📘 SOP: Zhong Hong AC & Ekinex Thermostat KNX

1. Phase 1: Gateway Programming via WeChat Mini-App (Bluetooth)

Because the Zhong Hong Gateway dictates the primary Group Address (GA) schema, commissioning must begin directly on the physical hardware using the mobile application utility.

Steps:

1. Connect to the Gateway: Ensure your smartphone's Bluetooth is turned on. Open WeChat, pair with the device over Bluetooth.

2. Identify the AC Address: Select the target indoor split/VRF unit address indexes (e.g., AC Address 01-05).

3. Generate GAs: Use the interface to map out the standard control/status addresses.

2. Phase 2: ETS Dummy Group Address Setup

Since the Zhong Hong gateway does not require an ETS database download, you only need to create matching dummy addresses within ETS to route communication to the Ekinex device properly.

Group Address (Example)

3. Phase 3: Ekinex Thermostat Initial Setup & Parameter Configuration

Before mapping group addresses or adjusting thermal settings, the physical device must be initialized within your ETS project topology.

Step 1: ETS Database Preparation & Import

• Import the Ekinex EASY product database (.knxprod) into your active ETS catalog.

• Drag the device into your building structure and assign its project-specific physical address (e.g., 1.1.29).

Step 2: General Parameters Settings

Navigate to 1.1.29 EK-E73-TP-EASY > General in your parameters panel and apply the following base options:

• Device operation as: stand-alone

• Temperature setpoint and ventilation control: Set to with integrated buttons (ensures local control handles panel actions).

• OFF mode settings: Change to with short press for fast environmental control toggles.

• Button function level: Toggle to user.

Step 3: Temperature Sensor Telemetry Options

Navigate to Temperature sensor to configure how the physical unit pushes temperature readings back onto the KNX bus:

• Temperature sensor: enabled

• Minimum change of value to send [K]: Set to 0.5 (prevents unnecessary bus traffic spikes).

• Cyclic sending interval: Change from default to 30 s to keep the Zhong Hong control routine updated with active room status updates.

Step 4: Temperature Control Root Settings

Define the controller parameters under the Temperature control > Settings sub-menu:

• Thermostat function: Set to cooling (optimizes internal thresholds specifically for AC deployment).

• Send feedback on status change from bus: enabled (ensures seamless state tracking).

• On status change from UI, discard new status from bus: disabled.

Step 5: Cooling Loop Setup

Navigate to Temperature control > Cooling:

• Cooling type: Select fancoils.

• Control type: Set to 2 points hysteresis.

• Hysteresis: Set to 1 K to prevent premature compressor short-cycling.

• Cyclic sending interval: Keep at no sending.

Step 6: Ventilation Routing Parameter Execution

Navigate to Temperature control > Ventilation:

• Control type: 3 speeds (matches standard multi-speed VRF indoor unit profiles).

• Manual operation: not depending on the temperature (gives the user fixed fan override control).

• Automatic operation (A): Change explicitly to external (VRF) (this hands speed optimization off to the gateway).

• Easy interface: enabled.

• Fan automatic state: Set to 0=manual, 1=auto to properly parse the dynamic bus states.

4. Phase 4: Object Binding Matrix

Once the parameters have been flashed to the device, you must link the communication objects to your dummy Group Address framework.

🛑 CRITICAL INTEGRATION NOTE

The Ekinex EASY series utilizes reversed naming conventions for command/status objects compared to standard gateways. Follow the exact object-to-GA link schema below to prevent status mismatches and control loops.

Object Binding Matrix

Direct Workflow Layout for Engineers

For quick visual reference during commissioning, ensure the connections align directly to these target paths:

[Ekinex EASY Thermostat Object]                      [Mirrored Zhong Hong GA]

Object 1: Temperature value (Out)      ───> Link To ───>  GA 12/3/6 (Living AC Temp Output)
Object 24: HVAC mode out (Out)          ───> Link To ───>  GA 11/1/5 (Living Mode)
Object 22: HVAC mode in (In)            ───> Link To ───>  GA 12/1/5 (Living Mode FB)
Object 27: Actual setpoint (Out)        ───> Link To ───>  GA 11/3/5 (Living Set Temp)
Object 28: Manual setpoint (In)         ───> Link To ───>  GA 12/3/5 (Living Set Temp FB)
Object 52: Fan speed (Out)              ───> Link To ───>  GA 11/2/5 (Living Fan Spd)
Object 51: Fan manual speed (In)        ───> Link To ───>  GA 12/2/5 (Living Fan Spd FB)
Object 81: Thermostat on/off status(Out)───> Link To ───>  GA 11/0/5 (Living On/Off)
Object 80: Thermostat on/off command(In)───> Link To ───>  GA 12/0/5 (Living On/Off FB)