Modern building automation is no longer about controlling isolated systems. The real value comes when heating, lighting, shading and energy management work in sync – right from the planning phase. KNX offers the perfect foundation for this: a manufacturer-independent protocol that connects all building trades. But it’s the planning approach that determines whether the potential of KNX is fully realised. A holistic KNX design leads to more efficient integration, easier commissioning and smarter long-term maintenance.
Cross-Disciplinary Planning with KNX
Avoid isolated systems, reduce complexity
Design with integration in mind
Fragmented planning across building trades often leads to redundant interfaces, overly complex gateway structures and time-consuming troubleshooting. Gateways are essential in KNX – for example to integrate DALI or Modbus – but good planning ensures they are used purposefully rather than as a workaround.
This not only reduces complexity during commissioning, but also results in a more robust, maintainable setup.
Example: When a KNX weather station detects strong sunlight, the blinds lower automatically, and the HVAC system switches to eco mode. All actions are triggered by a single scene object in ETS – no external interfaces, no redundant hardware.
Tip: Learn how KNX weather stations like Suntracer KNX pro enable cross-trade automation in real-world scenarios.
One structure, less troubleshooting later
Easier maintenance starts with smarter planning
A clearly structured KNX system pays off long after the initial commissioning. Unified topologies and consistent group address schemes reduce complexity – not only during setup, but throughout the entire lifecycle of a building. Whether it’s adjusting a scene, adding a new device or troubleshooting a fault: With clear naming conventions and logical object organisation, changes can be made faster and with less risk. Proper documentation also ensures that handovers to facility management or service partners go smoothly – even years after project completion.
Room controllers like the Elsner eTR series support this approach: They combine temperature control, operating logic and local scene activation in one device, helping to centralise functions, reduce wiring effort and simplify planning. Discover the KNX eTR series and their technical capabilities in detail here.
Tip: Use central scene objects to bundle actions across trades. This makes future updates easier and ensures that automation logic stays transparent and scalable.
Set your project up for long-term success – right from the start
Best practices for cross-trade KNX planning
Successful KNX projects rely not only on the right devices – but on smart planning decisions made early in the process. The following best practices help ensure that your cross-trade automation setup is scalable, maintainable and ETS-friendly from day one.
Tip: Use one central scene group (e.g. 0/7/x) for all global functions – this makes updates and maintenance easier later.
| Tip | Why it matters |
| 1. Coordinate trades early | Agree on how group addresses are structured across trades. Example: reserve 1/x/x for shading, 2/x/x for HVAC. This keeps your topology clean and avoids conflicts. |
| 2. Use scenes as central logic elements | Combine HVAC, lighting and blinds into reusable scene objects. This reduces programming effort and keeps automation logic consistent. |
| 3. Stick to native KNX logic blocks | Instead of using external logic controllers, use the logic functions already available in ETS. This minimises interfaces and potential failure points. |
| 4. Plan ahead for maintenance and handover | Use clear naming conventions, define access levels and export structured documentation. It saves time later – for you and others maintaining the system. |
Here’s what a clean group address structure might look like in practice:
| GA | Function | Trade | Scene Use | Remarks |
| 1/1/10 | Office Lights ON | Lighting | Scene: Work | Occupancy & daylight linked |
| 2/1/20 | Blinds DOWN (West façade) | Shading | Scene: Sun | Weather station control |
| 3/1/30 | HVAC Setpoint 22 °C | HVAC | Scene: Comfort | Adjusted by eTR 201 |
| 0/7/1 | Scene: Meeting | Global | Lighting + HVAC | Triggered manually or timed |
If you would like to know how to configure your ETS for different requirements, have a look at our Elsner YouTube channel. Here you can find different videos on topics such as “Configure KNX sun protection automation in the ETS” or “Configure facade in KNX/ETS”.
Ready to plan across trades?
Checklist for cross-trade KNX planning
Our KNX planning checklist helps you structure your ideas and prepare a clean, ETS-compatible project setup – from address logic to scene structure.
Elsner devices for integrated KNX automation
Use case: KNX across building trades
Cross-disciplinary KNX – a real-world planning win
In a newly constructed office building with four floors and over 1,500 m² of flexible workspaces, the building owner requested an integrated automation concept. The goal: minimise energy consumption, reduce operating costs and provide employees with a high level of comfort and autonomy. From the outset, the KNX planning was approached holistically – with all relevant trades considered together:
• Shading actuators were linked to both weather data and presence sensors. During strong sunlight, the blinds lower automatically – but only in areas currently in use.
• HVAC control was based on window contacts, time schedules and occupancy states. When a window is open or a room unoccupied, heating and cooling are automatically paused.
• Room controllers (e.g. Elsner eTR 201) allow staff to adjust temperature setpoints and activate predefined scenes directly in the room – without affecting system-wide logic.
• Presence detectors ensure that lights are switched off and the HVAC switches to eco mode when zones are not used.
Thanks to consistent group address structures, clear object naming and a central scene logic, the ETS project remained transparent and easy to maintain – even with over 200 devices on the KNX bus. The result: efficient commissioning, reduced support needs, and a scalable system architecture that allows for future extensions and tenant-specific adaptations.
Scene logic in ETS (simplified example)
Scene: Presentation mode (0/7/5)
• Lights dim to 20 % (1/1/11)
• Blinds close (2/1/12)
• HVAC switches to quiet mode (3/1/13) → Triggered by wall switch (1/7/1) or time schedule
Less effort, better results – from project start to handover
Why holistic KNX planning pays off
Cross-trade KNX automation brings long-term benefits – for planners, operators and users alike. With the right structure, your project becomes easier to commission, simpler to maintain and ready for future needs. Elsner devices support this approach with versatile logic options and consistent ETS integration.
Key takeaways:
• Plan across trades, not in silos – use shared logic and scene structures from the start
• Use gateways where they add value, for example to link DALI, BACnet or Modbus – clean planning helps you avoid redundant interfaces and keep your KNX structure lean.
• Use clear naming and address ranges – for smoother commissioning and better maintenance
• Design for what comes after – think about handover, documentation and expansion
• Choose devices that support your logic – Elsner KNX products are designed for scalable, cross-trade applications With the right planning and the right tools, KNX becomes more than a system – it becomes a reliable backbone for truly smart building automation.
With the right planning and the right tools, KNX becomes more than a system – it becomes a reliable backbone for truly smart building automation.
Key planning topics for cross-trade KNX automation
Frequently Asked Questions
What if different trades are planned by different contractors?
That’s a common scenario. KNX allows you to structure group addresses clearly and document logic centrally in ETS. This helps everyone involved coordinate later – even if planning happens in stages.
How much effort does it take to structure a KNX project holistically?
It’s more about mindset than workload. With a clear address system, shared scenes and consistent naming, you actually save time during commissioning and maintenance.
Do I need extra devices to create logic across trades?
Not necessarily. Many Elsner KNX devices – such as room controllers or weather stations – already include logic functions. You can implement cross-trade automation directly within the devices and ETS.
Can I expand a cross-trade KNX setup later on?
Yes – as long as the initial structure is planned well, extensions (e.g. new rooms or devices) can be added without breaking the logic. KNX is built for scalability.
Is it a problem if some trades are not KNX-based?
Gateways are a standard way to integrate systems such as BACnet or Modbus. For ease of maintenance, however, it’s best to keep as many functions as possible natively in KNX.