Fibaro Home Center 3 (HC3) supports KNX via the Fibaro Connect KNX plugin, making it a practical bridge for adding wireless Z-Wave sensors and dimmers to buildings with hard-wired KNX infrastructure. This is particularly useful for retrofit projects where cable installation is disruptive or impractical.

Fibaro Connect KNX Plugin Setup

In HC3 web interface (http://hc3-ip): navigate to Marketplace > Plugins > search 'Fibaro Connect KNX'. Install. Configuration: enter KNX/IP router IP address and port 3671 (default KNX IP router port). HC3 acts as a KNX IP tunnel client — it connects to the KNX/IP router exactly as ETS6 would.

KNX/IP router required: MDT IP Interface SCN-IP000.03, Weinzierl KNX IP Router 751, or ABB IPS/S 2.1. The HC3 KNX plugin does NOT support KNXnet/IP Core (routing) — tunnel mode only.

Z-Wave to KNX Mapping

After plugin installed: HC3 > Plugin configuration > add KNX mapping. For each Z-Wave device, specify source value, target GA, and DPT:

Fibaro Dimmer 2 (FGD-212) dim level -> KNX GA 1/1/0 DPT 5.001 (write on change). Fibaro Motion Sensor (FGMS-001) motion state -> KNX GA 2/0/5 DPT 1.001. Fibaro FGMS-001 lux value -> KNX GA 9/0/3 DPT 9.004 (write on change, tolerance 10%). Fibaro Flood Sensor (FGFS-101) alarm -> KNX GA 8/0/1 DPT 1.005.

Bidirectional: KNX write to HC3 also works — KNX GA 1/1/0 sends dim value -> HC3 receives and sets Fibaro Dimmer 2 level. This enables scene activation from KNX wall panel to control Z-Wave dimmers.

Typical Retrofit Scenario: Office Building

Existing building: KNX HVAC (MDT fan coil controller + Siemens KNX thermostat in each office). Problem: occupancy sensing requires new cable to each room, but false ceiling is sealed.

Solution: Fibaro Motion Sensor battery-operated, no cabling, installed in 5 minutes per room. HC3 maps motion -> KNX GA 2/0/x per room. KNX fan coil controller uses motion GA as presence object: no motion for 30 minutes -> setback to 18 degrees C heating / no cooling. Motion detected -> restore comfort setpoint 21 degrees C. Result: 20-30% HVAC energy saving with no cable work.

Z-Wave Device Range and Building Penetration

Z-Wave 700 series (Fibaro Walli, Gen5 sensors): 40m indoor range, each device acts as repeater for network. In a 3-storey office: base HC3 on floor 2 (centre of building), place Fibaro Smart Implant (FGBS-222) as repeater on each floor. Z-Wave mesh self-heals — up to 232 devices per HC3. Battery sensors do NOT repeat (only mains-powered devices repeat). Install at least one mains-powered Fibaro Plug or Smart Implant per floor for reliable mesh.

HC3 LUA Scripting for Complex Logic

For logic beyond simple GA-to-GA mapping, use HC3 LUA scene: trigger on Fibaro sensor value change, evaluate conditions, execute KNX writes via the plugin API. Example: motion AND lux < 200 lux -> write 1 to KNX GA 1/2/0 (lights on). HC3 LUA has access to all Z-Wave device properties and the KNX plugin API for bidirectional communication.