KNX Integration position_state_address is not actively polled

Configuration
1

Hi everyone,

Here’s the situation:

  • The device is a KNX shutter actuator from Gira (8-channel).
  • The position feedback is configured as a passive status object that reacts to the group address 8/6/1.
  • Home Assistant does not actively poll the position at 8/6/1.
  • In ETS6, a response is returned when reading 8/6/1.
  • The status in Home Assistant is updated when a status is sent on 8/6/1.
  • The status is not polled for any of the configured shutters.
  • A manual request in Home Assistant using knx.read worked.

What could I have misconfigured, or which parameter do I need to set in Home Assistant?

Thanks and best regards,

KNX configuration in Home Assistant:

cover:
  ...
  - name: "EG Esszimmer links"
    move_long_address: "2/6/2"
    move_short_address: "2/6/3"
    stop_address: "2/6/3"
    position_address: "2/6/15"
    position_state_address: "8/6/1"
    travelling_time_down: 21
    travelling_time_up: 21
    device_class: "blind"
  ...
2

Hi :wave:!
Are you running the latest version of HA? Normally all *_state_addresses are polled at least when the KNX connection was established.
Maybe have a look in the system logs if there are any messages from the Knx integration or xknx.

3

Wait, what does “passive” mean here?

4

Hi,
my Home Assistant version is quite up-to-date. Currently, I’m running version 2025.2.2. I can check the logs later.

5

The actuator does not actively send the status message for the position; it needs to be polled.

6

Aha. The HA KNX integration doesn’t really support that… it polls every hour by default, but that’s for a different reason (which isn’t really relevant anymore nowadays) and probably not what you are after.

I’d suggest to change the setting in your actuator to actively send the new position when stopping. Most actuators should support that (don’t think i’ve seen one that doesn’t).

7

Ah, okay. Is it planned to implement such functionality in HA? With 20 shutters closing simultaneously in the evening, there’s quite a lot going on on the bus.

8

Can I disable the hourly polling? The actuators don’t respond to a request on an active status object, which results in an error.

9

Now I’m confused. You want active polling, but on the other hand, no active polling as it doesn’t work with your actuator?

That’s 20 telegrams. Don’t worry about that, it’s fine.
And if those shutters would be polled actively… that would yield the same amount of telegrams - every poll…

10

To answer that exactly: Yes you can set it to only poll when a connection was established - or additionally every hour. But the setting only works globally for the whole knx integration. See the integration configuration here: Open your Home Assistant instance and show an integration.

11

Hi Matthias,
thank you for your quick and excellent support. And you’re right, it’s just 20 telegrams. I thought the actuator would send multiple telegrams during a movement.

Best regards,
Jürgen

12

There are actuators that can send like a telegram every second when moving… but afaik this is always optional. And it would still be only 20 telegrams per second - which shouldn’t be a problem for ~21 seconds twice a day (but it’s not necessary and also approaching bus limits… I would try not to go past ~35-40 telegrams per second at any time).