy such as solar, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging. Controlling power improves energy efficiency – saving money, and reducing carbon footprints.

By definition, a home that is smart or intelligent, can change it’s state in response to various situations. With many homes already having various technology products and systems, the benefits of having the right technologies integrated can be easily realised, to seamlessly connect our homes and lifestyle.

With developments in artifical intelligence and machine learning, we are getting closer to having technologies learn and respond, based on our habits, routines, and past experiences. For our homes, this will be the next exciting step to improve our lifestyle.

In the same way that cars evolved to incorporate electronic technologies, similarly, houses will follow. Electric windows, automated heating and cooling, handsfree communication, and improved vehicle safety are examples that are so common that they are now standard in modern cars.

Features and benefits of home and lifestyle technologies are endless, as they can be customised for your lifestyle. With the right advice, technology can greatly benefit our lifestyle, with improvements in comfort, convenience, security, energy efficiency.

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A problem with smart homes

A problem with most smart homes or intelligent homes is that they are mostly neither smart or intelligent.

A searched and returned definition of smart or intelligent, in regards to a home or building goes something like this:

“Able to vary its state or action in response to varying situations and past experience.” – Oxford Dictionary

Most so called ‘smart’ homes rarely vary their state in response to varying situations, if at all.

As it is, most ‘smart’ homes are really connected homes with electronic products and systems perhaps connected to the internet, and possibly connected to each other to provide a level of home automation.

Although convenient, connected homes with their automation systems can be overburdened with superfluous user interfaces – wall switches, touch screens, mobile apps, and even voice control devices that electronically turn on lights or raise and lower blinds etc.

The functionality provided by these devices should not be confused as being smart or intelligent, neither should the scripted functionally of a ‘welcome’ or ‘goodbye’ (or similar) scene that turns multiple lights and devices on or off.

Many connected home user interfaces have little consideration for the user experience, and are electronic versions of an analogue interface – digital analogues.

In a true smart home, technology systems are fully integrated with the form and function of the home. The total user experience is considered during the architectural design process, not after it.

Traditional manual controls, and even so called ‘smart’ controls are minimised, if not removed, to be automated based on needs, presence, state of the home, and conditions of the outside world.

Don’t let your new home be just another connected home when it should be a smart home.