L2000631 DucoBox Focus Installation Guide

: May 16, 2024
: Duco

L2000631 DucoBox Focus Installation

Product Information

Product Name: DucoBox Focus
Product Version: 17xxxx and above
Manufacturer: Duco
Country of Origin: Belgium
Website: www.duco.eu
Contact Information: Tel: +32 58 33 00 33,
Email: info@duco.eu

Product Usage Instructions

Step 1: Mounting

Position the DucoBox Focus according to the instructions provided.
Fix the DucoBox securely in place.
Connect the air ducts to the DucoBox, ensuring that there is no resistance and using a non-return flap when discharging into a manifold.
Keep the duct system optimized by seeking professional advice from your duct supplier.
Avoid curves and sharp angles in the duct system to ensure the smooth running of the ventilation system.
Assure an airtight connection using tape, clamping strips, or tie-wrap. Do not use screws.
Avoid any bumps or dirt in the ducts.
Use an acoustic silencer of a minimum of 0.5 to 1 m in every connection leading to a different room.

Step 2: Wiring

Connect the power supply cable to the designated slot in the DucoBox Focus, following the provided drawing for proper placement.
Ensure proper strain relief for the power supply cable.
Connect any additional components, such as the fan, valve, switch sensor, etc., according to the provided wiring diagram.
Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to prevent damage to connected devices.
Determine the power supply requirements for each component based on their technical data sheet from www.duco.eu.
Check the power rating of all individual components and ensure that the power supply is capable of meeting their sum requirements.
The maximum cable length should not exceed 300 m.

Please note that installation, connection, maintenance, and repairs should be carried out by an accredited installer. Avoid contact with water as the electronic components of the product may be live.
For more information regarding warranty, maintenance, and technical data, refer to the website www.duco.eu.

Duco.tv

Translation of the original instructions
See www.duco.eu for information regarding warranty, maintenance, technical data, etc.
Installation, connection, maintenance, and repairs are to be carried out by an accredited installer. The electronic components of this product may be live. Avoid contact with water.

Vero Duco – Handelsstraat 19 – 8630 Veurne – Belgium tel +32 58 33 00 33 – info@duco.eu – www.duco.eu

Introduction

Congratulations on your DucoBox Focus, the smartest box in Europe!
The DucoBox Focus performs two functions in a Duco Demand-Controlled Natural Ventilation System:

On the one hand, it is the extractor fan that exhausts contaminated air with excessive CO2 content or relative humidity. Thanks to integrated control valves, air is only exhausted in the zone that requires it.
On the other hand, it is the master or brain of the system. It receives and interprets signals from slave components (measurements from sensors or manual input), on the basis of which it controls the ventilation system.
It is inadvisable to connect the DucoBox (via a duct or directly) to an extractor hood, regardless of type. This usually causes excessive fouling in the DucoBox, which affects its operation or has a more direct effect on the flow rate.

Mounting

Positioning

Air duct connections
Limit the resistance. A non-return flap is required when discharging into a manifold. Position it at least 30 cm away from the DucoBox. Be sure to take note of the ‘10 unmissable tips’ as well when mounting the DucoBox. Avoiding excessive use of bends, especially angles sharper than 90°, and adhering to the diameter guidelines for the ductwork will ensure that the ventilation box is able to do its job satisfactorily. Failure to take account of this recommendation may result in a high energy and maintenance-intensive system that gives rise to excessive noise nuisance frequently.

Wiring

Connection & buttons
Strain relief
It is mandatory to place the power supply cable in the slot provided, as shown in the drawing, before powering up the DucoBox.

Illustrations and connections may vary depending on the version of the product. Incorrect connection or failure to follow the instructions may result in damage to the connected devices.

The DucoBox Focus is able to communicate with Duco slave components via a wireless (RF) or wired link. Both types of communication can be combined in one system. Communication with non-DUCO components is possible via the switch sensor.

Use a screened solid-core cable not exceeding 300 m in length, with 5 cores 0.8 mm each.

RF (wireless communication)
RF components have a maximum free-field range of 350 meters. This distance will be much less in a building because of obstacles. Therefore, you will need to take objects such as walls, concrete, and metal into account. All slave components (except those which are battery-powered) also act as repeaters. Signals from components that are unable to make a (strong) connection with the master component are forwarded automatically via no more than one other non-battery-powered component (= hop). Please refer to the information sheet RF communication (L8000018) at www.duco.eu for further information.

DUCO RF

Wired (cabled communication)
Wired components can be daisy-chained (= recommended). This means that a separate cable will not be required for each component. A single central power supply can be used.
The cable required is a 5 x 0.75 mm² data cable. We strongly advise using a shielded cable. This is to prevent any interference that may affect the data communication. Any Tronic window ventilators will be supplied with a 5 x 0.25 mm² cable which can be connected via a splicing terminal block.

