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venfree/Wiki/KNX Planning – Process from Start to Commissioning

KNX Planning – Process from Start to Commissioning

A KNX installation should be fully planned before devices are ordered and cables installed. The planning process covers five phases: requirements analysis, design, device selection, ETS configuration and commissioning.

Phase 1–3: Requirements, Design, Device Selection

Requirements analysis: Which rooms will be KNX-controlled? Which functions per room (lighting, blinds, heating, presence)? Control via push button, app or voice? Security requirements?

Design: plan topology (number of lines, line couplers), define GA scheme, dimension distribution board (DIN units), sketch cable routing. Device selection: channels per device vs. required channels, manufacturer mix, cost calculation, venfree automates this step from the room plan.

Phase 4–5: ETS Configuration and Commissioning

ETS configuration: create project, import devices (.knxprod), set parameters, assign GAs, link COs. Then: plausibility check (DPT warnings, missing flags, duplicate GAs).

Commissioning: assign physical addresses (programming button), download application programs, test all functions (bus monitor). Documentation: back up .knxproj, export GA list, handover to owner.

Key Facts

  • Complete planning before installing cables
  • Defining the GA scheme upfront prevents errors
  • venfree automates device selection from the room plan
  • ETS Professional required for download
  • Back up .knxproj after commissioning, always

Related Articles

KNX ETS – the Engineering Tool Software
The KNX Engineering Tool Software (ETS) is the only official tool for configuring and commissioning KNX projects. Developed and maintained by the KNX Association, it runs on Windows.
KNX Commissioning
KNX commissioning is the step where ETS writes the finished configuration into the physical devices. It requires physical or IP access to the KNX bus and ETS Professional.
KNX Topology
KNX TP networks are hierarchically structured: devices form a line, lines are grouped into areas, areas are connected via the backbone. This structure supports up to 14,400 devices in a pure TP network.
KNX Group Address
A KNX group address (GA) is a logical address that links communication objects (COs) of different devices. Whatever is written to a GA is received by all other COs bound to that GA, the publish-subscribe principle of KNX.
KNX Project File (.knxproj)
A .knxproj file contains the complete configuration of a KNX installation: building structure, all devices, all group addresses, all parameterisations and all GA-CO links. It is the central backup for every KNX installation.

Related Functions

KNX Switch Actuator
Compare devices →
KNX Dimming Actuator
Compare devices →
KNX Blind Actuator
Compare devices →
KNX Heating Actuator
Compare devices →

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