c-bus technical training

C-Bus Technical TrainingDecember, 2004
C-Bus System Programming
Q&A
Q&A
An intelligent wiring system, which establishes the platform for the total integration of electrical services in any building.
Each module is an intelligent unit, consisting a microprocessor, non volatile memory and resident software.
Every device has a unique physical address
Each module is individually programmable over the C-Bus network.
Each module is individually identifiable over the network.
Control network using a two-wire cable
Each module is connected to the C-Bus network in parallel via an unshielded twisted pair cable.
The cable supplies voltage to C-Bus modules and provides a medium for data transfer between C-Bus modules.
C-Bus System Introduction
C-Bus System Configuration
C-Bus Power Supply
C-Bus System Protocol
The control system protocol is based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) and communication algorithms is based on Synchronous Carrier Sense, Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA / CD-CA) Standards (IEEE 802)
Carrier Sense – for sensing any message given by other unit in the
network
Multiple Access – more than one unit can be connected to the same Data Line
Collision Detection – able to avoid the data transmitted from two or more units at
the same time.
C-Bus Addressing Convention
Unit addressing
Group addressing
Area addressing
Application addressing
Network addressing
(000 – 255)
UNIT ADDRESS
(000 – 255)
NETWORK ADDRESS
(000 – 255)
C-Bus Addressing
The units with their own unique addresses are the base building block on which all subsequent addresses are constructed. Networks with their own unique addresses are final constructs encompassing the whole structure.
Addressing for C-Bus is generally allowed in two formats. These are: -
Numeric (0 – 9)
Alphanumeric (A – F)
Group address
Area address
Application address
Unit address
C-Bus Addressing
Unit Address
An unique number that identified each unit on a C-Bus network. The number range is between 0 to 255 (decimal) or 00 to FF (hex).
Group Address
Link C-Bus inputs to C-Bus outputs that it controls. 255 unique group addresses (0 to FF) and 20 characters description are allowed.
Area Address
This is a group address entered into a special Area Address field on the C-Bus Output unit and it can give master control of all channels on those relays or dimmers. 255 unique area addresses are allowed.
C-Bus Addressing
Application Address
It allows a network to be divided into “different applications” so any units in one application can be controlled without affecting units within another application. 255 unique application addresses and 20 characters description are allowed.
Network Address
Identifies each network. 255 networks are allowed in any one C-Bus installation.
Table of Contents
Q&A
C-Bus System Project Planning
A typical C-Bus project will be divided into the following stages:
Quotation
Project
Planning
Installation
Commissioning
Project Stage – Planning
The lighting schedule table for C-Bus system planning use. This tool can help us to work out the required hardware
C-Bus System Project Planning
Project Stage – Installation & Commissioning
Q&A
Operating Parameter:
Maximum total length of Cat 5 UTP cable on any one C-Bus network – 1 km.
Maximum total number of standard C-Bus units on any one network – 100.
Each standard C-Bus unit requires 18 mA @ 36VDC to operate correctly. Some C-Bus units, eg. 5500PC (PC Interface) requires 32 mA. Some C-Bus units, eg. L5508D1A (8 Channel Dimmer) are self powering and do not take current from the 36VDC Bus. Check product specification for details.
C-Bus System Design Criteria
More than one C-Bus power supply can be connected to a C-Bus network to provide sufficient power to the C-Bus units, the C-Bus power supplies will share the load evenly. Maximum total power supplies allowed: 2,000 mA (2A).
eg: 5500PS (350mA each) Maximum No. 5 (1,750mA)
L5508D1A (200mA each) Maximum No. 10 (2,000mA)
L5512RVF (200mA each) Maximum No. 10 (2,000mA)
L5104D5A (60mA each) Maximum No. 30 (1,800mA)

Any combination of power supply units is allowed as long as the total power available is 2,000mA or less.

Each C-Bus network requires one network burden only. This network burden can be found on the following units:
5500PC PC Interface (software selectable)
5222CB/2 HomeMinder C-Bus Interface (hardware selectable)
L5508D1A 8 Channel DIN Dimmer (software selectable)
L5512RVF 12 Channel DIN Relay (software selectable)
L5104D5 4 Channel PRO Dimmer (software selectable)
Or can be made up using a 1K Ohm 0.5W resistor and a 10F 100V electrolytic capacitor in series connected across the C-Bus 36V rails.
R
C

