LCN

The LCN integrationIntegrations connect and integrate Home Assistant with your devices, services, and more. [Learn more] for Home Assistant allows you to connect to LCN hardware devices.

Prerequisites

  • The integration requires one unused license of the coupling software LCN-PCHK (version >2.8) and an LCN hardware coupler.
  • Alternatively, an LCN-VISU or LCN-PKE coupler can be used which offers at least two PCHK licenses. With this setup, sending and receiving commands to and from LCN modules is possible.

The lcn integration allows connections to more than one hardware coupler. For each coupler, a new integration entry needs to be created.

Configuration

To add the LCN integration to your Home Assistant instance, use this My button:

Manual configuration steps

If the above My button doesn’t work, you can also perform the following steps manually:

Supported device types

There is currently support for the following device types within Home Assistant:

Note

The implemented platforms do not cover the whole functionality of the LCN system. Therefore the lcn integration offers a variety of events, device triggers and actions. They are ideal to be used in automation scripts or for the template platforms.

Setting up devices and entites

The lcn hardware modules and groups are represented by Home Assistant devices. The periphery of each lcn module is represented by Home Assistant entities. Peripheries are, for example, the output ports, relays, and variables of a module. Refer to the description of each platform to learn about which entity should be used for which periphery.

The configuration of the lcn devices and entities is completely done using a web user interface (configuration panel).

Once the integration is added to Home Assistant, you can access the lcn configuration panel by selecting the Configure button next to the respective integration entry on the LCN integration page.

The detailed documentation for the LCN frontend panel can be found here.

Platforms

Binary sensor

The lcn binary sensor platform allows the monitoring of the following LCN binary data sources:

  • Binary hardware sensors
  • Lock state of regulator setpoints
  • Lock state of keys

The binary sensor can be used in automation scripts or in conjunction with template platforms.

Climate

The lcn climate platform allows the control of the LCN climate regulators. This platform depends on the correct configuration of the module’s regulators, which has to be done in the LCN-PRO programming software. You need to specify at least the variable for the current temperature and a setpoint variable for the target temperature. If the control is set lockable, the regulator can be turned on/off.

Tip

If you intend to leave the regulation to Home Assistant, you should consider using the Generic Thermostat in conjunction with LCN Sensor and LCN Switch.

Cover

The lcn cover platform allows the control of LCN relays and output ports which have been configured as motor controllers. Refer to the motors table to learn about which motor uses which module periphery.

Only for the module with firmware earlier than 190C:
The configuration allows the optional definition of reverse time. This is the time which is waited during the switching of the motor currents. The reverse time should only be defined when using the module’s output ports for driving the cover. For all other configuration, the reverse time has to be defined in the LCN Pro software. For the reverse time, you may choose one of the following constants: RT70 (70ms), RT600 (600ms), RT1200 (1,2s).

Important

If you are using the module’s output ports for motor control, ensure that you have configured the output ports as motor controllers in the LCN Pro software! Otherwise, the output ports are not mutually interlocked and you run the risk of destroying the motor.

Light

The lcn light platform allows the control of the following LCN ports:

  • (Dimmable) output ports
  • Relays

Scene

The lcn scene platform allows the activation of previously programmed LCN scenes.

Sensor

The lcn sensor platform allows the monitoring of the following LCN data sources:

  • Variables
  • Regulator setpoints
  • Thresholds
  • S0 inputs
  • LED states
  • Logic operation states

The sensor can be used in automation scripts or in conjunction with template platforms.

Important

Ensure that the LCN module is configured properly to provide the requested value. Otherwise, the module might show unexpected behavior or return error messages.

Switch

The lcn switch platform allows the control of the following LCN ports:

  • Output ports
  • Relays

Additional features

Transponder, fingerprint sensor and code lock

To use LCN transponders, fingerprint sensors or code locks ensure that the corresponding module’s I-port property is enabled in the LCN-PRO software and properly configured. LCN transponders, fingerprints and code locks are identified by a six value hexadecimal code (e.g. 123abc). If a code is received a corresponding event (transponder event, fingerprint event, codelock event) is fired and can be used to trigger an automation. Alternatively, you can use the corresponding device triggers.

Example:

This example shows how the event_data can be extracted and used in a condition using Home Assistant’s templating engine. Trigger on a transponder event and ensure that the received code is in the given list:

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_transponder
  conditions: "{{ trigger.event.data.code in ['aabbcc', 'ddeeff', '112233'] }}"
  actions:
    ...

Further examples can be found in the event section.

Remote control

To use LCN remote controls (e.g., LCN-RT or LCN-RT16) ensure that the corresponding module’s I-port property is enabled in the LCN-PRO software and its behavior is properly configured as “IR access control”. With this configuration each remote control is identified by a six value hexadecimal code (e.g. 123abc). If a command from a remote control is received a corresponding event (transponder event) is fired and can be used to trigger an automation. Along with the transmitted code, the pressed key and the key action are transmitted. Alternatively, you can use the corresponding device triggers.

Examples can be found in the event section.

