News

Installer remedies for RF Controls

Published: 07-02-2018

• Although Radio Frequency controls are popular, they aren’t infallible
• Many elements within the home can disrupt communication between the transmitter and receiver
• Location, structure of the house and conflicting signals should all be considered during installation

With more of your customers asking about heating controls, such as Radio Frequency (RF) controls, now is the perfect time to make sure you’re aware of the considerations to take during installation to avoid call backs down the line.

Martyn Bridges, our Director of Marketing and Technical Support explained: “Whilst robust, these technologies aren’t infallible, and like many digital devices, communication between the transmitter and receiver of an RF heating control can be affected by a host of aspects – a key one being location within the home.”

1. Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Batteries should, in fact, be the first things checked. Even a set that is not fully depleted will weaken the signal and disrupt communication between the transmitter and the receiver.

2. A conflict of signals

Nowadays, an average household is full of RF devices, meaning there is the potential for the transmitter’s signal to be interrupted by a signal from another RF unit.

If the signal from the transmitter is frequently being interrupted, see whether a pattern can be established. If one doesn’t materialise, then RF readers can provide a clear idea of where a conflicting signal may be coming from.

3. Tough as steel

The building itself can also cause disruption, and steel layers within the wall construction, plasterboards with foil linings, and rolled steel joists (RSJs) can all act as a barrier to a radio signal.

The more walls that a radio signal must pass through, the weaker it will become.

4. The right reading?

A final consideration is to analyse the environment in which the transmitter is located. If the transmitter is kept in a room where there are additional sources of heat, such as a gas fire or even sunlight, it won’t fire up the boiler even if the rest of the house is cold. 

For further assistance with RF controls, contact our dedicated Controls & Connectivity team on 0330 123 3366.