Home automation: heating control via Axiophone
Antoine93400
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I use Legrand equipment (IP Axiophone and multifunction module) to turn my boiler on and off from any internet connection.
After struggling a lot, I’m publishing a manual that I hope will be helpful to others. I wanted it to be as complete as possible. It includes concepts of electrical and computer wiring, as well as network computing.
If you are reading this and are already familiar with setting up a Legrand IP Axiophone, perhaps you can help me. I am looking for the following information:
- the "installation manual" of the IP Axiophone, in electronic or paper format (I only have the "user manual" and would like to have the electrical manual for any future modifications to the electrical panel);
- the use of the "events" function (it doesn't work for me - see section E below);
- other uses of the multifunction switch (obviously, this Legrand module can do many things. But due to a lack of proper documentation, I do not know how to implement it).
Do not consider this manual as encouragement to install an IP Axiophone. There are probably cheaper and easier alternatives. The design of the IP Axiophone clearly dates back several years (six?), and Legrand has not made the effort to modernize the software, nor to update the manual considering the evolution of network computing. As a result: it took me nearly 8 months to get this investment working! I contacted Legrand's hotline, but my interlocutors clearly knew nothing. Just to distinguish between the IP Axiophone and the RTC Axiophone, they had trouble! And it took several attempts to know the references of the module to pair with the Axiophone.
As for the technical documentation, it is scandalously poor. The user manual is poorly designed, contains errors, and is completely inadequate for someone without specialized knowledge. Legrand seems to think that its device can only be operated by specialists. This disregards market reality, as many consumers configure their own wifi router. As a result: these products are very poorly known, even among professionals (see requests for help from some on forums!). In short, everything that follows only addresses a deficiency of a manufacturer that does not understand that consumers are willing to invest in home automation if they get their money's worth, and that does not respect its customers. If Legrand intends to keep this product in its catalog, when will software be modernized? When will the manuals be redesigned?
With these prerequisites established, here’s how to proceed so that this equipment, if you buy it, works:
A/ HOME AUTOMATION FUNCTIONALITY IMPLEMENTATION
Allow control via the internet, from any connection (via computer or smartphone, through a web browser), of the on and off of the boiler.
B/ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
- Legrand IP Axiophone, reference 03618 (do not confuse it with another Axiophone model, reference 03619, which allows control of a device via the switched telephone network (RTC). This RTC model requires a fixed telephone line, making it incompatible with a degrouped ADSL access). The IP Axiophone connects the house's electrical network to the internet network via the internet router. It sends commands to a receiver via power line communication (PLC).
- Legrand multifunction modular switch, reference 03600. This box is a receiver of information transmitted via PLC.
- router. In this case, a Freebox Revolution.
- two PLC couplers. These boxes allow connecting the IP Axiophone to the router, without an RJ45 cable (my electrical panel is in the garage, while the Freebox is in the living room).
Total cost of the equipment: €600 (excluding router).
C/ CONNECTION OF LEGRAND BOXES TO THE ELECTRICAL PANEL
Part carried out by an electrician. I do not have the electrical schematic.
!!! Does anyone have an electronic version of the "installation manual"? I would like to keep it just in case. However, I found the "user manual" on the internet, but not the "installation manual". Thank you in advance.
If the IP Axiophone has been correctly wired, the "power" LED should light up continuously.
D/ FIRMWARE UPDATE OF THE IP AXIOPHONE
Download the latest version at: https://sites.google.com/site/inonebylegrand/ . As of today, the latest FR version is 3.0, corresponding to the file chargeur_axiophone_3.0.exe.
Connect the computer to the IP Axiophone via an RJ45 cord.
Install the software, then run it in administrator mode.
Click on Download when prompted by the window.
After the firmware update, disconnect the cable.
E/ PROGRAMMING SCENARIOS AND EVENTS
Programming takes place on the two Legrand devices previously mounted on the electrical panel. It is likely that the cover of the electrical panel must be removed beforehand to allow access to adjustment switches located at the top of these two devices. The transparent plastic covers protecting access to the LEARN buttons must be lifted (slid vertically, without changing plane).
