ETS basics for beginners
ETS (Engineering Tool Software) is the tool you use to configure any KNX system, regardless of manufacturer. You design the topology, add devices, and link them with group addresses. If you're just getting curious about KNX, this is where you start.
What your first step with ETS looks like
Download the demo version
The free ETS demo is fully functional but limited in the number of devices per project — enough to try the interface and build a small project.
Get familiar with the interface
The topology view, device catalog, and group address table — the three places you'll spend most of your time.
Add your first devices
Drop in a sensor (say, a switch) and an actuator (say, a relay) from any certified manufacturer's catalog — they work together by default.
Create your first group address
Link the sensor to the actuator through a single group address and try the simplest possible scenario — a switch turning on a light.
What to know before you start
One tool for everyone
ETS isn't tied to a specific manufacturer — it's the official configuration tool for the whole KNX industry.
Devices: sensors and actuators
Sensors (switches, temperature sensors) send commands; actuators (relays, dimmers, blind drives) carry them out — both need to be added before you can link them.
Group addresses: who talks to whom
A group address is the 'channel' devices use to exchange commands — it's this, not the wiring diagram, that defines your system's logic.
Scenes: several actions, one command
A scene bundles multiple actions (lights, blinds, temperature) into a single command triggered by one button press.
The common beginner mistake
Over-complicating the address structure from day one makes the project harder to manage later. Start simple, expand as you need to.
Certified interoperability
A switch from one manufacturer paired with an actuator from another in the same project is standard practice, not an exception — the KNX Association certifies for exactly this.
What'll help you along the way
From first project to feeling confident with the system
- A jargon-free walkthrough of the ETS interface
- Core concepts: devices, group addresses, scenes
- Tips for keeping your address structure simple
- Links to KNX devices and accessories in the shop
- An honest view on where outside help pays off
Frequently asked questions
Is ETS free?
There's a free demo version that's fully functional but capped on the number of devices per project — great for trying things out and building a small project.
Does ETS work with devices from any manufacturer?
Yes — ETS is manufacturer-neutral, and the KNX Association certifies devices specifically for interoperability, so you're free to mix brands.
What's a group address in plain terms?
It's the 'channel' a sensor uses to send a command to an actuator — for instance, a switch turning on a specific light. The structure defines who talks to whom.
Do I need a complex address structure from the start?
No — that's a classic beginner mistake. Start with a simple, understandable structure and expand it as the project grows and your needs get clearer.
Where can I find devices to try with ETS?
Our shop carries certified KNX devices from a range of manufacturers — good for a first trial project as well as a bigger system.
Ready to try your first KNX project?
Browse KNX devices in our shop and start with a small, simple project in the ETS demo version.