Combining multiple functions in one push button
The VMB8PBU allows you to combine multiple functions in a single push button. The example below combines
ALL ON and ALL OFF in one push button.
A push button is physically connected to channel 1 (CH1).
Configure this module as follows: set CH1 to ALL OFF and CH2 to ALL ON. For convenience, you name the buttons
accordingly:
When you push the connected CH1 button (all off), everything will be switched off. Now you want to use this same
button also to activate the ALL ON function, which is assigned to CH2.
To set this up, open the VMB8PBU configuration window (click the
icon or press F6) and click the “Mode” tab:
Double-click channel 1 (CH1) to open a window where you can select the desired function. In this case, select “Dual”.
When you press the button connected to channel 1 shortly, the function on channel 1 is used. This is normal
operation. Now you can specify to use the function of channel 2 (instead of channel 1) when you press the button
for a long time.
Short press = CH1 and Long press (2 seconds) = CH2 is considered as pressed and is simulated. The input module
VMB8PBU waits until you release the button to decide if you have pressed it for a short or long time. The overview
shows this clearly.
It makes no difference if there is also a push button connected to channel 2. Pressing that button will simply result in
activating the ALL ON function.
Dual mode: “Short press” always results in normal operation. “Long press” virtually commands a
configurable channel.
Combining two functions in one push button by short/long press is commonly used to combine ALL OFF with ALL ON
(panic button), but there are other useful applications. Imagine two lights controlled separately, that you want to
switch on/off together from a certain point. You can configure this as follows:
The push button connected to channel 3 (CH3) simulates channel 4 (CH4) at a long push (3 seconds). The channels
need to be configured correctly (CH3 = on and CH4 = off for both lights).
A short press switches both lights on, a long push switches both lights off.
Kris Daelman