The programming involves both "scenarios" (each scenario corresponds to a specific electrical action) and "events" (each event is information related to a scenario that has just been played).
Furthermore, for each programming, it is necessary to manipulate both devices. In scenarios, the IP Axiophone acts as a transmitter while the multifunction switch serves as a receiver. In events, it is the opposite: the multifunction switch transmits information while the IP Axiophone serves as a receiver of this information. The IP Axiophone will then broadcast this information over the internet and by email.
NB: if the programmed scenarios and events need to be modified or deleted, the specific procedure described in the "user manual" of the IP Axiophone must be followed.
- Programming the electrical activation of the boiler (scenario n°1)
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button. The LEARN light blinks slowly.
Set the coding wheel A to number 1 (the box has a defect: the arrow of the coding wheel never perfectly aligns with the numbers, but always slightly to the LEFT of the number it corresponds to).
Press the control button A. The LEARN light then blinks quickly.
On the multifunction switch:
Identify which of the two pairs of controls has been electrically connected to the circuit powering the boiler. The one used is the one, to the left or right of the box, whose pressing the ON and OFF buttons activates and deactivates the boiler’s power. In my setup, it’s the right ON and OFF buttons that are active.
Press the LEARN button of the receiver and then the ON button.
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button to save the scenario.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button to end the learning mode.
- Programming the electrical deactivation of the boiler (scenario n°2)
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button. The LEARN light blinks slowly.
Set the coding wheel A to number 2.
Press the control button A. The LEARN light then blinks quickly.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button of the receiver and then the OFF button.
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button to save the scenario.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button to end the learning mode.
- Programming the feedback on activation (event we will call A)
!!! The following does not work for me. No event appears in the Axiophone, and I never receive any email when a scenario is triggered. Does anyone have the solution? Thank you.
1 press the LEARN button of the transmitter (event trigger): the LEARN light blinks slowly
2 press the control button of the transmitter that should trigger the event: the LEARN light blinks quickly
3 press the LEARN button of the IP Axiophone: the LEARN light blinks slowly
4 select the event number that should be triggered on coding wheel B
5 press the control button B: the LEARN light blinks quickly
- Programming the feedback on deactivation (event we will call B)
!!! The following does not work for me. No event appears in the Axiophone, and I never receive any email when a scenario is triggered. Does anyone have the solution? Thank you.
1 press the LEARN button of the transmitter (event trigger): the LEARN light blinks slowly
2 press the control button of the transmitter that should trigger the event: the LEARN light blinks quickly
3 press the LEARN button of the IP Axiophone: the LEARN light blinks slowly
4 select the event number that should be triggered on coding wheel B
5 press the control button B: the LEARN light blinks quickly
F/ INSERTION OF THE IP AXIOPHONE INTO THE HOME NETWORK
NB: for the principles of operation of feedback and port forwarding, one can refer to https://www.figer.com/Publications/nat.htm#routeurnat
- On the router: assign a fixed IP address to the IP Axiophone
It is preferable to assign a fixed IP address to the Axiophone on the internal network deployed by the router. This address should be located outside the range of addresses dynamically assigned (DHCP) by the router (for me: from 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.50).
Connect to the Freebox (from home: 192.168.1.1). Assign the fixed IP address 192.168.0.XX to the Axiophone (replace XX with a two-digit number outside the range of dynamically assigned addresses - for example, 51, 52, 53, 54, etc.)
- On the IP Axiophone: assign the same fixed IP address
Connect via an RJ45 cable the IP Axiophone to a computer accessing the network. Type into the browser http://192.168.1.15 (this is the default IP address programmed on the Axiophone by Legrand). Type the default password programmed by Legrand: 1234. This
After struggling a lot, I’m publishing a manual that I hope will be helpful to others. I wanted it to be as complete as possible. It includes concepts of electrical and computer wiring, as well as network computing.
If you are reading this and are already familiar with setting up a Legrand IP Axiophone, perhaps you can help me. I am looking for the following information:
- the "installation manual" of the IP Axiophone, in electronic or paper format (I only have the "user manual" and would like to have the electrical manual for any future modifications to the electrical panel);
- the use of the "events" function (it doesn't work for me - see section E below);
- other uses of the multifunction switch (obviously, this Legrand module can do many things. But due to a lack of proper documentation, I do not know how to implement it).
