Wireless Kinetic Light Switches

[yartin]

Hi

I used one of these Quinetec (not for sale in Germany) light switches in 2020 when I changed a door opening, these were easy to install no wiring or battery required, look smart, after 4 years still working very happy with it.
Now selling on ebay similar unbranded and obviously much cheaper.

Q1. Are electricians / DIYers in UK installing many of them, are they becoming popular? Any issues with them/ disadvantages?
Q2. Why 433MHZ?
TIA

 

[SUNRAY]

Yes indeed Why 433MHz when I have radio licenses for other purposes including specific spot frequencies licensed by Ofcom at 443.

 

[ericmark]

I thought PMR433 was licence exempt?

 

[SUNRAY]

I thought PMR433 was licence exempt?

Yes it is but the *ickhea*s slapped it right in the middle of a well used licensed band, basically I have free use of 430 to 440 at 400Watts with caveats/restrictions and as part of that I have a EDIT:specifically licensed spot frequency right on the edge of the license free chunk. Oh yes it can be great fun watching people with really 'posh' cars not being able to open the doors or start them, equally it can be *lood* infuriating when burglar alarm/central heating etc corrupts our legitimate data systems for the emergency planning departments of council/government.

 

[ericmark]

I have free use of 430 to 440 at 400Watts

That seems to ring a bell, seems to think my licence also covered that frequency except for an area of London, but not used 70 cm in years.

 

[yartin]

Why Quinetecs are "not for sale to Germany"?

Do you have to pair switch & receiver every time mains is turned off?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Why Quinetecs are "not for sale to Germany"?

Do you have to pair switch & receiver every time mains is turned off?

1. It's some kind of licensing deal involving German company EnOcean in some way.
2. No, pairing is maintained.

 

[SUNRAY]

Why Quinetecs are "not for sale to Germany"?

I don't believe they are "not for sale to Germany" however the frequency there has preserved for the existing licensed services, in the same way that burglar alarms, car key fobs etc etc are supposed to be on different frequencies.

Do you have to pair switch & receiver every time mains is turned off?

 

[yartin]

I don't believe they are "not for sale to Germany" however the frequency there has preserved for the existing licensed services, in the same way that burglar alarms, car key fobs etc etc are supposed to be on different frequencies.

That's what it says on tlc-diect.co.uk website for all Quinetec products. Enocean use different frequency 2.44 GHZ.

 

[SUNRAY]

That's what it says on tlc-diect.co.uk website for all Quinetec products. Enocean use different frequency 2.44 GHZ.

My understanding of the situation is Germany dont allow license free kit to be used in 433MHz, they allow 868MHz for the purpose (exactly the same frequencies/specification as UK). EnOcean along with other kinetic and non kinetic devices are available in 868MHz band for the purpose. I understand Quinetic products (possibly a limited range) are also available for use in 868MHz and 315MHz although never had any dealing with or looked for them.

TLC along with others will only stock the one frequency range to avoid complications, do you blame them?

Many 'smart' systems use WiFi as an alternative and I am aware that is included within the EnOcean system (which is vastly bigger than kinetic switching, I believe that's a more recent product range for them).

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

TLC along with others will only stock the one frequency range to avoid complications, do you blame them?

Well, Quinetic is ONLY sold through TLC.

Germany does allow 433MHz up to 10mW. Can't find a statement what power the Quinetic transmitters work at.

 

[SUNRAY]

Well, Quinetic is ONLY sold through TLC.

So 'they' claim, I purchased my one and only Quinetic from Edwardes and yes it was a retail packed Quinetic.

Germany does allow 433MHz up to 10mW. Can't find a statement what power the Quinetic transmitters work at.

When did they start allowing that, it didn't used to be the case.

If that is now correct and the specification is the same as elsewhere then I see no reason Quinetic is still excluded from use in Germany.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

So 'they' claim, I purchased my one and only Quinetic from Edwardes and yes it was a retail packed Quinetic.

When did they start allowing that, it didn't used to be the case.

If that is now correct and the specification is the same as elsewhere then I see no reason Quinetic is still excluded from use in Germany.

I agree that other people sell them. When I looked, everyone other than TLC had considerably higher prices, so I assumed they bought them from TLC. Edwardes don't seem to do them at all, but instead offer from MK "A range of switches and controls which are self powered and enabled by EnOcean technology". So I suspect things changed recently. I still think it's a brand licensing thing.

I got the information about 433MHz from Wikipedia. I don't have any closer knowledge.

 

[yartin]

Will it work if switch on first floor bedroom and receiver in the loft, ie: plasterboard ceiling in between?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Will it work if switch on first floor bedroom and receiver in the loft, ie: plasterboard ceiling in between?

It should do, but there's only one way to find out.