Buttons, Sensors and Inputs

While the relays in boneIO are the "hands" of your home, digital inputs are its "senses". Proper connection of buttons and sensors is key to making your home respond instantly and flawlessly.

1. Control Buttons

In a smart home based on boneIO, buttons don't physically interrupt the 230V circuit. They only send a low-voltage signal to the controller, which then executes the programmed action.

• Button Type: We recommend using momentary (bell-press) buttons.
  • Why? Thanks to boneIO, one button can handle multiple actions: short click (light), double click (blinds), or long press ("Goodnight" scene – turning everything off in the house).
• Wiring: We use U/FTP Cat. 5e twisted pair cable. We use one pair of wires per button - one wire as signal to the IN input, the other as common ground or + GND/VCC. (ground control is recommended as the safer option)

2. Presence and Motion Sensors

These are what make a home truly "smart".

• Motion Sensor (PIR): Good practically everywhere. Detects movement in rooms.
• Presence Sensor (mmWave): Much more sensitive – can detect a person sitting still on the couch or reading a book. Ideal for living room, office, or bathroom.
• Connection: Most sensors require power (usually 12V-24V from the cabinet) and one signal wire returning to a binary input in boneIO.

3. Reed Switches (Opening Sensors)

These are small magnetic sensors mounted in windows, doors, and locks.

• Applications: Alarm, HVAC blocking when window is open, notification about unclosed gate.
• Important Note (from practice): Standard reed switches require 2 wires. However, modern window hardware often includes reed switches with tilt detection function – such models require a 4-wire cable.
• Wiring: 2x0.5mm wire or a spare pair in twisted cable.

4. Communication Buses (CAN and Modbus)

Not everything needs to be connected in a "star". For more advanced sensors (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality), boneIO offers bus support.

• CAN Bus: Works great for connecting many sensors distributed throughout the house with a single cable.
• How to lay it? Unlike the star topology, here we run twisted pair serially – from sensor to sensor. This saves space in the cabinet and reduces cable usage.
• Best Practice for Temperature: We recommend running twisted pair between main temperature measurement points. If the temperature sensor is to be located under a button, remember that temperature and humidity in a wall box may differ from the central part of the room, so hiding the sensor out of sight is not recommended.
• Applications: Presence sensors, temperature sensors in every room.

Best Mounting Practices

Box Preparation

We recommend using deep boxes (or with a side pocket), even if there's no electronics inside. Twisted pair is delicate, and extra space will allow comfortable cable slack placement and prevent kinking.

Ground (GND) is Fundamental

With many buttons in one location (e.g., 3-gang frame), you can connect the ground/+ together and use it to "power" individual buttons. This greatly simplifies cabinet wiring.

Resistance and Interference

Because we use shielded twisted pair (FTP) and separate routes from 230V cables (remember the 50cm rule?), we avoid "ghosts" in the system – lights turning on by themselves due to voltage induction in signal cables.

One Box - One Twisted Pair

You can never have too many wires in a box. It's recommended that when there are 2 boxes in one location, at least 2 twisted pairs should be run to them. This will allow adding sensors in the future.