FDS 216 Wireless Exhaust Air Control

The Wireless Exhaust Air Control for Tumble Dryers and Exhaust Appliances: Power Only When the Window Is Open, TÜV-Tested, Switching Capacity up to 2300 W

The Schabus Wireless Exhaust Air Control FDS 216 is a safety device for monitoring the window position when an exhaust air system is operated simultaneously with a room-air-dependent fireplace. It is ideal for vented tumble dryers. A wireless magnetic switch on the window detects whether the window is tilted or open and reports the status by radio to the receiver. Only when the window is open can fresh supply air flow in, preventing dangerous negative pressure that could draw toxic carbon monoxide from combustion appliances into the room.

The receiver is designed as an intermediate plug. It is plugged between the socket and the mains plug of the exhaust appliance; no installation work on the electrical system is required. Window open means exhaust appliance on, window closed means exhaust appliance off – safely and automatically by radio. An integrated mains plug lock prevents the control from being bypassed unnoticed.

The device initialises itself; installation takes only seconds. Radio and battery monitoring as well as automatic cycle resets ensure reliability, and the battery in the transmitter lasts up to approx. 2 years. The FDS 216 is TÜV-tested (without DIBt approval).

Exhaust air only when fresh air can flow in

The FDS 216 combines a battery-powered window transmitter with an intermediate-plug receiver that enables or interrupts the power supply.

What’s in the box

The set is complete and ready for immediate use. There are no options or additional variants. The colour is tele grey.

• Radio receiver with mains plug lock
• Wireless magnetic switch (transmitter and magnet)
• CR2032 battery
• 4 spacer plates for magnet and transmitter (height compensation when mounting on the window or window frame)
• Mounting material
• Operating instructions

How the FDS 216 is constructed

The set consists of the radio receiver at the exhaust appliance and the wireless magnetic transmitter at the window. Both are uniquely programmed to each other and may only be replaced together as a set.

What must be fulfilled before use

• The combustion air supply of the simultaneously operated room-air-dependent fireplace must be ensured independently of the position of the monitored window
• When the exhaust system is in operation, the external blind of the open window must be fully open
• The radio receiver is not installed hidden behind or inside kitchen appliances or furniture and remains freely accessible at all times for maintenance and service work
• The radio receiver is always operated individually; never plug several intermediate plugs one after the other

Determining the minimum gap opening of the window

Before starting installation, determine the minimum opening of your window. It depends on the maximum output of the exhaust appliance in m³/h (nameplate or operating instructions), the size of the window to be opened (inner width times height) and the size of the opening gap. Calculate the gap opening dimension s in cm using the formula (75 + 1.875 × V_E) / (2 × √A). V_E is the exhaust air flow in m³/h and A is the window area in cm². The operating instructions contain a table for this, and the manufacturer offers a window gap dimension calculator.

If the window is fitted with an external blind that mechanically or constructively prevents complete closing, determine the free opening area A_F in cm² analogously using the formula 75 + 1.875 × V_E. The required gap opening dimension of a pivoted window must be ensured by a locking device. If the window is not rectangular, ask the specialist installer or chimney sweep master for the calculation.

Transmitter on the window, receiver at the socket

Mounting the wireless magnetic transmitter

1. Position the transmitter according to the window hinge (right- or left-hand hinge) so that the contact switches both when tilting and when opening the window.
2. Fasten magnet and transmitter to the window with the supplied screws. The arrows on both housings point towards each other.
3. When the window is closed, the distance between magnet and transmitter must not exceed 5 mm; 1 to 2 mm is optimal. Use the spacer plates to compensate for the height.
4. When the window is open, the distance between transmitter and magnet must be at least 20 mm so that the transmitter switches on and off reliably.
5. Fasten magnet and transmitter so that both can only be removed with tools.

Mounting the radio receiver

1. Plug the mains plug of the exhaust appliance into the socket of the radio receiver.
2. Slide the mains plug lock over it, secure it with the plastic screw and seal the screw with the supplied sticker.
3. Plug the radio receiver into the socket. Transmitter and receiver are now ready for operation; the LED on the receiver initially flashes red.
4. Open and close the window twice. This establishes the connection.

When used with a cooker hood, the receiver must not be completely shielded by metal, as this would reduce the radio range or switch the receiver off. In this case, position it near an opening, if necessary outside the hood.

For a reliable radio link

In free field the range is up to 20 m. The actual range always depends on the individual installation.

