LIGHTWARE RAC-B501 Room Automation Controller User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- LIGHTWARE
Table of Contents
RAC-B501 Room Automation Controller
User Guide
Quick Start Guide
RAC-B501
RAC-B501 Room Automation Controller
Front View
Rear View
1 Power LED| The LED gives immediate feedback about the current power status
of the device.
off The device is not powered. blinking (green) The device is powered on.
---|---
2 User LED| Configurable user LED for action feedback purpose.
3 Function button| Special functions are available with the button (DHCP
settings, restore factory default settings, condition launching in Event
Manager).
4 GPIO port| 4-pole Phoenix® connector for configurable general purpose.
5 RS-232 port| 3-pole Phoenix® connector for bi-directional serial
communication.
6 DC input| The device can be powered by a local adaptor. For more information
see the Power Supply Options section.
7 Ethernet port with PoE input support| RJ45 connector for Ethernet
communication. The port isPoE-compatible to receive power from a remote
device.
8 Ethernet port with PoE output support| RJ45 connector for Ethernet
communication. The port is PoE-compatible to send power to a remote device.
Rack Mounting Instructions
The enclosure allows rack mounting for half-rack, quarter-rack and pocket
sized units. 1U high rack shelf provides mounting holes for fastening two
half-rack or four quarter- rack sized units. Pocket sized devices can also be
fastened on the self.
**** Always use M3x4 screws for fastening the device to the rack shelf. Using different (e.g. longer) ones may cause damage to the device.
1U high rack shelf can be ordered separately, please contact sales@lightware.com.
Important Safety Instructions
Please read the supplied safety instruction document before using the product and keep it available for future reference.
Introduction
Room Automation Controller (RAC) is an integrated room control device for
automation of complex AV systems. RAC features a processor running Event
Manager, the versatile, proprietary AV system control application of
Lightware.
RAC device can send commands to or set the volume on third-party devices as
well. Realtime clock with network time protocol and automatic daylight saving
adjustment make possible program scheduled or recurring actions in the Event
Manager.
Compatible devices
RAC has standard RS-232, Ethernet, GPIO ports and they are compatible with
other Lightware products or third-party devices which handles the same signal
levels.
Connecting Steps
RS-232| Optionally for RS-232 extension: connect a controller/controlled
device (e.g. Projector) to the RS-232 port.
---|---
GPIO| Connect a controller/controlled device (e.g. relay box) to the GPIO
port.
LAN| 1. Connect the switcher to a LAN network in order to control the device.
2. Connect a PoE-compatible device for remote powering and control to the PoE
out LAN port.
Do not connect the PoE IN and PoE OUT connectors together. The device can be
powered remotely OR can power another device but the two functions are not
working at the same time.
Power| Powering on the devices is recommended to do as the final step during
the installation. Please check the Power Supply Options section for the
details.
Wiring Guide for RS-232 Data Transmission
RAC-B501 device is built with 3-pole Phoenix connector. See the below examples
of connecting to a DCE (Data Circuit-terminating Equipment) or a DTE (Data
Terminal Equipment) type device:
Lightware device and a DCE
D-SUB 9 – Phoenix| Lightware device and a DTE
D-SUB 9 – Phoenix
---|---
|
For more information about the cable wiring see the user’s manual of the device or Cable Wiring Guide on our website www.lightware.com/support/guides- and-white-papers.
Box Contents
Power Supply Options
RAC-B501 automation device is compatible with IEEE 802.3af standard – Power
over Ethernet (PoE) – and one Ethernet port can receive, and the other one can
send power over the Ethernet line.
The room automation device can be powered by any of the following ways:
-
Local adaptor and remote power (PoE OUT)
When it is locally supplied with 48V DC adaptor, the room automation device is able to send remote power via POE OUT RJ45 connector to other PoE-compatible devices. -
Remote power injector (PoE IN)
Remotely by a PoE-compatible power injector, like a PoE-compatible switch. Connect it to the POE IN labeled RJ45 connector. -
Standalone Matrix or Matrix board (PoE IN)
Powering by a matrix board* over the CATx (TPS) cable. Output board needs to be powered by an external PSU. Connect it to the POE IN labeled RJ45 connector.