LCN commands addressed to PCHK host (Home Assistant)

A LCN module can not only be programmed to send commands to other modules/groups but also to the PCHK host configured in the LCN integration. These commands are directly passed to Home Assistant and can be evaluated. Only the send keys (former) command is supported.

Within LCN-PRO program the send keys command (only “A-C former command” is supported) to a key. For the target address manually enter the PCHK host id (default: 4). Select the keys and key actions as desired.

When a send keys command is received, the LCN integration will fire a send keys event for each key configured. These events can be used to trigger an automation. Alternatively, you can use the corresponding device triggers.

Examples can be found in the event section.

Note

Only commands sent from physical buttons of a module are evaluated. The “Test command” button in the LCN-PRO software is not evaluated and therefore cannot be used for testing purposes.

Events

There are several functionalities of the LCN system which are not exposed as regular entities by the integration, but as events. Examples are button presses from remote controls (transmitters), transponder findings, fingerprint sensors and so called send keys events.

Tip

If you find it difficult to deal with events in scripted automations, you can also use device triggers which offer automation design via the UI.

All events have some common attributes in their event_data which identify the sending LCN hardware module (e.g., the module the transponder is connected to):

Event payload Description Values
device_id Internal device id of LCN module string
segment_id Module’s segment id 5..128
module_id Module id 5..254

In addition, every event has its own special attributes which are described below. All special attributes are optional and can be used as supplementary filters.

Event: lcn_transmitter

The lcn_transmitter event is fired if a LCN remote control command is received.

Special payload Description Values
code Transmitter code string (6 hex values)
level Key level 0..4
key Key 0..4
action Key action hit, make, break

Example:

The trigger will fire if any key on the remote control with code 123abc is hit as long as the receiver hardware is connected to module 7 in segment 0.

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_transmitter
      event_data:
        segment_id: 0
        module_id: 7
        code: 123abc
        action: hit

Event: lcn_transponder

The lcn_transponder event is fired if a LCN transponder command is received.

Special payload Description Values
code Transponder code string (6 hex values)

Example:

The trigger will fire if the transponder with code 123abc was detected at any hardware module.

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_transponder
      event_data:
        code: 123abc

Event: lcn_fingerprint

The lcn_fingerprint event is fired if a LCN fingerprint command is received.

Special payload Description Values
code Fingerprint code string (6 hex values)

Example:

The trigger will fire if the fingerprint with code 123abc was detected at any hardware module.

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_fingerprint
      event_data:
        code: 123abc

Event: lcn_codelock

The lcn_codelock event is fired if a LCN code lock command is received.

Special payload Description Values
code Code lock code string (6 hex values)

Example:

The trigger will fire if the code lock with code 123abc was activated at any hardware module.

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_codelock
      event_data:
        code: 123abc

Event: lcn_send_keys

The lcn_send_keys event is fired if the PCHK host receives a send keys command.

Special payload Description Values
key LCN Key a1..c8
action Key action hit, make, break

Example:

The trigger will fire if the PCHK host receives a command that issues a hit of key a1.

automation:
  triggers:
    - trigger: event
      event_type: lcn_send_keys
      event_data:
        key: a1
        action: hit

Device triggers

To simplify using events in automations the LCN integration exposes them as device triggers. Those device triggers can be selected from the automation editor within Home Assistant.

After creating a new automation select Device as trigger type and search for the module which is supposed to cause the event in the device list. You may select the trigger type and configure its attributes. If an attribute is optional it is considered as a supplementary filter for the trigger. For an explanation of the attributes refer to the corresponding events.

Actions

In order to directly interact with the LCN system, and invoke commands which are not covered by the implemented platforms, the following actions can be used. Refer to the Performing actions page for examples on how to use them.

Action: output_abs

Set absolute brightness of output port in percent.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
output No Output port of module OUTPUT_PORT
brightness Yes Absolute brightness in percent 0..100
transition Yes Transition (ramp) time in seconds 0..486

Example:

action: lcn.output_abs
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  output: output1
  brightness: 100
  transition: 0

Action: output_rel

Set relative brightness of output port in percent.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
output No Output port of module OUTPUT_PORT
brightness Yes Relative brightness in percent -100..100
transition Yes Transition (ramp) time in seconds 0..486

Example:

action: lcn.output_rel
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  output: output1
  brightness: 30

Action: output_toggle

Toggle output port.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
output No Output port of module OUTPUT_PORT
transition Yes Transition (ramp) time in seconds 0..486

Example:

action: lcn.output_toggle
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  output: output1
  transition: 0

Action: relays

Set the relays status. The relays states are defined as a string with eight characters. Each character represents the state change of a relay (1=on, 0=off, t=toggle, -=nochange).

