How link 3 way or 4 way switches through Isy99 (newbie)

[Plau]

How link 3 way or 4 way switches through Isy99, real (physically wired) or Virtual Multi-Way, it's for controlling a ceiling lamp

I don't found no documentation about that.

I tried trough scene but nothing works, I'm just able to do something when I linked manually the switches and he seems to be not the best way with ISY. Which one is the controller and wich one must be the responder or both.

If someone could explain how it works, thank you in advance

[oberkc]

There is no "physical" way to wire insteon multi-way switches. One simply attaches all switches to hot and neutral. One (or more) of the switches should be wired to the load from the switch red wire.

 

Once installed, create an ISY-99 scene, adding all switches to the scene as "controller".

[mrkenn]

http://wiki.smarthome.com/index.php?tit ... ay_Circuit

[Xathros]

Create a scene in the ISY and add all of those switches as controllers to that scene. If it's only one ceiling light, then only one of the switches should be physically wired to the light. If multiple lights, then the other lights could either wired to other switches or could share the one. Whatever works best for your situation.

 

 

-Xathros

[austin_john]

Tagging on to an existing thread here with a newbie question.

 

I am installing my first Switchlinc with multiple switches. It is a 3-way circuit with two 2477D Switchlinc dual-band dimmers. I have an ISY994i controller with a three existing outlets/switches.

 

In the Insteon installation guide it instructs you to create a group (containing the two switches) manually (using Set buttons on each switch). The ISY Console also has a "Group Devices" function.

 

My question is whether there is a difference or a preferred method for grouping the switches.

 

Thanks for any assistance!

[LeeG]

First, do not use the Set button to do linking when using an ISY.

 

The Group Devices function has nothing to do with linking devices. When used with a KeypadLinc for example, the Secondary nodes are grouped under the Primary node regardless of the node names assigned. There will be a plus or minus sign to the left of the KPL Primary node which will expand or compress the display of the KPL nodes.

 

To link the devices in a 3-way configuration, define one ISY Scene. Add both the switches as Controllers of the one ISY Scene. The ISY wlll cross-link the devices.

[austin_john]

Hi Lee - thanks for the reply.

 

First, do not use the Set button to do linking when using an ISY.

To link new devices to the ISY, I have used "Link Management / Start Linking" in the ISY's Administrative Console and then press SET on each device to add to ISY. This is the method in the ISY user manual and has worked fine. Not sure if there is a different way to use the SET button to add devices that you are stating not to use?

 

To link the devices in a 3-way configuration, define one ISY Scene. Add both the switches as Controllers of the one ISY Scene. The ISY will cross-link the devices.

So, add each device independently and create a Scene containing both devices?

 

Lastly - so I can understand the system better, if I had manually "Grouped" the devices per the Insteon installation manual, would this have any effect when I add them to the ISY? Or would the ISY ignore this and I still would add them independently (and then create a scene)?

 

Thanks again!

[LeeG]

Using the Set button with Start Linking to identify the device to the ISY is fine. That is how it is done when using Start Linking. The Set button press is not actually creating a link. The ISY creates the links as part of the Start Linking process. My comment about not using the Set button for linking is following the device Quick Start Guide and User Guide which describes using the Set button on the Controller device and Responder device to link the two devices together. That should not be done as the ISY is not aware of those links and will eventually overlay or delete them. Sorry for the confusion, I should have more explicit.

 

Yes, add each device separately. Then Drag/Drop the device to the ISY Scene definition or right click the device node selecting Add to Scene .... Each device is added to the Scene as a Controller.

 

There is no advantage to linking the two devices together before adding the devices to the ISY. There is additional work when done that way. The ISY will define an ISY Scene, giving a name of Scene xxx where xxx is number. The Scene name has to be renamed to be meaningful. Also if there are other links in the devices other devices can be added to the ISY or broken links can exist. Best to never Set button link outside of the ISY.

[austin_john]

Thanks, as a new user it's not always clear which instructions to use - Insteon or ISY. Your response helps considerably.

[oberkc]

Thanks, as a new user it's not always clear which instructions to use - Insteon or ISY

 

The instructions that come with each insteon are written based upon the assumption that there is NO ISY. Given that you have one, you pretty much ignore them and follow the UDI wiki and users manual for all link management activities.