One of the key steps to install your connected home is the configuration of the USB myHome Play Zigbee gateway from Bticino.
1 – PRESENTATION OF THE USB ZIGBEE KEY, MYHOME PLAY
Although the USB radio gateway comes with its user manual, it is best to thoroughly follow this tutorial to set up quickly and efficiently the myHome play radio network of your smarthouse.
According to the manual, you need to download the driver for this USB Zigbee key and install a program. To do so, you also need to create an account with Legrand… but, this is redundant when installing MyOmBox!! I am mentioning it because I have done this and unnecessarily wasted time.
The USB radio myHome play key has two ends, one being the USB connector, and the other comprising of a push-button with 2 LEDs on each side. They allow you to visualize the network traffic and are useful to know the steps for the realization of the Zigbee network, which we will address later.
A small table to understand the keys regarding the flashing of the LEDs on the USB radio Zigbee key.
2 – SETTING UP THE RADIO ZIGBEE NETWORK
We should have a quick look on the elements constituting this network in our connected home. First of all, you have the MyOmBox box, then the USB Zigbee MyHome Play key (from Bticino) and the “connected devices”, such as all plugs, switches or radio-controlled boxes.
You may also order lights, rolling shutters, electric plugs, etc. from the comfort of your home or on the move on your SmartPhone 4G for example. We will review this feature in a separate tutorial.
To implement the basic network, I shall use 3 elements: the MyOmBox box, the USB radio Zigbee key and the radio-controlled plug 088337.
First Step: Plugging the MyOmBox box. We have already gone through the steps in a previous tutorial. You should already be ready!
Second Step: Plugging the USB Zigbee key on MyOmBox. This couldn’t be simpler, simply insert the USB connector in one of MyOmBox’s ports.
Third Step: this is when things get a little more complex. But if you follow the explanations below, you shouldn’t have any problem.
To get set up, you need to remove the guard located on the radio-controlled plug (This is not necessary for new models). Carry this step carefully, as only two little tabs keep this part into place.
You can now see the two push-buttons we need. These are the button ON/OFF and the button « Network ».
A – Reset the USB Zigbee key, by keeping it pressed during 10 seconds until the LED flash quickly and turn off. Do the same manipulation with the controlled plug as well as all the switches that need installing.
B – Briefly push (around 3 seconds) on the USB key’s push-button; the LED will be solid before flashing very rapidly and then twice per second.
C – A blue LED lights up on the radio-controlled plug, letting you know that the plug is indeed powered up. Push the “Network” push-button of the radio-controlled plug once (briefly: 3 seconds). The orange LED will be solid and then very quickly flash before flashing more slowly (1 flash per second).
At this precise moment, go to the MyOmBox interface to validate the device addition. Once you have done this, push only once on the button of the USB key. It will flash 3 times/sec followed by a 2 seconds stoppage. This will be the cruising speed!
You have just completed the basic configuration of the device. Now let’s get on the computer to complete the setup..
3 – CONFIGURATION ON THE MYOMBOX INTERFACE
You can install your switches either during the first launch of your box by following the setup steps, as well as from MyOmBox’s admin interface (once the setup procedure is complete). This is a little more thorough and will allow you to type the ID of your connected devices if the automatic detection doesn’t work.
Click on MyHome in the left column (or the MyHome System, on the right hand side) and then, click on MyHome Radio. Click in this window on “Search”.
A pop-up window will confirm that the new device has been found and added to your installation. All is left is for you to name your device (here, Living-room light) and choose the appropriate category. (Here, Lights and Controllers). If the automatic detection doesn’t work but you think that the Zigbee network was indeed created, you can manually add the reference by clicking on the « Add » button and typing the ID written on your device.
After completing these steps, you can return onto the user page and if you click on the “Lights and Controllers” tab, you will notice that your lamp was added.
If this is not the case, (such as for myself), restart your MyOmBox box, by going through the user interface’s central button.
You will then be able to test your first device addition on your connected home installation, by clicking on the “ON” button!
If it doesn’t work, check that your lamp is in the « lit up » position. As it is plugged onto a radio-controlled plug, don’t forget to light it up beforehand.
In addition, a detailed official documentation of the myHome Play cabled system configuration is available here.
Recommendation
It is advisable once your system is operational to make a backup of your configuration from the administration of MyOmBox (Data >> Backup). We also recommend that you make a backup after each update.