User's Manual

Table Of Contents

USER MANUAL

PTM 535 / PTM 535U / PTM 535J – ENOCEAN TRANSMITTER MODULE

5.5 Transmission range

The main factors that influence the system transmission range are type and location of the

antennas of the receiver and the transmitter, type of terrain and degree of obstruction of

the link path, sources of interference affecting the receiver, and “Dead” spots caused by

signal reflections from nearby conductive objects.

Since the expected transmission range strongly depends on this system conditions, range

tests should categorically be performed before notification of a particular range that will be

attainable by a certain application.

The following figures for expected transmission range are considered by using a PTM 535

radio transmitter device and a TCM 310 / TCM 310U / TCM 410J radio receiver device with

installed whip antenna and may be used as a rough guide only:

◼ Line-of-sight connections: Typically 30 m range in corridors, up to 100 m in halls

◼ Plasterboard walls / dry wood: Typically 30 m range, through max. 5 walls

◼ Line-of-sight connections: Typically 30 m range in corridors, up to 100 m in halls

◼ Ferroconcrete walls / ceilings: Typically 10 m range, through max. 1 ceiling

◼ Fire-safety walls, elevator shafts, staircases and supply areas should be considered

as screening.

The angle at which the transmitted signal hits the wall is very important. The effective wall

thickness – and with it the signal attenuation – varies according to this angle. Signals

should be transmitted as directly as possible through the wall. Wall niches should be avoid-

ed.

Other factors restricting transmission range include:

◼ Switch mounted on metal surfaces (up to 30% loss of transmission range)

◼ Hollow lightweight walls filled with insulating wool on metal foil

◼ False ceilings with panels of metal or carbon fiber

◼ Lead glass or glass with metal coating, steel furniture

The distance between EnOcean receivers and other transmitting devices such as comput-

ers, audio and video equipment that also emit high-frequency signals should be at least

0.5 m

A summarized application note to determine the transmission range within buildings is

available as download from www.enocean.com.