Thinka for KNX — FAQ

Thinka requires an existing KNX installation in your home, an available ethernet port and a mains socket.

An ETS4 or ETS5 project file is optional to start the configuration process.
You will need a modern browser to go through the setup process, IE 11, Safari and Chrome are supported.
The setup process is optimised for PC, Mac and tablets.

To use voice control you will need one of the following devices:

- iPhone
- iPad
- HomePod
- Amazon Echo
- Google Home devices

To pair your Thinka with HomeKit you first need to install the Thinka Companion app on your iOS device. When you first open the app, iOS 14 and higher will ask for permission: "Thinka" would like to find and connect to devices on your local network. HomeKit setup only works through the local network. You can verify that the Thinka Companion app has Local Network access in the iOS Settings app:

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Settings appSearchLocal Network

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Thinka is meant to be installed in your meter box on a DIN rail. A professional KNX system integrator should be able to do this. We have a video showing the installation, see our video channel.

Newer versions can, but version HKV1.2 and older can not, the KNX bus provides around 320mA over 30V (less than 10 W) which is not sufficient to power both your KNX system and a Thinka.

Doing so can result in your KNX installation becoming irresponsive due to lack of power.

Use a separate KNX power supply, or use the power supply provided by Thinka.

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See also powering the Thinka KNX

Both. In this video we show a connection to the KNX bus via TP, but you can also configure an IP Gateway in the setup of the Thinka.

You can watch this video!

You can use the supplied power supply 12V/12W or use the screw terminals. The screw terminals support 12-24V DC.

Thinka version HKV 1.3 and up can be powered with the KNX bus. Thinka HKV 1.2 and before requires 12 Watt, so the KNX bus power is not sufficient as it provides around 320mA over 30V (less than 10 W) and it needs to power more than just your Thinka.

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See also Thinka versions.

No, you don't have to, Thinka will work without it. Just install your Thinka and go through the installation via the Thinka setup site

Thinka was designed with security and privacy in mind. See our article at our news section and the interview on KNX Today. See also our FAQ on cloud

No, when using Thinka with HomeKit, there is no need for any connection outside your home network. Only Siri does need an Internet connection to process your voice commands. So when you would decide to block Thinka from accessing the Internet all together, it would still work with your iPhone.

Amazon and Google however do run their smart home solution in the cloud.

Thinka itself will check for updates regularly on the Thinka repository.  During installation the Thinka setup just helps you find your Thinka on your local network, where all installation is done.

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Currently we only have one version of the Thinka for KNX: HKV 2.1 and one version of The Thinka for Z-Wave: ZWC HKV 2.0.

Our previous versions are not available anymore:

• HKV1.1 and HKV1.2 were similar to each other, but could not be powered by the KNX bus as can be done with the current version 2.1, see our news section.
• Thinka beta (HKVBETA). This is the version that supported HomeKit and was not certified by Apple yet. It came in a grey casing and does not support Google, Olisto or Amazon.
• Thinka for Amazon Echo (EV1.1). This is the version that supported Amazon Echo only. It came in a black casing and does not support Google, Olisto or HomeKit.

Thinka for KNX does not support Modbus, DALI, or other third-party protocols.
Thinka works exclusively through KNX and can only control devices that are part of your KNX installation.

If you need control over Modbus, DALI, or other protocols, you will need a dedicated gateway or interface designed for those systems.

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Matter Support is currently available in the Beta channel.
To activate it, please email support@thinka.eu and request Beta access for your Thinka.

Once the Thinka team has moved your device to the Beta channel, you will need to power-cycle the device to enable Matter Support.

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