Do not consider this manual as encouragement to install an IP Axiophone. There are probably cheaper and easier alternatives. The design of the IP Axiophone clearly dates back several years (six?), and Legrand has not made the effort to modernize the software, nor to update the manual considering the evolution of network computing. As a result: it took me nearly 8 months to get this investment working! I contacted Legrand's hotline, but my interlocutors clearly knew nothing. Just to distinguish between the IP Axiophone and the RTC Axiophone, they had trouble! And it took several attempts to know the references of the module to pair with the Axiophone.
As for the technical documentation, it is scandalously poor. The user manual is poorly designed, contains errors, and is completely inadequate for someone without specialized knowledge. Legrand seems to think that its device can only be operated by specialists. This disregards market reality, as many consumers configure their own wifi router. As a result: these products are very poorly known, even among professionals (see requests for help from some on forums!). In short, everything that follows only addresses a deficiency of a manufacturer that does not understand that consumers are willing to invest in home automation if they get their money's worth, and that does not respect its customers. If Legrand intends to keep this product in its catalog, when will software be modernized? When will the manuals be redesigned?
With these prerequisites established, here’s how to proceed so that this equipment, if you buy it, works:
A/ HOME AUTOMATION FUNCTIONALITY IMPLEMENTATION
Allow control via the internet, from any connection (via computer or smartphone, through a web browser), of the on and off of the boiler.
B/ REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
- Legrand IP Axiophone, reference 03618 (do not confuse it with another Axiophone model, reference 03619, which allows control of a device via the switched telephone network (RTC). This RTC model requires a fixed telephone line, making it incompatible with a degrouped ADSL access). The IP Axiophone connects the house's electrical network to the internet network via the internet router. It sends commands to a receiver via power line communication (PLC).
- Legrand multifunction modular switch, reference 03600. This box is a receiver of information transmitted via PLC.
- router. In this case, a Freebox Revolution.
- two PLC couplers. These boxes allow connecting the IP Axiophone to the router, without an RJ45 cable (my electrical panel is in the garage, while the Freebox is in the living room).
Total cost of the equipment: €600 (excluding router).
C/ CONNECTION OF LEGRAND BOXES TO THE ELECTRICAL PANEL
Part carried out by an electrician. I do not have the electrical schematic.
!!! Does anyone have an electronic version of the "installation manual"? I would like to keep it just in case. However, I found the "user manual" on the internet, but not the "installation manual". Thank you in advance.
If the IP Axiophone has been correctly wired, the "power" LED should light up continuously.
D/ FIRMWARE UPDATE OF THE IP AXIOPHONE
Download the latest version at: https://sites.google.com/site/inonebylegrand/ . As of today, the latest FR version is 3.0, corresponding to the file chargeur_axiophone_3.0.exe.
Connect the computer to the IP Axiophone via an RJ45 cord.
Install the software, then run it in administrator mode.
Click on Download when prompted by the window.
After the firmware update, disconnect the cable.
E/ PROGRAMMING SCENARIOS AND EVENTS
Programming takes place on the two Legrand devices previously mounted on the electrical panel. It is likely that the cover of the electrical panel must be removed beforehand to allow access to adjustment switches located at the top of these two devices. The transparent plastic covers protecting access to the LEARN buttons must be lifted (slid vertically, without changing plane).
The programming involves both "scenarios" (each scenario corresponds to a specific electrical action) and "events" (each event is information related to a scenario that has just been played).
Furthermore, for each programming, it is necessary to manipulate both devices. In scenarios, the IP Axiophone acts as a transmitter while the multifunction switch serves as a receiver. In events, it is the opposite: the multifunction switch transmits information while the IP Axiophone serves as a receiver of this information. The IP Axiophone will then broadcast this information over the internet and by email.
NB: if the programmed scenarios and events need to be modified or deleted, the specific procedure described in the "user manual" of the IP Axiophone must be followed.
