Crestron keypads: Horizon, Cameo and Zum

Which Crestron keypad range should I choose?

• Horizon 2: the HZ2-KPCN takes up to five buttons in six assembly styles, with RGB backlighting and finishes from almond, black and white to brushed brass, dark bronze, dark nickel and black or white glass.
• Cameo: the C2NI-CB is the international version, fitting a single-gang BS 4662 or DIN 49073 box, with interchangeable button strips and backlit engraving in almond, black or white textured.
• Cameo 2: 2 to 6 buttons with full colour RGB backlighting, as plain keypads (CM2-KPCN, CM2-KPEX) or combined with a dimmer or switch (CM2-DIMEX, CM2-DIMUEX, CM2-SWEX).
• CLWI: the CLWI-KPLCN, CLWI-KPLEX and CLWI-KPLEX-BATT match CLWI dimmers and switches, in white or anthracite.
• Zum: keypads for Zum commercial lighting, which control Zum load controllers and are set up by pair and play or with the Zum app.
• Tabletop: the HTT-B10EX has ten engravable buttons for a bedside or desk, and the HTT-B2EX-BATT has two.

Most homes choose the range that suits the interior, then the buttons and engraving for each room.

Should I choose a wired or wireless keypad?

Wired Cresnet keypads, such as the HZ2-KPCN, C2NI-CB, CM2-KPCN and CLWI-KPLCN, take power and data from a four-wire Cresnet cable, drawing from 0.5 W (C2NI-CB) to 2 W (HZ2-KPCN and CM2-KPCN). They suit new builds and full renovations where control cable can be run to every position.

Wireless infiNET EX keypads suit retrofits. The CM2-KPEX runs on 100-240 VAC with a neutral, or on 60VDC, and the CLWI-KPLEX runs on 230 VAC. The CLWI-KPLEX-BATT and HTT-B2EX-BATT run on batteries, and the CLWI-KPLEX-BATT sticks onto any surface with pre-fitted tape. All of them need an infiNET EX gateway in the system.

Zum keypads work within a Zum lighting system. The ZUMMESH-KP10A and KP10B run on 100-277V AC and use Zum Mesh wireless, while the ZUMLINK-KP is wired, powered by the 24V Zum Link bus, and daisy-chains over RJ-45.

Mixing is common: wired keypads where cable exists, wireless where it does not.

How do Cameo 2 dimmers, switches and keypads work together?

Cameo 2 dimmers and switches control a local load and have keypad buttons for other scenes, all on infiNET EX:

• CM2-DIMEX: forward-phase dimming for incandescent, magnetic low voltage and tungsten-halogen loads, up to 750 W/VA at 120-240VAC.
• CM2-DIMUEX: universal phase dimming with auto-load detection, which adds LED and electronic low voltage loads, rated 600 W/VA at 120-240VAC for incandescent, halogen and magnetic loads.
• CM2-SWEX: a relay switch for up to 1200 W/VA of incandescent loads or 400 W of LED lamps at 240VAC, plus 1/2 HP motors, with a neutral required.

Each comes as a full keypad or a rocker-only (-RKR) version. To control the same lights from a second door, the CM2-AUX-RKR multiway remote or a CM2-KPEX connects to the dimmer or switch over a traveller wire, like a traditional multiway switching circuit. Without a neutral, the dimmers need a minimum load of 5 W incandescent or two LED bulbs.

What should I check when replacing or adding a keypad?

• Back box: the C2NI-CB fits a single-gang BS 4662 or DIN 49073 box. Cameo 2 in-wall devices need a box of the type Crestron specifies, with 89 mm depth recommended. The HZ2-KPCN fits a 1-gang box and projects 12 mm from the wall.
• Faceplate: Cameo 2 and CLWI faceplates are sold separately, while textured Horizon 2 models include a faceplate and backplate. Glass and metal Horizon 2 models need a separate wall mount kit.
• Network: replace like with like, Cresnet for Cresnet and infiNET EX for infiNET EX, unless you are also changing the wiring.
• Engraving: buttons can be custom engraved, and the HTT-B2EX-BATT engraving must be chosen when ordering because its buttons are not field-replaceable.
• Programming: button events (tap, double-tap, press and hold) and backlight colours are set in the control programme, so a new keypad needs adding to it.