The Loxone Tree Interface allows connecting Tree devices, and is provided by the Miniserver, Miniserver Compact, or Tree Extension.
Table of Contents
- Connecting Tree Devices
- Pairing Tree Devices
- Update and Diagnostics for Tree Devices
- Additional Information
Connecting Tree Devices↑
Up to 50 Tree Devices can be connected to the Tree interface of a Miniserver, or each of the two Branches of a Tree Extension. There must be no connection between different Tree Branches.
The following diagram shows the wiring of several Tree devices connected to two different Branches of a Tree Extension.
The following wiring topologies are possible, at a maximum length of 500m/1640ft:
The Loxone Tree Cable is used for wiring, it contains the Tree communication lines as well as the lines for the 24VDC power supply in the corresponding colors. For devices with higher power requirements such as Tree lighting products, the Tree Cable also contains a pair of wires with 1.5mm² cross-section (AWG16) for power supply.
We recommend running one Tree Cable from the panel per room and then branching off to the individual Tree devices in that room. This corresponds to a Tree topology.
Within the enclosure, panel wire with twisted pairs is used for wiring.
Devices that communicate with each other have to share a common GND. This is necessary if more than one power supply is used. (e.g. in a sub-panel, or if separate power supplies are used for lighting). For this all power supply's GND (negative) have to be interconnected. This connection is crucial for reliable data transmission.
The cable length of max. 500m per tree branch refers purely to the data lines, not to the 24V power supply. For consumers with higher power such as tree lamps or tree dimmers, the achievable cable length is often significantly shorter due to the resulting voltage drop.
If the current flow on the GND line results in a voltage drop too high, this potential difference also affects the tree communication.
To solve this problem, split consumers of higher power over longer distances to several supply lines, or use a supply line with a higher cross-section, or a power supply close to the consumers.
For existing installations, doubling the cross-section of the GND line is often sufficient to eliminate the potential difference.
You can now proceed with pairing the Tree devices.
Pairing Tree Devices↑
To search for Tree devices, first click on a Tree interface in Loxone Config, and then activate Tree Device Search.
The window that opens will list all connected Tree devices that are not yet part of the program:
If you select a device here, it will identify itself in different ways. Devices with a status LED will flash it, lighting products pulse a white light, other devices such as the Loxone Touch emit an audible click. This allows you to assign and name the devices correctly.
Select the desired device, assign a name, room and installation location and add it to the programming using the Pair Device or + button.
The right window lists all the devices that are currently part of the program. You can display them by clicking the button Show my Tree devices. You can also replace an existing device with a new device of the same type that was found in the search. This is useful when a device needs to be replaced or devices are added to a pre-configured program. Select the device to be added and the device to be replaced. By clicking on the button with the arrow pointing right, the old device is replaced with the new one in the program.
To apply the changes, save the program in the Miniserver.
Now the added devices are ready for use and the functions are available in the Periphery Tree in Loxone Config.
The Loxone App, under Settings, also supports searching for and pairing Tree devices.
Update and Diagnostics for Tree Devices↑
If an Update is necessary for a Tree device, they are highlighted orange in Device Status. This often happens after a recent update of the Miniserver or when adding devices with an older firmware version.
The Miniserver automatically updates Tree devices in the background, the devices generally remain operational. However, there can be delays in communication. In rare cases, some functions of Tree devices may not be available until the update is completed.
The following options are available for Diagnostics:
1. The Status LED of a device allows for quick error checks.
Red flashing: No connection to Miniserver via Tree interface, check wiring and Miniserver.
Orange flashing: Connection to Miniserver ok, but device not yet added to the program.
Green flashing (continuous or 3 times, then off): Everything okay, device is online.
Quick red/green flashing: Device was selected in Loxone Config and is identifying.
Not flashing: Normal operation (the status LED is off or was switched off, depending on the device)
2. Tree Diagnostics provides a more detailed analysis. First connect to the Miniserver, select a device with Tree interface, and then click on the button Tree Diagnostics.
The Tree devices are now listed in the Tree Diagnostics window. Diagnostic data is transmitted continuously, and can be used to detect any errors. Any errors are displayed along with suggested solutions.
Temporary errors (e.g. poor contact, potential difference) can also be detected by packet loss.
Troubleshooting:
Depending on the number and type of devices that show errors in diagnostics, the error can be localized. It is helpful to know the wiring of the installation well. Check whether only devices on a particular Branch, devices in a certain room, or devices beyond a certain point in the wiring are affected. This will help localize and identify possible causes such as faulty connections or reversed data lines.
If errors occur only sporadically, monitor Tree Diagnostics for some time. Based on the timing of errors, it may be possible to establish a connection with another event. A missing GND connection can also be the cause for intermittent errors.
Loxone Health Check
The diagnostics of the Miniserver and the Loxone interfaces can be started via the Loxone Health Check:
Additional Information↑
Connecting several Miniservers via Tree Intercommunication