- Programming the electrical activation of the boiler (scenario n°1)
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button. The LEARN light blinks slowly.
Set the coding wheel A to number 1 (the box has a defect: the arrow of the coding wheel never perfectly aligns with the numbers, but always slightly to the LEFT of the number it corresponds to).
Press the control button A. The LEARN light then blinks quickly.
On the multifunction switch:
Identify which of the two pairs of controls has been electrically connected to the circuit powering the boiler. The one used is the one, to the left or right of the box, whose pressing the ON and OFF buttons activates and deactivates the boiler’s power. In my setup, it’s the right ON and OFF buttons that are active.
Press the LEARN button of the receiver and then the ON button.
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button to save the scenario.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button to end the learning mode.
- Programming the electrical deactivation of the boiler (scenario n°2)
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button. The LEARN light blinks slowly.
Set the coding wheel A to number 2.
Press the control button A. The LEARN light then blinks quickly.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button of the receiver and then the OFF button.
On the IP Axiophone:
Press the LEARN button to save the scenario.
On the multifunction switch:
Press the LEARN button to end the learning mode.
- Programming the feedback on activation (event we will call A)
!!! The following does not work for me. No event appears in the Axiophone, and I never receive any email when a scenario is triggered. Does anyone have the solution? Thank you.
1 press the LEARN button of the transmitter (event trigger): the LEARN light blinks slowly
2 press the control button of the transmitter that should trigger the event: the LEARN light blinks quickly
3 press the LEARN button of the IP Axiophone: the LEARN light blinks slowly
4 select the event number that should be triggered on coding wheel B
5 press the control button B: the LEARN light blinks quickly
- Programming the feedback on deactivation (event we will call B)
!!! The following does not work for me. No event appears in the Axiophone, and I never receive any email when a scenario is triggered. Does anyone have the solution? Thank you.
1 press the LEARN button of the transmitter (event trigger): the LEARN light blinks slowly
2 press the control button of the transmitter that should trigger the event: the LEARN light blinks quickly
3 press the LEARN button of the IP Axiophone: the LEARN light blinks slowly
4 select the event number that should be triggered on coding wheel B
5 press the control button B: the LEARN light blinks quickly
F/ INSERTION OF THE IP AXIOPHONE INTO THE HOME NETWORK
NB: for the principles of operation of feedback and port forwarding, one can refer to https://www.figer.com/Publications/nat.htm#routeurnat
- On the router: assign a fixed IP address to the IP Axiophone
It is preferable to assign a fixed IP address to the Axiophone on the internal network deployed by the router. This address should be located outside the range of addresses dynamically assigned (DHCP) by the router (for me: from 192.168.0.2 to 192.168.0.50).
Connect to the Freebox (from home: 192.168.1.1). Assign the fixed IP address 192.168.0.XX to the Axiophone (replace XX with a two-digit number outside the range of dynamically assigned addresses - for example, 51, 52, 53, 54, etc.)
- On the IP Axiophone: assign the same fixed IP address
Connect via an RJ45 cable the IP Axiophone to a computer accessing the network. Type into the browser http://192.168.1.15 (this is the default IP address programmed on the Axiophone by Legrand). Type the default password programmed by Legrand: 1234. This
2 answers
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Hello,
Personally, everything works, the scenarios and the events. I followed the instructions.
Thank you for the link for the firmware update.
I would like to point out that the update fixes the IP address to 192.168.1.15. -
Hello Antoine,
I'm also struggling to set up the IP axiophone. Well, my struggle is mainly with the connection outside the home, so outside of Wi-Fi. I also called Legrand, and they told me they couldn't touch the ports on the Freebox. They referred me to Free, who explained where I could configure a port.
So, I went to my Free account, my router, and that's where the problem starts. I don't know what to enter or where? Can you help me? I want to connect remotely, but I can't do it!
Thanks,
Arnaud-
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Frédéric, hello,
Yes, thank you, I would appreciate some help. For your information, I don’t have the latest version of the Freebox but the previous one. I went to port forwarding and added the items provided by Antoine. However, the response is immediate: "page unavailable." So I'm okay with your help. Arnaud
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