- TPS2 I/O board with PoE extension (-P)
Over the CATx cable, the Ethernet communication is transmitted.
- Local adaptor and remote power (PoE out)
- Remote power injector (PoE in)
- Matrix board (PoE in)
Software Control – Using Lightware Device Controller (LDC)
The device can be controlled from a computer through the Ethernet portusing
Lightware Device Controller. Please download the application
fromwww.lightware.com, install on Windows PC or
macOS and connect to thedevice via the Ethernet port.
Firmware Update
Lightware Device Updater (LDU2) is an easy and comfortable way to keep your device up to date. Establish the connection via Ethernet. Download and install LDU2 software from the company’s website www.lightware.com where you can find the latest firmware package as well.
Set Dynamic IP Address (DHCP)
- Keep the Function button button pressed for 5 seconds; front panel LEDs start to blink.
- Release the button, then press it 3 times quickly. DHCP is now enabled.
Restore Factory Default Settings
- Keep the Function button pressed for 10 seconds; after 5 seconds front panel LEDs start to blink but keep the button pressed; LEDs start to blink faster 5 seconds later.
- Release the button, then press it 3 times quickly; the following factory default settings are restored:
IP address (static) | 192.168.0.100 |
---|---|
Subnet mask | 255.255.255.0 |
Static gateway | 192.168.0.1 |
DHCP | Disabled |
TCP/IP port nr. LW2 / LW3 | 10001 / 6107 |
RS-232 mode | Command Injection |
RS-232 control protocol | LW2 |
RS-232 port setting | 57600 BAUD, 8, N, 1 |
RS-232 command injection port | 8001 |
GPIO output level | High |
GPIO output direction | Input |
GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output Ports)
The device has three GPIO pins which operate at TTL digital signal levels and
can be set to high or low level (Push-Pull). The direction of the pins can be
input or output (adjustable). The signal levels are the following:
| Input voltage (V)| Output voltage (V)| Max. current (mA)
---|---|---|---
Logic low level| 0 – 0.8| 0 – 0.5| 30
Logic high level| 2 -5| 4.5 – 5| 18
GPIO connector and plug pin assignment
Pin nr. | Signal |
---|---|
1, 2, 3 | Configurable |
4 | Ground |
The total available current of the controller is 180 mA.
The recommended cable for the connectors is the AWG24 (0.2 mm2 diameter) or
the generally used ‘alarm cable’ with 4×0.22 mm 2 wires.
Ethernet
The Ethernet port on the RAC-B501 can be connected to a LAN hub, switch, or
router with a LAN cable. The other one behaves as an Ethernet uplink port. The
device supports 10/100 Mbps data transfer rate. The Ethernet port has auto
crossover function. It is able to recognize and handle both cable types: patch
and cross TP cables.
RS-232
RAC device provides 3-pole Phoenix connector for bi-directional serial
communication. The unit can be controlled via serial port or it is able to
send serial messages to control devices with standard RS-232 port (e.g.
thirdparty or Lightware devices).
The signal levels are the followings:
| Output voltage (V)
---|---
Logic low level| 3 – 15
Logic high level| -15 – 3
RS-232 connector and plug pin assignment
Pin nr. | Signal |
---|---|
1 | Ground |
2 | TX data |
3 | RX data |
The RAC-B501 series works as a DCE unit according to its pin-out.
Further Information
The document is valid with the following firmware version: 1.1.2 and above
The User’s manual of this appliance is available on
www.lightware.com.
See the Downloads section on the dedicated product page.
Contact Us
sales@lightware.com
+36 1 255 3800
support@lightware.com
+36 1 255 3810
Lightware Visual Engineering LLC.
Peterdy 15, Budapest H-1071, Hungary
Doc. ver.: 1.0
19200189
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