Maximum number of networks connected in series to the local network: 7 (ie. using 6 Network Bridges). More networks can be achieved by the combination of star and series wiring altogether.
C-Bus power supply units (including DIN and PRO units) may be connected to different phases.
Individual Relay channels may be connected to different phases. On all Din Rail Dimmers, the 240V supply to the units power supply and the 240V supply to the output channels must be on the same phase.
The isolation between the 240Vac mains circuitry and the 36VDC C-Bus circuitry is greater than 3.5kV. This is achieved using double wound transformers and opto isolators. This means the C-Bus wiring, connections and circuitry can be considered Safety Extra Low Voltage.
The C-Bus Network Connection is fulfilled by the following wiring configuration :
RJ Pin
C-Bus Connection
C-Bus Wiring:
The C-Bus system should be wired using Category 5 (Cat 5) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP).
The most common form that this wire comes in is four twisted pairs. The four twisted pairs are colour coded.
Orange + Blue:
Which wire to use
To maintain noise immunity it is required that the twist that exists between pairs is maintained when they are connected to the +ve and –ve C-Bus terminals.
Connecting the Cat 5 cable to the Screw Terminal
Cat 5 cable is most commonly single strand 0.2 sq mm copper in each conductor.
Care must be taken when twisting the conductors together that the wire does not break.
Care must also be taken to ensure all wires are secure.
Conductors Twisted Together
Maximum 2 conductors.
YES
Connecting the Cat 5 cable to the Screw Terminal
By using a small ‘boot lace’ or ferrule crimp up to 4 CAT 5 conductors can be securely held.
Depending on the size of crimp used more than one crimp may be held in a terminal.
Conductors Crimped Together
Maximum 4 conductors.
Local Toggle Buttons
The DIN and PRO series C-Bus outputs are equipped with Local Toggle control for each output channel. These control buttons will operate as long as mains is connected to the DIN unit. They do not require the C-bus connection to be wired in. Pressing the local toggle control button will alternately turn the load wired to the respective channel On and Off. This function allows you to check that the mains wiring is correct and that the loads switched by each channel are correct.
Quick Toggle Control
When your PC is connected to the C-Bus network there is the facility to turn a Group Address or Area Address on and off using mouse button commands. This allows you to check that the correct Group or Area Address has been assigned to a load.
C-Bus Calculator
All the C-Bus units that are to be used on a project can be programmed in and the C-Bus calculator checks that the requirements for maximum number of units, adequate number of power supplies, clock generating units, etc have been allowed for.
C-Bus Network Analyser 5000NA
This product is temporarily connected to a C-Bus network. The network analyser will indicate the status of the C-Bus power supply, network burden, system clock and acceptable cable length.
C-Bus MMI Status Report
The MMI (Multipoint to Multipoint Instruction) can be used to question a C-Bus Network. It is accessed by opening the C-Bus software, and clicking on the Network Status Report Button in the tool bar. The MMI provides a display which is a quick means of checking the units on a C-Bus Network, as well as displaying the state of group addresses. The status can be requested manually by pressing the Status button, or automatically by clicking on the Auto button.
C-Bus Diagnostic Utility
The C-Bus Diagnostics Software allows the user to set the mode of a C-Bus Serial Interface and send command strings to C-Bus and to observe the data traffic. Actually, it can be applied for C-Bus Monitoring & Controlling Event Log.
Fact to Know
All C-Bus units leave the factory with a default Unit Address (identity) of ‘255’. Before it is connected to a C-Bus system a new unique Unit Address must be assigned.
Q&A
Control Panel Box
All C-Bus Output components should be placed into a metal enclosure in order to provide a better protection, safety operation and easier maintenance.
Design examples are given here for better understanding all requirements.
C-Bus Lighting Equipment Wiring Diagram
C-Bus Lighting Floor Plan Diagram
C-Bus Lighting Control Plan Layout
MCB Box Assignment (optional).
In addition, it is strongly suggested to install the MCB units into the Panel Box in order to make the maintenance work safely and simply.
Please also refer to the product installation manual about the suggested assembly work.
Control Panel Box & System Cable
Design Example 1
Motorized Speakers
Projector Lift
Electrical Screen
System Cable Installation Requirements
If the C-Bus cable and 220Vac cable are run in parallel, at least 150mm segregation between the cables of both type should be provided from the Control Panel Box.
When C-Bus must cross 220Vac cable, ensure crossover occurs at Right Angles with adequate segregation (i.e. at least 45mm).
150mm
220Vac

