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How to

How to


Products: RP-C, RP-C-EXT-0-10V-4, RP-C-EXT-0-10V-4-PD, RP-C-EXT-BL-2-LV-PD, RP-C-EXT-BL-4-HV-PD, RP-C-EXT-BL-SMI-2-LV-PD, RP-C-EXT-BL-SMI-4-HV-PD, RP-C-EXT-DALI, RP-C-EXT-DALI-M-PD, RP-C-EXT-IS-BLE, RP-C-EXT-MS-BLE, RP-C-EXT-REL-4, RP-V
Functionalities: Hardware
Product version: 2022, 2023, 2024
3/30/2023

Connecting RP Controller Expansion Modules to an RP Controller

You connect RP controller expansion modules to the RP controller room bus to provide the devices with power and communication from the controller.

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The RP controller room bus allows RP controller expansion modules to be connected to the controller for people counting, motion detection, luminosity and sound pressure level measurements, Bluetooth Low Energy based applications, and control of electric lights and window blinds.

Note:

RP controller models with “-M” in the product name do not support the room bus.

The maximum total length of the room bus is 72 m (236 ft). The room bus uses a Cat 5 (or higher) unshielded, straight-through wired cable with eight conductors (four twisted pairs) and RJ45 connectors. The wire size (cross-sectional area) should be 22 to 26 AWG (0.34 to 0.14 mm²). When the RP controller is installed in a space that handles conditioned air or return air, the room bus cables and IP network cables frequently must be plenum-rated to meet applicable building codes. For more information, see Wiring . 

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

  • Ensure that the total length of the room bus does not exceed 72 m (236 ft).

  • Use a Cat 5 or higher unshielded twisted pair cable with eight conductors (four twisted pairs), a cross-sectional area of 22 to 26 AWG (0.34 to 0.14 mm 2 ), and a rating that meets the requirements of the target environment.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

By default, the RP-C controller's RS-485 Com B port is configured and allocated for the room bus. For more information, see RP-C Communication Ports .

Note:

The number of RS-485 communication ports and their location differ between different controller models.

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke Location of the Room Bus ports and address switches on the RP-C controllers and RP controller expansion modules
Figure: Location of the Room Bus ports and address switches on the RP-C controllers and RP controller expansion modules

Restrictions for Connecting RP Controller Expansion Modules to the RP-C Room Bus

The maximum number of RP controller expansion modules that can be connected to the RP-C room bus, and the restrictions that apply to certain types of the modules, vary depending on the RP-C controller model. In this respect, the RP-C controller models are divided in the following two categories:

  • RP-C Advanced: RP-C-12A-F-24V, RP-C-12B-F-24V, RP-C-12C-F-24V, and RP-C-16A-F-230V

  • RP-C Pro and RP-C Pro Plus: RP-C-16B-F-24V, RP-C-16B-F-230V, and RP-C-16C-F-230V

For more information, see RP-C Models .

Important:

The restrictions listed below only apply to Connected Room Solutions for Buildings. For Connected Room Solutions for Hotels, it is recommended to use the RP-C Pro controller. For additional information on what restrictions apply to Connected Room Solutions for Hotels, see the supplementary document Architecture Guidelines – Hotel Application.

RP-C-12A-F-24V, RP-C-12B-F-24V, RP-C-12C-F-24V, and RP-C-16A-F-230V

To the room bus of the RP-C-12A-F-24V, RP-C-12B-F-24V, RP-C-12C-F-24V, and RP-C-16A-F-230V controller models, you can connect a single RP controller expansion module, or you can connect up to six devices in a daisy-chain configuration.

Note:

When connecting devices to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration, the room bus ports on the device are interchangeable.

The RP-C room bus supports up to six connected RP controller expansion modules with the following restrictions:

  • Maximum of two DALI light modules

  • Maximum of two SMI blind modules

  • Maximum of four Multi-sensor or Insight-Sensor devices

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-C room bus
Figure: Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-C room bus

Each RP controller expansion module has a rotary switch, which is used to give the device a unique address on the room bus. An RP controller expansion module can be given any address in the range of 1 to 6. Configuring the address 0 means that the device enters maintenance mode and goes offline. Configuring an address in the range of 7 to 9 also means that the device goes offline. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Room Bus Addressing . An incorrectly configured switch can cause two devices to have the same address on the room bus, which means that both devices will be offline.

