Use calendar to control time switch
With the Web-IO 4.0 Time Switch
The Web-IO 4.0 Time Switch can provide timed control of four switching outputs using information from calender files in iCal format. One way to provide the corresponding iCal files is to use Google Calendar or the calendar on your iPhone, which can also be accessed through the iCloud. Of course you could also link other calendars as long as they use the iCal format.
This application example shows the steps required to ensure that the switching outputs of the Web-IO Time Switch follow the scheduling specifications of an online calendar or local calendar.
Video guide
You activate the video function using the following button, whereby you use the provider Google and (at your own risk in terms of data protection ;) share data with it.
Step 1 - Connect Web-IO Time Switch
Wiring
To operate the Web-IO Time Switch a supply voltage of between 12V and 24V DC or a corresponding power supply is required.
The connected supply voltage is switched to the corresponding output terminal in the ON state.
If a potential-free contact is required for controlling the consumer, a coupling relay can be added.
Wiring of the Web-IO Time Switch should be performed only by trained personnel.
For Output 0 for example to Terminal 4, with the associated ground on Terminal 5.
Network
The Web-IO Time Switch must be connected to an available LAN terminal.
Step 2 - Configure network
The Web-IO Time Switch should always have a static IP address assigned. For this purpose, most routers offer the possibility to exclude an IP address range from the DHCP address assignment.
Assign IP address using WuTility
Now on a Windows PC start the WuTility tool.
Click on the IP address icon to start the dialog for IP address assignment. Enter here the desired IP address and click on the Continue button.
The Web-IO Time Switch can now be reached at the assigned address.
Method 1 - Set up Google Calendar
The following description presumes that you already have a Google account.
Creating a calendar
After successful login to your Google account, go to the application menu and select Calendar.
After clicking on the "+" symbol next to the menu point Other calendars a menu appears where you can select Set up new calendar.
Assign a meaningful name to the calendar and click on Create calendar.
Creating a switching date
To add a new switching date, click in the calendar on the desired day for the event. In the resulting dialog enter a name for the event and click on Add time.
You are now able to specify a time range during which the Web-IO output should be turned on. You may also specify where and when there should be any following dates.
Copying a calendar address
Once you have saved the new date, use the mouse to move to the calendar entry. Three points will appear which you can click on. In the following dialog select Settings and Release.
In the settings dialog you can copy the private address (URL) to the clipboard at which the calendar file can be opened.
In the next step the address (URL) must be copied to the Web-IO configuration.
Set up output for timed switching
Log in to the web interface of the Web-IO Time Switch as Administrator and select menu point Timed switching >> Output 0.
Activate Time Switch for Output 0. Insert the copied calendar URL into the field complete URL for loading the iCal file. Use Reload interval to specify at what interval to reopen the calendar file from the server and check for changes.
Clicking on the Apply button saves the settings and starts the first opening of the iCal file.
In this way each output can have its own URL and own independent calendar configured for it.
Check switching times
As soon as the Web-IO Time Switch has successfully loaded an iCal file, you can use menu point Timed switching >> Preview switching times to list the next switching events.
The outputs now follow the switching dates stored in the respective calendar.
Method 2 - Set up calendar on the iPhone
Open the Calendar app on you iPhone
In the next step the link address (URL) must be inserted into the Web-IO configuration.
Set up output for timed switching
Log in to the web interface of the Web-IO Time Switch as Administrator and select menu point Timed switching >> Output 0.
Activate Time Switch for Output 0. Insert the copied calendar URL into the field complete URL for loading the iCal file. In the inserted URL replace webcal with https. Use Reload interval to specify at what interval to reopen the calendar file from the server and check for changes.
Clicking on the Apply button saves the settings and starts the first opening of the iCal file.
In this way each output can have its own URL and own independent calendar configured for it.
Check switching times
As soon as the Web-IO Time Switch has successfully loaded an iCal file, you can use menu point Timed switching >> Preview switching times to list the next switching events.
The outputs now follow the switching dates stored in the respective calendar.
Method 3 - Set up iCloud calendar
The following description presumes that you already have an iCloud account.
Creating a calendar
First use your Apple ID to log in to https://www.icloud.com.
After successful login to your iCloud account, go to the application menu and select Calendar.
The calendar view opens. Left-click below on Edit and then on the "+" symbol at lower left to create a new calendar.
Assign a meaningful name to the calendar.
Creating a switching date
To add a new switching date, first highlight the newly created calendar. Clicking on the "+" symbol at lower right opens a dialog in which a new event or switching date can be created. You may determine the time within which the output of the Web-IO should be turned on. You can also specify whether and when there should be a following date. Then confirm by clicking on OK to add the date to the calendar.
Copying a calendar address
After you have saved the new date, click on the "Share" logo next to the calendar name. This opens the calendar release dialog. Here set the option Public calendar and copy the link for the calendar URL to the clipboard. Then confirm by clicking on OK.
In the next step you must insert the address (URL) into the Web-IO configuration.
Set up output for timed switching
Log in to the web interface of the Web-IO Time Switch as Administrator and select menu point Timed switching >> Output 0.
Activate Time Switch for Output 0. Insert the copied calendar URL into the field complete URL for loading the iCal file. In the inserted URL replace webcal with https. Use Reload interval to specify at what interval to reopen the calendar file from the server and check for changes.
Clicking on the Apply button saves the settings and starts the first opening of the iCal file.
In this way each output can have its own URL and own independent calendar configured for it.
Check switching times
As soon as the Web-IO Time Switch has successfully loaded an iCal file, you can use menu point Timed switching >> Preview switching times to list the next switching events.
The outputs now follow the switching dates stored in the respective calendar.
Method 4 - Set up and upload Outlook calendar
Local calendars, such as the Microsoft Outlook calendar, can also be used to specify the switching times for the Web-IO Time Switch
Creating a calendar
It is important to create a separate calendar for each output of the Web-IO Time Switch.
The Web-IO Time Switch switches the desired output to ON for the duration of a created event. Once all switching dates have been entered in the calendar, it must first be saved locally, unlike when using online calendars
Outlook tends to include a lot of Microsoft-specific data in the calendar file, making it unnecessarily large. Since the Web-IO Time Switch only provides a limited storage volume for the calendar file, it is recommended that you only save relevant data. The Outlook save dialog offers the following options under More Options for different settings.
Transferring the calendar file to the Web-IO Time Switch
Unlike when using online calendars, the Web-IO Time Switch cannot request the calendar file itself. Instead, the file must be uploaded via the web interface.
In the menu select Timed switching >> Output 0.
For each output select the corresponding calendar file and then confirm with Apply
Use menu point Timed switching >> Preview switching times to display the switching times for the next 24 hours starting with the indicated time stamp.
The outputs now follow the switching dates stored in the respective calendar.
