Table of contents:
- Electrically operated belt winder
- Select an electrically operated belt winder
- Connect the electrical belt winder
- Electric belt winder: install step by step
- Cost of electric belt winder
- Roller shutter motor in the roller shutter box (plug-in drive)
- Select the roller shutter motor
- Installation of the electric tubular motor
- Electrical connection of the tubular motor
- Cost of a tubular motor

Video: Electric shutters: How to install a roller shutter motor

How to install electric shutters? Actually very easy, and in just a few steps - depending on the system. This not only saves money, but also muscle strength in the long run.
A roller shutter without an electric drive can often only be pulled up and closed with difficulty. It is easier with an electric drive that is operated at the push of a button. This not only brings more comfort, but can also save energy and money at best using time control. There are two different options for the electric drive: the electric belt winder drive or the plug-in drive. You can get the first overview with the following table:
Belt winder drive |
Insert drive |
---|---|
Simple surface or flush mounting |
Installed in the roller shutter box |
Control via buttons on the device, timer, radio |
Control by switch, timer, radio |
Louder than plug-in drive |
Very quiet |
Long life span |
|
Higher burglary protection |
Electrically operated belt winder
An electrically operated belt winder has a built-in motor that rolls up the existing belt. Only one button has to be pressed to open and close the roller shutter. Depending on the model, a timer can also be integrated so that the roller shutter opens and closes at certain times. Particularly good devices even have a radio receiver and enable control by radio remote control.
Select an electrically operated belt winder
Before you start retrofitting, you should first calculate the pulling force. Because the larger and heavier the roller shutter, the higher the force that the electric belt drive has to cope with.
To calculate the pulling force, simply multiply the size of the roller shutter (width x height) by the material of the roller shutter. Basically you can expect around 5 kg / m² for a roller shutter made of plastic. A guideline value of 7 kg / m² applies to aluminum shutters and approximately 11 kg / m² for wooden shutters.
Example calculation: The roller shutter has a width of 2.80 meters, a length of 1.90 meters and is made of plastic.
So you calculate the pulling force as follows: 2.80 mx 1.90 mx 5kg = 26.6 kg
So you need an electric belt winder with a pulling force of at least 26.6 kg. You can usually find this information in the description of the provider
Connect the electrical belt winder
To connect the belt winder, you should make sure that there is a socket nearby. Check in advance whether there is 230 volts and make sure that there are no cables in the wall that can be accidentally drilled. In general, it is advisable to have this work carried out by a specialist.
Now grab an installation cable NYM-J 3 x 1.5 and lay it away from the socket to the belt winder. Tip: This project is best suited as part of a renovation, because then you can lay the supply line under plaster and then repaint the walls. Otherwise, you can also pull a surface-mounted duct measuring 15 x 15 millimeters.
It is very important to make the connection only when the power is off.
Note the following:
- Green and yellow wire: protective conductor
- Blue wire: neutral conductor
- Black / brown wire: Live conductor
First the protective conductor (green-yellow) is connected to the protective conductor terminal. Then the blue wire is clamped on terminal "N". Finally, the black / brown wire is clamped on terminal "L".
Electric belt winder: install step by step

Remove the belt winder.
Photo: somfy
Step 1
Lower the roller shutter completely. Then remove the cover and remove the belt winder. Carefully relax the spring by hand and unscrew the belt from the belt winder.

Install the new belt winder.
Photo: somfy
2nd step
Now you can install the new electric belt winder (here Easylift from Somfy). To do this, release the housing shell by simultaneously pressing the side buttons down.

Screw the belt winder tight.
Photo: somfy
3rd step
Now push the belt winder into the wall pocket and screw it tight.

Strap the battery into the case and charge it.
Photo: somfy
4th step
The battery is strapped into the housing with a rubber strap. To charge it, push the device plug into the socket (230 volt) and wait until the battery is full.

Put the shell back on and shorten the end of the belt.
Photo: somfy
5th step
Now put on the housing shell.

Shorten the end of the belt.
Photo: somfy
6th step
Shorten the hanging belt end exactly half a meter above the upper edge of the belt winder.

Clip the sheet onto the belt and bevel the corners.
Photo: somfy
7th step
Clip the sheet onto the belt and bevel the corners.

Now mark 18.5 centimeters from the end of the belt.
Photo: somfy
8th step
Now mark 18.5 centimeters from the end of the belt.

