Using the Motion Sensor 360 - Volt Free with Rako
The Faradite Motion Sensor 360 range is compatible with several lighting control systems including Rako. In this blog we take a detailed look at integrating our Motion Sensor 360 - Volt Free with Rako.
The Faradite Motion Sensor 360 Volt Free has a silent volt free relay which closes for the duration of motion plus ~1second when motion is sensed. When connected to a volt free interface on a Rako system, the signal can be utilised in Rasoft to provide a great range of lighting automation in your Rako project.
There are several products in the Motion Sensor 360 range but only our volt free motion sensors are designed to work with a Rako lighting system.
Wiring the Sensors
We recommend using a CAT cable (either CAT5 / CAT6 / CAT7) for connecting Faradite sensors to a Rako system, but you can also use stranded cable. If stranded cable is used then you will need to insert the supplied sim card remover tool into the motion sensor connector before inserting the wire; inserting this tool simply opens the spring-loaded connector and prevents the cable from rucking up.
The Motion Sensor 360 Volt Free provides a normally open contact which should be connected to a volt free input on the Rako system. By default, Rako expect that all sensors are normally open so there is no need to change the default settings in Rasoft.
There are two ways in which a Motion Sensor 360 Volt Free can connect to a Rako system.
For wireless installations you can use the RAMVR which connects to the rest of the Rako installation via the RAKOM wireless protocol. The RAMVR is designed to interface low voltage volt free PIRs such as the Motion Sensor 360 Volt Free. The RAMVR is powered directly from 240V and provides a 12V power supply and a volt free interface for Faradite sensors.
PLEASE NOTE: The RAMVR does not fit through the 35mm hole required for the Motion Sensor 360 range, you therefore have to install the RAMVR in the ceiling before plasterboard is added; unless there is a downlight or similar near the motion sensor location where the RAMVR can be inserted into the celling after the plasterboard has been added.
For wired installations you can use the WAVFR which connects to the rest of the Rako installation via the RAKOM bus. This is perfect if you have the WAVFR in a central location with each sensor wired back in a star fashion.
See below the number of sensors that can be connected to each interface:
First, we will look at how to connect the Faradite Motion Sensor 360 – Volt Free to the Rako RAMVR.
The RAMVR has a built-in 12V power supply that is enough to power the sensor. We can therefore simply provide the RAMVR with 240V power and connect the sensor as per the diagram below. The volt free relay should be connected between the Input and Com terminals of the low voltage PIR interface.
If the property is a new build or there is a chance to run cable back to a central location, then you can use the WAVFR to connect up to 10 Faradite Motion Sensor 360 – Volt Free to the Rako system.
The WAVFR does not have a built-in power supply, we therefore recommend using a separate 5-24V power supply to power the sensors. You can use the RAPSU Rako power supply to power the sensors if desired or any other 5-24V supply. We recommend allowing for 10ma per sensor when specifying the power supply.
We would love to see examples of where you have used the Faradite Motion Sensor 360 – Volt Free to automate a Rako lighting system.
Why not share an Instagram story (@FARADITE) showing us of what you have automated using our sensors…?
The Faradite Team