Example states: t---001-

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
state No Relay states as string

Example:

action: lcn.relays
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  state: t---001-

Action: led

Set the LED status.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
state No LED state as string LED_STATE

Example:

action: lcn.led
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  led: led6
  state: blink

Action: var_abs

Set the absolute value of a variable or setpoint. If value is not defined, it is assumed to be 0. If unit_of_measurement is not defined, it is assumed to be native.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
variable No Variable name VARIABLE, SETPOINT
value Yes Variable value any positive number
unit_of_measurement Yes Variable unit VAR_UNIT

Example:

action: lcn.var_abs
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  variable: var1
  value: 75
  unit_of_measurement: %

Important

Ensure that the LCN module is configured properly to provide access to the defined variable. Otherwise the module might show unexpected behaviors or return error messages.

Action: var_rel

Set the relative value of a variable or setpoint. If value is not defined, it is assumed to be 0. If unit_of_measurement is not defined, it is assumed to be native.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
variable No Variable name VARIABLE, SETPOINT, THRESHOLD
value Yes Variable value any positive or negative number
unit_of_measurement Yes Variable unit VAR_UNIT

Example:

action: lcn.var_rel
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  variable: var1
  value: 10
  unit_of_measurement: %

Important

Ensure that the LCN module is configured properly to provide access to the defined variable. Otherwise the module might show unexpected behavior or return error messages.

Action: var_reset

Reset value of variable or setpoint.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
variable No Variable name VARIABLE, SETPOINT

Example:

action: lcn.var_reset
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  variable: var1

Important

Ensure that the LCN module is configured properly to provide access to the defined variable. Otherwise the module might show unexpected behavior or return error messages.

Action: lock_regulator

Locks a regulator setpoint. If state is not defined, it is assumed to be False.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
setpoint No Setpoint name SETPOINT
state Yes Lock state true, false

Example:

action: lcn.lock_regulator
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  setpoint: r1varsetpoint
  state: true

Action: send_keys

Send keys (which executes bound commands). The keys attribute is a string with one or more key identifiers. Example: a1a5d8 If state is not defined, it is assumed to be hit. The command allows the sending of keys immediately or deferred. For a deferred sending the attributes time and time_unit have to be specified. For deferred sending, the only key state allowed is hit. If time_unit is not defined, it is assumed to be seconds.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
keys No Keys string
state Yes Keys state KEY_STATE
time Yes Deferred time 0..
time_unit Yes Time unit TIME_UNIT

Examples:

Send keys immediately:

action: lcn.send_keys
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  keys: a1a5d8
  state: hit

Send keys deferred:

action: lcn.send_keys
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  keys: a1a5d8
  time: 5
  time_unit: s

Action: lock_keys

Locks keys. If the table is not defined, it is assumed to be table a. The key lock states are defined as a string with eight characters. Each character represents the state change of a key lock (1=on, 0=off, t=toggle, -=nochange). The command allows the locking of keys for a specified time period. For a time period, the attributes time and time_unit have to be specified. For a time period, only table a is allowed. If time_unit is not defined, it is assumed to be seconds.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
table Yes Table with keys to lock
state No Key lock states as string KEY_STATE
time Yes Time period to lock 0..
time_unit Yes Time unit TIME_UNIT

Examples:

Lock keys forever:

action: lcn.lock_keys
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  table: a
  state: 1---t0--

Lock keys for a specified time period:

action: lcn.lock_keys
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  state: 1---t0--
  time: 10
  time_unit: s

Action: dyn_text

Send dynamic text to LCN-GTxD displays. The displays support four rows for text messages. Each row can be set independently and can store up to 60 characters (encoded in UTF-8).

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
row No Text row 1..4
text No Text to send for the specified row

Example:

action: lcn.dyn_text
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  row: 1
  text: "text in row 1"

Action: pck

Send arbitrary PCK command. Only the command part of the PCK command has to be specified in the pck string.

Data attribute Optional Description Values
address No LCN address
pck No PCK command

Example:

action: lcn.pck
data:
  address: myhome.0.7
  pck: PIN4

LCN constants

The actions use several predefined constants as parameters.

Ports

Constant Values
OUTPUT_PORT output1, output2, output3, output4

Motors

The motor values specify which hardware relay or outputs configuration will be used:

Motor Relay on/off Relay up/down
motor1 relay1 relay2
motor2 relay3 relay4
motor3 relay5 relay6
motor4 relay7 relay8
Motor Output up Output down
outputs output1 output2

Variables and units

Constant Values
VARIABLE var1, var2, var3, var4, var5, var6, var7, var8, var9, var10, var11, var12, tvar, r1var, r2var
SETPOINT r1varsetpoint, r2varsetpoint
THRESHOLD thrs1, thrs2, thrs3, thrs4, thrs5, thrs2_1, thrs2_2, thrs2_3, thrs2_4, thrs3_1, thrs3_2, thrs3_3, thrs3_4, thrs4_1, thrs4_2, thrs4_3, thrs4_4
VAR_UNIT native, °C, °K, °F, lux_t, lux_i, m/s, %, ppm, volt, ampere, degree
TIME_UNIT seconds, minutes, hours, days

States

Constant Values
LED_STATE on, off, blink, flicker
KEY_STATE hit, make, break, dontsend

Keys

Whenever a key has to be provided, it is defined by a joint string consisting of the table identifier (a, b, c, d) and the corresponding key number. Examples: a1, a5, d8.