DUCO WIRED

Power supply| 24 VDC

Wiring

| 5 x 0,75 mm²

(5 x 025 mm² from Tronic window ventilators)

Maximum distance| up to 300 m
Maximum number of components| Up to 99 wired components in a single system

Control valves

The control valves, whether or not they are fitted with a sensor for measuring CO or humidity, can be built into the DucoBox Focus. Together with the fan, they ensure the correct exhaust airflow rate in the right room.

NOTE

A control valve with combined CO2 and RH measurement can only be used with a DucoBox Focus with a software version of 11.2 or higher.
A control valve must always be provided for each ventilation duct connected!

Mounting the control valves

Slide the control valve into the locations provided in the DucoBox Focus. Connect the ‘VALVE’ connector on the DucoBox to the IN on the control valve. If applicable, connect OUT on the valve to IN on another control valve to be added. At least one valve must be connected to the DucoBox at any time.
TIP : Use the letter labels on the DucoBox and the valves (A/B/C/D/E/F/G) to give these the same letter, so that the valves always remain in the same position.

Pairing the control valves

The control valves are paired automatically to the DucoBox whenever ‘installer mode’ is activated (see “Pairing components” chapter).

Removing/replacing control valves

Taking the control valve out temporarily
Follow these steps to take a control valve out of the unit temporarily, e.g to clean it during maintenance. Make sure that the control valve is inserted back in the same location. Use the letter labels on the DucoBox and the relevant valve for this. The DucoBox will retain all its settings when the control valve is reconnected

Temporarily removing the control valve

1 ** Briefly press the button on the valve to close it for 15 minutes The LED will go out
2 ** Disconnect the wiring
3 **** Slide the valve out of the DucoBox

Permanently removing or replacing the control valve

To remove a control valve permanently from the system or to replace it (e.g. in the event of a fault) it is important that it should be deregistered correctly. The DucoBox will not be able to be calibrated correctly if this is not done.

Permanently removing control valve

1| Briefly press the button on the valve to drive it shut

2

| Activate ‘Installer mode’ by pressing ‘INST’ on the DucoBox The LEDs on the DucoBox and control valves will flash green rapidly

3

| Long-press the button once on the control valve to be removed in order to remove it from the network ATTENTION: any underlying components will also be removed from the network.
4| Disconnect the wiring from the control valve to be removed and slide it out of the DucoBox
5| Deactivate ‘Installer mode’ by pressing ‘INST’ on the DucoBox All LEDs will stop flashing
Replacing a control valve

1| Briefly press the button on the valve to drive it shut

2

| Activate ‘Installer mode’ by pressing ‘INST’ on the DucoBox The LEDs on the DucoBox and control valves will flash green rapidly
3| Short-press the button twice on the control valve to be replaced in order to remove it from the network
4| Disconnect the wiring from the control valve to be replaced and slide it out of the DucoBox
5| Slide the new control valve into the DucoBox and connect it

6

| Short-press the button on the new control valve onc e The latter will take on all settings/connections in the network
7| Deactivate ‘Installer mode’ by pressing ‘INST’ on the DucoBox All LEDs will stop flashing

LED indications

In normal operation, the LED on the control valves will be white or off, depending on the control valve position. The brightness of the LED indicates the flow rate through the valve.
Please refer to “06.B LED indications on page 9 for the meaning of the remaining LED colors.

Additional control options

Duco Connectivity Board

The optional circuit board allows linking toward home automation and building management systems via REST API (locally or via the cloud) or Modbus TCP (locally). Both are possible via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
The Duco Connectivity Board also enables the Duco Installation App to be used. This application supports – and relieves – installers to control and maintain a ventilation system in a user-friendly way.

Electrical installation

Installer / User mode

To add, remove or replace components to the network, the system should be put in ‘Installer mode’. The LED on each component indicates the active mode of the component (see table in next section).
‘Installer mode’ can be activated by pressing the DucoBox Focus ‘INST’ button (see drawing in section “03.A Connections & buttons” on page 5. Once the LED on the master unit starts flashing, it means that ‘Installer mode’ is active. Press ‘INST’ again to return to ‘User mode’ (LED fully on or off) The system reverts automatically to ‘User mode’ after 15 minutes of inactivity.

LED indications DucoBox Focus

Pairing components

The DucoBox Focus is an extractor fan for a zonal ventilation system. This means that ventilation will only operate in the zones where it is needed (e.g only in the bathroom while showering) for the most energy-efficient operation. Thus, in the example below, pressing the button in zone 1 will change the ventilation setting only for this zone. Pressing the button on the master user control will command all zones that are set to ‘AUTO’ at that point in time.

It is important that components are paired with the correct zone for this zonal operation. Components can be paired with the DucoBox Focus itself (controlling all zones) or with a control valve (controlling a single zone). A component will be paired in every case with the component (control valve or DucoBox) that is flashing rapidly. It is possible to pair several user controllers in one zone, but not to link one user controller to multiple control valves or DucoBoxes.

