Time-based scenes

Modified on Fri, 16 Aug at 11:18 AM

A time-based scene can be used to achieve a different dim level of a scene or activate different lighting scenarios depending on when the time-based scene is activated. A time-based scene has the advantage over a Timer that it can be triggered at random times, therefore only activating scenes when needed. A Time based scene is treated as one complete scene within the Casambi system, regardless of how many basic scenes have been included to construct it. For this reason, the basic scenes contained in the Time based scene must always be carefully considered to avoid potentially undesired scenarios. Time-based scenes are primarily designed to be used in conjunction with presence sensors. Time based scenes cannot trigger other Time Based scenes, but can trigger repeating Animation scenes.


A minimum of two conditions are required for a time based scene to function. A condition is a scenario to be reproduced only if the time based scene is activated during the active period defined for that condition.


To create a time based scene:

  • Select Edit and then the + in the top right corner. Name the scene and select Add a time based scene. Note: At least one basic scene must already exist in order to create a time based scene.
  • Select On all days and set when the first conditions’ active period should start. You can configure from days of the week, time or select based on sunrise or sunset (if you have enabled location). When set, push Done.
  • Set the Fade time for the scene you wish to activate. This will determine how long it takes for the scene to fade in whenever the time-based scene is activated at a time suiting that condition.
  • Select Add a scene to choose the scene to activate. You can also tap on the scene and alter its dimmed level if desired. Remember that the dimming level will be relative to the dimmed level of the original scene.
  • Carry out the same process for the second condition. If you wish to add more conditions select Add a condition.
  • The scene name, icon colour and icon can be set, and the time-based scene can also be hidden from the Scenes tab user view if needed. It will reappear if Edit has been selected.
  • When you have finished editing the Time-based scene, select Done.


Notes:

  • Multiple scenes can be part of a single condition. All scenes contained in one condition must have mutually exclusive luminaires (i.e. Every scene that is part of a single time based scene condition must have different luminaires from every other scene used in the same condition. If they don’t then operation may not be as expected because luminaires may receive multiple conflicting commands simultaneously). 
  • Non-repeating animations cannot be used with time based scenes.
  • If a time based scene is active during the time period when conditions change, the next condition will be automatically set.
  • Since all dimming of a Time based scene is handled within the scene configuration itself, separate dimming of a daylight scene is not possible or required.
  • Since all dimming of a Time based scene is handled within the scene configuration itself, separate dimming of a daylight scene is not possible or required.



Example of a Time based scene


A time based scene (“Kitchen lwr1 timed”) is created to set scene “Kitchen lower 1” dimming level at 40% between 08.00 and 21.00. This is the first condition of the time based scene.


Between 21.00 and 08.00, the dimming level of the same “Kitchen lower 1” scene will be set to 15% (so as not to be too bright if the scene is activated during the night). This is the second condition of the time based scene.


The scene is not active 24 hours / day. Instead, a presence sensor is set to trigger the time based scene “Kitchen lwr1 timed” only when presence is detected. Depending on when the time based scene is triggered, it then sets the dimming level of scene Kitchen lower 1 appropriately.



Examples of why the configuration of each basic scene used in a Time based scene condition is important


The result may differ from what is “desired” depending on the status of ALL luminaires used in EVERY scene used in the Time based scene.


        If each basic scene includes all of the same.                               If each basic scene does NOT include all of

          luminaires (even if those luminaires are off)                               the same luminaires      

 Each condition scene will trigger as expected                               Luminaires not included in a condition scene will

     (e.g., 3 luminaires will dim as expected)                                           trigger to an earlier valid condition state

                                                                                                            (e.g., All 3 lamps will be ON in the last condition)





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