Push the belt into the housing up to the mark.
Photo: somfy
Step 9
And finally push the belt into the housing up to the mark - it tightens itself.
Cost of electric belt winder
Electric belt winder with sensors |
Around 70-135 euros |
extension cable |
Around 20-30 euros |
Channel 15 x 15 millimeters |
Around 10 euros |
Other Material |
Around 30 euros |
Working time skilled worker (depending on the effort) |
Around 100 euros |
Roller shutter motor in the roller shutter box (plug-in drive)
The second option for electrically upgrading a roller shutter is a tubular motor. This is installed in the shaft in the roller shutter box. Roller shutter motors have the advantage of being particularly durable. They can also be equipped with timers and even integrated into a smart home system. If you are willing to spend a little more money, you can even mount a motor with stall detection. This protects the roller shutter from damage or obstacles.
With plug-in drives, a distinction must be made between motors with electromechanical and electronic limit switches.
Good to know: The limit switch determines when the motor stops the roller shutter when opening and closing.
Electromechanical limit switch
Motors with an electromechanical limit switch have a particularly long service life. You can set the end points manually on the motor head. Depending on how much the temperatures change from season to season, you have to readjust occasionally.
Electronic limit switch
With this type, the end points are set automatically. Either using a setting cable or a setting button on the motor head. The advantage: If you want to change something at the end points later, you do not have to open the roller shutter box. It is also possible to operate two or more drives using a switch or a timer when the windows are next to each other.
Select the roller shutter motor
First measure the diameter of the roller shutter shaft to select the correct tubular motor.
Afterwards, it is also important in this case to determine the pulling force of the roller shutter. Simply use the formula described above and choose a tubular motor that has at least the calculated tensile force.
Installation of the electric tubular motor
In order to be able to install a tubular motor, a minimum width of the roller shutter box is required. This width depends on the space that must be available to the tubular motor in the roller shutter shaft.
The drive head of the motor can be installed on the left as well as on the right side. In this guide we chose the right side.
Assemble the bearing
The bearings must first be assembled. To do this, determine the position of the drive and counter bearing in the roller shutter box. Wind the roller shutter cover on the winding shaft and measure the diameter.
Watch out! If the roller shutter is installed, it must run vertically into the guide rail during winding.
When mounting the drive bearing, you should make sure that the set button is easily accessible and that the motor cable can be laid without kinks.
Determine the length of the winding shaft
First measure the wall distance from the drive bearing (B) and counter bearing (C), then measure the roller shutter box (A) and determine the required wavelength by adding B and C and then subtracting from A: L = A - (B + C).
Push the tubular motor into the winding shaft
If you push the tubular motor into the winding shaft, you have to be very careful. First push the driver into the winding shaft. You can then press the winding shaft fully onto the adapter.
Insert the roller capsule
Push the roller capsule into the winding shaft and then put the ball bearing on the axle pin.
Installation of the engine in the bearings
On the side of the drive bearing, hang the drive head in the drive bearing and secure it with a split pin. Make sure that the set button is easily accessible.
On the side of the counter bearing, insert the other end of the winding shaft with the ball bearing into the counter bearing. Then secure the drive bearing with a second split pin.
Tip: If the dimensions are inaccurate, you can push the roller capsule in or out a little. However, it must always be at least two thirds of its length in the winding shaft.
Finally, secure the roller capsule with a screw.
Assembly of the roller shutter curtain
Now you should mount the roller shutter curtain on the winding shaft with fastening springs. To do this, slide the fastening springs onto the top lamella of the roller shutter curtain and insert a fastening spring into the rectangular holes in the winding shaft every 40 centimeters.
Good to know: These springs are absolutely necessary for motors that have a safety shutdown. Otherwise the safety shutdown may not work correctly.
Electrical connection of the tubular motor
The electrical connection should definitely be done by a specialist. In addition, work on the electrical system may only be carried out in a de-energized state.
Color scale of the motor cable
Blue: neutral conductor
Black: direction of rotation 1
Gray: direction of rotation 2
Brown: set line
Green / yellow: ground
Cost of a tubular motor
Tubular motor including accessories |
Around 270 euros |
Costs for the electrician |
Around 150 euros |
Installation of the new roller shutter |
Around 250 euros |
total cost |
Around 670 euros |
Lea Straub editors haus.de