NOTE

Never pair more than one system with RF components at the same time. If you do so, a component could be paired in the wrong network, (e.g. in the neighbors’ DucoBox) or the component may not want to pair.
With RF components it is recommended to start with the component closest to the DucoBox. This enables this component to be used as a hop for components that are too distant from the DucoBox and unable to make a direct RF connection with the DucoBox.

Pairing components

1| Activate ‘Installer mode’ by tapping ‘INST’ on the DucoBox The LED will flash green rapidly
2| Pairing components on the DucoBox :

Use this method for any components that are required to control the entire system (eg a master user controller)

2a ** Tap on the button of the component to be paired once** while the LED on the DucoBox is flashing rapidly The LED on this component will flash red briefly and then start to flash green rapidly

3

| Pairing components with a control valve :

Use this method for components that only control the zone connected to the control valve duct Repeat these steps for

each zone

3a **Tap the control valve once so the LED starts to flash green rapidly Underlying components can now be added in this zone
3b ** Add control components by tapping once on the component to be paired The LED will flash red briefly and then start to flash green rapidly
3c ** Add any window ****ventilators ** by tapping once on the component to be paired The LED will flash green slowly
4| Once all components have been paired, ‘Installer mode’ can be deactivated by tapping ‘INST’ on the DucoBox Focus The LEDs on all components will stop flashing

Please refer to the manual with the components for more detailed information.

Removing/replacing components
Removing paired components from the network or replacing is only possible within 30 minutes after the component is paired in or is restarted. Restarting can be done by disconnecting the power for a moment. After a time-span of 30 minutes, remove and replace operations are ignored. This is valid for all components from the date of manufacture 170323.

Removing a component

Replacing a component

Tips

Removing all components from the network (e.g. in the event of problems): Activate ‘Installer mode’ and long-press ‘INST’ until the LED starts flashing red. The DucoBox will reboot and the LED will stop flashing.
Restoring factory settings for the DucoBox and all paired components (AS FROM DucoBox version 18xxxx): Long-press ‘INST’ and ‘ENTER’ if not in ‘Installer mode’. The network remains in place.
Use the Duco Installation App or the Duco Network Tool to read out information from components.

Flow rate calibration

For the system to work correctly, it needs to be configured. This will ensure its operation is as quiet as possible and energy-efficient. For information on determining the ventilation flow rates, see Instruction Sheet Checking Product References and Flow Rates at www.duco.eu.

Air calibration procedure for DucoBox Focus

NOTE
The air calibration procedure must be carried out on a calm day (no more than wind force 2: leaves rustling, feeling the wind in one’s face).

DucoBox Focus air calibration

The exhaust vents must be set depending on the situation? Proper pre-setting makes for rapid and correct configuration. When using DucoVent Design exhaust vents always leave the outer ring in place for acoustic effect.
Before activating air calibration mode:
- Close all windows and doors.
- Ensure that all duct openings in the DucoBox are fully closed and that the DucoBox cover is closed!
- Avoid air leaks in the ventilation ducts.
- Set all window ventilators to the open position. Any Tronic ventilators will open automatically.
Pull the plug out of the socket and wait a few seconds.
Put the plug back into the socket. The DucoBox will be configured automatically on start-up. Calibration takes 30 seconds + 1 minute per connected control valve.

Checking
The steps set out below can be used to check whether flow rates have been set correctly.

Checking configured flow rate

1| Open the lid of the DucoBox
2| Press ‘HIGH’ briefly The DucoBox will remain in configuration mode for 30 minutes (as standard)
3| Close the lid
4| Wait at least one minute to allow the ventilation system to stabilize
5| Measure the vents If a flow rate differs from the desired output, this can be adjusted via the display menu or using the Duco Network Tool
6| If you finish before the standard setting of 30 minutes, re-open the DucoBox lid and press ‘HIGH’ again Then replace the lid on the DucoBox

Maintenance & service

Please refer to the maintenance instructions at www.duco.eu and view the videos on duco.tv for more information.

For service problems as a user:
Please contact your installer. Keep the serial number of your product to hand.

For service problems as an installer:
Please contact your Duco products seller. Keep the serial number of your product on hand.

Warranty

All warranty conditions concerning the DucoBox and Duco’s ventilation systems can be found on the DUCO website.
All complaints are to be reported to Duco by the Duco distributor with a clear description and the order/invoice number under which the products were delivered. In order to register the complaint, please use the complaint registration form found on the Duco website and the product’s serial number in your message to service@duco.eu.

Legislation

Product cards, EC declaration of conformity, and energy labels can be viewed and downloaded at www.duco.eu.
L2000631 Document last modified on 19.10.2023 (revision N)