• Obstacles, especially metals, reduce the range considerably in some cases; the distance between transmitter and receiver plays only a minor role
• Keep the receiver at least 20 cm away from the nearest metal surface
• Thick glass panes, ceramic hobs, kitchen cabinets with pots and pans as well as walls and ceilings shield radio waves
• Align the receiver so that its LED “looks” towards the transmitter
• Frequent dropouts despite a fresh battery usually indicate a poor radio link
• Ensure a good and reliable radio connection at the installation site during mounting

What the LEDs indicate

Function LED on the radio receiver

• Green: The window is fully open or tilted; 230 V is present at the receiver socket
• Red: The window is closed and the socket is switched off. The receiver always switches off in the event of faults as well
• Red, start phase: Self-test after connection to the mains; the LED lights until the transmitter is activated for the first time
• Red flashing: Power failed while the window was closed, or the system has detected a fault

Function LED on the transmitter

• Brief green: The transmitter has sent an on or off signal to the receiver when opening or closing
• Red continuously or flashing: Battery capacity is below 50 %; replace the battery soon

Battery replacement in the transmitter

Replace the CR2032 battery (3 V) when the LED on the transmitter lights or flashes red or alternately red and green, or no longer lights at all. This also applies if the exhaust appliance switches on or off when the window is open.

1. Remove the cover: Hold the device so that the LED faces forward. Gently squeeze the cover on the right and left at the height of the LED and carefully pull it upwards.
2. Align the device: Place the transmitter in front of you so that the black antenna (cable) is at the bottom right.
3. Remove the battery: Insert the supplied screwdriver vertically into the gap between the battery and the housing wall and carefully lever the battery upwards to avoid damaging the plastic.
4. Insert the new battery: Insert the new battery (type CR2032) from above into the holder and press lightly until it clicks securely into place. The lettering faces upwards.

After battery replacement

• If the exhaust appliance no longer works, check the polarity of the button cell
• To re-synchronise: close the window, wait, open, wait, close, open again. This allows transmitter and receiver to recognise each other again
• If the receiver only clicks and the exhaust appliance does not respond even though the transmitter lights green with the new battery, briefly switch the fuse of the exhaust appliance off and on again. This often acts like a reset
• High battery consumption is caused by a poor radio connection, for example if the receiver is behind stainless steel, or by frequently and long-open windows, for example when ventilating in summer. If the window is tilted, the transmitter continuously sends signals

Integrating a second window

With an additional wireless magnetic transmitter FDS 098 (article 300098) a second window can be integrated. Both transmitters operate in parallel in an OR combination; at least one window must be open for the exhaust system to function.

• The additional transmitter must be programmed at the factory by Elektrotechnik Schabus to the same coding
• The serial number is required for this; it is located on the nameplate of the radio receiver and the transmitter under the barcode
• Replacement transmitters (FDS 098, article 300098) and CR2032 batteries (article 200764) are available individually
• Transmitter and receiver are uniquely programmed to each other and may only be replaced as a set

Manufacturer’s notes

• Read the operating instructions carefully before installation and commissioning and keep them; they form part of the product
• Packaging material is not a toy and does not belong in children’s hands
• Do not open the device; it contains no user-serviceable parts
• Never recharge non-rechargeable batteries; there is a risk of explosion
• Remove exhausted batteries from the device immediately; there is an increased risk of leakage
• Batteries do not belong in household waste but at the designated collection points
• Intended for residential, commercial and industrial areas as well as small businesses
• The declaration of conformity is available for download on the manufacturer’s website

Cleaning, warranty and disposal

Avoid moisture from splash or rain water, dust and direct sunlight on the device. Clean it only with a dry linen cloth, which may be slightly dampened in case of heavy soiling, and do not use solvent-based cleaning agents.

The FDS 216 is covered by the statutory warranty of at least 2 years in the EU. Manufacturer Elektrotechnik Schabus additionally offers a 5-year guarantee that can be registered online. Repair and spare parts are available directly from the manufacturer, even beyond the statutory warranty. The prerequisite is that the device has been used in accordance with the operating instructions.

The FDS 216 does not belong in household waste. The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol on the product reminds you to use the take-back systems so that the materials can be recycled in an environmentally friendly manner at the end of their service life (WEEE Reg. No. DE91394868). Further information is available from your local waste advice centre or from the manufacturer.

Why the FDS 216 is suitable

Areas of application

• Vented tumble dryers
• Cooker hoods and other exhaust appliances with mains plug
• Rooms in which an exhaust air system is operated together with a room-air-dependent fireplace
• Rooms in which the chimney sweep requires a tested safety device in accordance with the firing ordinance

The Schabus Wireless Exhaust Air Control FDS 216: Exhaust air only when fresh air is available.

Frequently asked questions