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

Ensure that the rotary switch on the RP controller expansion module is configured to give the device a unique room bus address in the range of 1 to 6.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

Table: Room Bus Addresses

Address

Description

0

Maintenance mode. Device offline.

1 to 6

Valid addresses for devices connected to the room bus of the RP-C-12A-F-24V, RP-C-12B-F-24V, RP-C-12C-F-24V, and RP-C-16A-F-230V controller models.

7 to 9

Addresses not supported by the RP-C-12A-F-24V, RP-C-12B-F-24V, RP-C-12C-F-24V, and RP-C-16A-F-230V controller models or the EcoStruxure Building Operation software. Device offline.

Note:

Devices connected to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration can be assigned addresses regardless of the order in which the devices appear in the daisy chain. For example, device number 1 can have the address 6, device number 2 can have the address 4, and so on.

Note:

An RP controller expansion module can be put into different maintenance modes in which the device is either offline or online. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Maintenance Modes .

RP-C-16B-F-24V, RP-C-16B-F-230V, and RP-C-16C-F-230V

To the room bus of the RP-C-16B-F-24V, RP-C-16B-F-230V, and RP-C-16C-F-230V controller models, you can connect a single RP controller expansion module, or you can connect up to nine devices in a daisy-chain configuration.

Note:

When connecting devices to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration, the room bus ports on the device are interchangeable.

The RP-C room bus supports up to nine connected RP controller expansion modules with the following restrictions:

  • Maximum of two DALI light modules

  • Maximum of two SMI blind modules

  • Maximum of seven Multi-sensor or Insight-Sensor devices

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-C room bus
Figure: Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-C room bus

Each RP controller expansion module has a rotary switch, which is used to give the device a unique address on the room bus. An RP controller expansion module can be given any address in the range of 1 to 9. Configuring the address 0 means that the device enters maintenance mode and goes offline. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Room Bus Addressing . An incorrectly configured switch can cause two devices to have the same address on the room bus, which means that both devices will be offline.

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

Ensure that the rotary switch on the RP controller expansion module is configured to give the device a unique room bus address in the range of 1 to 9.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

Table: Room Bus Addresses

Address

Description

0

Maintenance mode. Device offline.

1 to 9

Valid addresses for devices connected to the room bus of the RP-C-16B-F-24V, RP-C-16B-F-230V, and RP-C-16C-F-230V controller models.

Note:

Devices connected to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration can be assigned addresses regardless of the order in which the devices appear in the daisy chain. For example, device number 1 can have the address 6, device number 2 can have the address 4, and so on.

Note:

An RP controller expansion module can be put into different maintenance modes in which the device is either offline or online. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Maintenance Modes .

Show More
action_close

The RP controller room bus allows RP controller expansion modules to be connected to the controller for people counting, motion detection, luminosity and sound pressure level measurements, Bluetooth Low Energy based applications, and control of electric lights and window blinds.

Note:

RP controller models with “-M” in the product name do not support the room bus.

The maximum total length of the room bus is 72 m (236 ft). The room bus uses a Cat 5 (or higher) unshielded, straight-through wired cable with eight conductors (four twisted pairs) and RJ45 connectors. The wire size (cross-sectional area) should be 22 to 26 AWG (0.34 to 0.14 mm²). When the RP controller is installed in a space that handles conditioned air or return air, the room bus cables and IP network cables frequently must be plenum-rated to meet applicable building codes. For more information, see Wiring . 

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

  • Ensure that the total length of the room bus does not exceed 72 m (236 ft).

  • Use a Cat 5 or higher unshielded twisted pair cable with eight conductors (four twisted pairs), a cross-sectional area of 22 to 26 AWG (0.34 to 0.14 mm 2 ), and a rating that meets the requirements of the target environment.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

By default, the RP-V controller's RS-485 Com B port is configured and allocated for the room bus. For more information, see Communication Ports on RP-V-4A and -5A .

