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Socket Outlet Positioning Guide

MK Electric
MK Electric Socket Outlet Positioning Guide

Introduction

Echo™ is an innovative range of entirely wireless, batteryless and self powered switches that are effortless to install and commission.

Ideal for areas needing to rearrange space periodically e.g. commercial offices or those where the invasive channeling of walls isn’t feasible or permitted, such as historic buildings or glass partition walls.

The MK echo™ switches are RF transmitters which communicate with Switch Receivers. It is the Switch Receivers that actually switch the mains power.

Echo ™ Switch Transmitters send an RF signal at 868.3 MHz. The unique feature of these products is that the signal transmission is made without the need for mains power, or batteries.

Switch Receivers are mains failure sensitive, i.e. they will function under all normal conditions but will switch off in the event of a power cut or dramatic interruption in mains voltage.

Based on the physical principle of the propagation of radio waves, certain basic conditions should be observed. The following simple recommendations are provided to ensure successful installation and reliable operation of a robust radio network.

Note: a field strength test measurement should be carried out prior to each installation to ensure complete reliability.

Principles of Radio Signals in Buildings

Radio signals are electromagnetic waves; hence the signal becomes weaker the further it travels.

Please note that RF signals decrease in strength by certain materials found in the general area between the transmitted signal and the receiver.

While radio waves can penetrate a wall, they are dampened more than on a direct line-of-sight path. A few examples of different types of wall and the realistic typical reduction in typical reduction in signal strength that can be seen are:

Principles of Radio Signals in Buildings

In practice, this means that the material used in a building must be taken into consideration during any assessment for radio coverage.
Here are some typical guideline figures when using Logic Plus style Switch Transmitters with plastic frontplates:

Technical information associated wtih MK Electric

All other Switch Transmitters in the range, that have metal frontplates, do of course cause a reduction in the signal strength and therefore the transmission distance. Generally, the line of sight distance in a hall is reduced from 100m described above for Logic Plus, down to 30m.

Screening

The main factors decreasing coverage include:
A Switch Transmitter mounted on metal surfaces (typically 30% loss of range).

Switches with metal frontplates (typically 60% loss of range).
Hollow lightweight walls filled with insulating wool on metal foil.
Inserted ceilings with panels made of metal or carbon fibre.
Lead glass or glass with metallised coating, steel furniture.

Please note: Fire-safety walls, elevator shafts, staircases and supply areas should be considered as screening.

Possible screening problems

Antenna Installation

Switch Receivers should not be installed on the same wall as the Switch Transmitter. When positioned near a wall, the radio waves are likely to be subject to interfering dispersions or reflections.

Antenna installation details

Use of Repeaters

In the case of poor reception, it may be helpful to use a Repeater. The echo Repeater does not require any configuration (e.g. programming) and will become operational simply by connecting it to the mains supply.
A Repeater has similar requirements in being positioned as a Switch Receiver, i.e. it too has an antenna and needs to receive the signal from the Switch Transmitter and be within range of the Switch Receiver with which it is intended to communicate.

While planning, it may be worth considering retrofitting the system with a Repeater. Do not use too many Repeaters in a given installation as this is counterproductive (higher costs, cross-signal interference etc.)
Field Strength Indicator

The mobile Field Strength Indicator enables the installer to determine the ideal mounting positions for Switch Transmitters and Receivers. Furthermore, faulty connections of devices already installed can be checked. The unit shows the field intensities of radio signals received and any interfering radio signals in the 868MHz range.

Using the Field Strength Indicator, allows the installer to review the strength of received signals at the proposed receiver locations – to ensure reliable operation you should aim to have consistent GREEN or AMBER signals on the indicator.

If the signal is not good enough in the initial layout, consider rearranging the position of the Switch Receiver to see if the signal strength can be improved.

MK Electric
The Arnold Centre
Paycoke Road
Basildon
Essex
SS14 3EA

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Socket Outlet Positioning Guide

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