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke Location of the Room Bus ports and address switches on the RP-V and RP controller expansion modules
Figure: Location of the Room Bus ports and address switches on the RP-V and RP controller expansion modules

You can connect a single RP controller expansion module, or you can connect up to four devices in a daisy-chain configuration.

Note:

When connecting devices to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration, the room bus ports on the device are interchangeable.

The RP-V Advanced controller room bus supports up to four connected RP controller expansion modules with the following restrictions:

  • Maximum of one DALI light module

  • Maximum of one SMI blind module

  • Maximum of two Multi-sensor or Insight-Sensor devices

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-V room bus
Figure: Example of supported combination of RP controller expansion modules on the RP-V room bus

Each RP controller expansion module has a rotary switch, which is used to give the device a unique address on the room bus. An RP controller expansion module can be given any address in the range of 1 to 4. Configuring the address 0 means that the device enters maintenance mode and goes offline. Configuring an address in the range of 5 to 9 also means that the device goes offline. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Room Bus Addressing . An incorrectly configured switch can cause two devices to have the same address on the room bus, which means that both devices will be offline.

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

Ensure that the rotary switch on the RP controller expansion module is configured to give the device a unique room bus address in the range of 1 to 4.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

Table: Room Bus Addresses

Address

Description

0

Maintenance mode. Device offline.

1 to 4

Valid addresses for devices connected to the RP-V room bus.

5 to 9

Addresses not supported by the RP-V controller or the EcoStruxure Building Operation software. Device offline.

Note:

Devices connected to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration can be assigned addresses regardless of the order in which the devices appear in the daisy chain. For example, device number 1 can have the address 4, device number 2 can have the address 3, and so on.

Note:

An RP controller expansion module can be put into different maintenance modes in which the device is either offline or online. For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Maintenance Modes .

Notice

LOSS OF COMMUNICATION

Locate the room bus wiring away from external electromagnetic noise sources such as high voltage cables and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for AC motors.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in loss of communication.

Notice

EQUIPMENT DAMAGE

Do not connect an Ethernet cable from the controller's RS-485 Com A port or RS-485 Com B port directly to an external Ethernet switch or router.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in equipment damage.

To connect RP controller expansion modules to an RP controller

  1. Install the RP controller expansion module and connect a Cat 5 (or higher) unshielded, straight-through wired cable with eight conductors (four twisted pairs) to one of the two RJ45 receptacles on the module. Use a cable with the wire size (cross-sectional area) 22 to 26 AWG (0.34 to 0.14 mm²).

     
    action_zoom_plus_stroke

  2. Connect the other end of the cable to the RP controller's RS-485 port that is configured for the room bus.

    Note:

    By default, the RS-485 Com B port is configured for the room bus.

     
    action_zoom_plus_stroke

  3. When an additional RP controller expansion module is needed, install the device and connect the other end of the cable to the unused RJ45 receptacle on the previous module.

    Note:

    When connecting devices to the RP controller room bus through a daisy-chain configuration, the room bus ports on the device are interchangeable.

     
    action_zoom_plus_stroke

  4. Repeat step 3 to install additional devices up to the maximum number of devices of the supported combination of RP controller expansion modules.

    The maximum total number of devices and the restrictions that apply to the number of certain types of modules vary depending on the RP controller model. For more information, see RP-C Room Bus .For more information, see RP-V Room Bus .

  5. Ensure that the rotary switch on each RP controller expansion module is configured to give the device a unique room bus address in the range supported by the RP controller model.

    For more information, see Configuring the Room Bus Address for an RP Controller Expansion Module .

    For more information, see Configuring the Room Bus Address for an RP Controller Expansion Sensor Module .

    For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Module Room Bus Addressing .

See Also

  • RP-C Controllers
  • RP-V Controllers
  • RP-C Models
  • RP-V Models
  • RP-C Room Bus
  • RP-V Room Bus
  • RP-C Communication Ports
  • Communication Ports on RP-C Models with “-F” in the Product Name
  • Communication Ports on RP-V-4A and -5A
  • Configuring the Room Bus Address for an RP Controller Expansion Module
  • Configuring the Room Bus Address for an RP Controller Expansion Sensor Module
  • RP Controller Expansion Module Room Bus Addressing