L E N
1A 1B 2A 2B 3A 3B 4A 4B 5A 5B 6A 6B
7A 7B 8A 8B 9A 9B 10A 10B 11A 11B 12A 12B
C

Control Panel Box Dimensions
Design Example 2

36Vdc Power Supply Units
220Vac
Remark: the Power Supply units should be evenly distributed along the C-Bus network cable in order to keep
the voltage drop between both ends of the cable connection as less as possible. Again, it is strongly
suggested to install the MCB units into each individual panel box.
36Vdc Power Supply Units
Refer to the given graph, it shows the C-Bus voltage variation along the C-Bus network cable after those C-Bus Power Supply units are evenly distributed from Zone A to the last Zone.
0
Panel Board Design Sample
AC Power Assignment Plan for External MCB Panel Box

Length Limitations of Ethernet Networks
10Base-T Ethernet networks have important length limits. Exceeding these lengths will result in packet loss and network failures, resulting in an unreliable system.
Here are some simple rules you can apply to keep your network operating correctly :
10Base-T cables must be less than 100 meters long (when measured from device to Hub, or Hub to Hub);
There must be no more than 3 Hubs between the far ends of the networks;
10Base-FL Fiber-Optic segments must be less than 1000m long.

Q&A
Installing C-Bus Installation Software
The C-Bus Software is available free for download off of the Clipsal Integrated Systems website at: -
http://www.clipsal.com/cis/downloads.php3
The C-Bus Software will be downloaded to the PC in a *.ZIP format. Once this is unzipped the user will find three files: -
Setup.exe
Setup.wo2
Setup.wo3
Running C-Bus Installation Software
As a part of the installation, there are a number of custom folders created for the C-Bus Software. These folders can be found on the C:\ drive with the path: -
C:\Clipsal\CBUSV2
In this folder the user will find many files, but more importantly the: -
Cbusprj.exe (Project Manager)
Cbusv2.exe (C-Bus V2.6 Software)
To run the C-Bus Software of the Project Manager, click on the start button in windows. Then Navigate to the Programs, Clipsal and C-Bus V2 folders.
Inside the C-Bus V2 folder is shown below.
To create a new C-Bus project, click on the project manager.
To run the C-Bus Software simply click on C-Bus V2.
Scanning C-Bus Network
To scan a C-Bus Network using the C-Bus software, simply select the network drop down menu and click on ‘Local Network’, as shown below. This will perform a network scan. This can also be done by using a hotkey ‘F2’.
All new C-Bus units are programmed with unused group addresses and have the unit address set to FF. You may need to use a function in the C-Bus software to unravel the conflicting unit addresses. This is done by selecting the network drop down menu and clicking on ‘Automatically Fix Unit Conflicts,’.
Once the network has been scanned in the window shown below will appear indicating all of the units on the network, and providing access to program all of these units.
Now, run the Project Manger under File menu as below
Creating A New C-Bus Project
Once the Project Manager has been opened, the screen below will appear. To create a new C-Bus project, click on the button in the project manager toolbar.
This will open the new project window. Give the project a name and determine how many networks will be used. For this example use ‘Single Network Project.’
Click on the button. You will now notice that the project now appears in the project list in the main project manager screen as shown below.
Creating Group Address
A Group Address can be created in the project manager. Simply select the Local Network branch of the project you wish to add the group addresses to. Following this make sure the groups tab is selected as shown below.
+
Group description fields now have values. These values can be changes if wanted, but for the sake of this exercise just leave the addresses in numeric form.
+
highlight the group that you wish to delete and click on the button.

Programming C-Bus Output Units
To program a C-Bus output unit, simply double click on the output unit, in this example that would be the four channels dimmer. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Click on one of the channels that are set to unused as shown below. Notice that the group addresses created in the project manager now appear in the Group Address list. Select a group address to assign to a particular channel.
Continue to do this for all of the channels. Once all channels are programmed, click on the button. This will allow the user to save to the database and / or the network as shown below. The save will occur if there is cross in the check box.
Click on OK again and then click the ‘Close’ button.
Programming C-Bus Input Units
To program a C-Bus input unit, simply double click on the input unit, in this example that would be the four key input unit. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Right mouse click on one of the four key buttons as shown below. This will open a list of features to select. Click on ‘Select Another Group.’
This will open a list of group addresses as shown below. Select a group address to assign to a particular key, and repeat this for all keys.
Once all channels are programmed click on the OK button.
Now when any of the keys on the input unit are pressed, the output channel will toggle to on.
Programming C-Bus Occupancy Sensors
To program a C-Bus Occupancy sensor, simply double click on the sensor unit, in this example that would be the normal PIR sensor unit. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Left mouse click the group address box and select the required one. Then set the timer value such as the hour, minute and second.
The next step is to assign a button for Sensor Enable or Disable as shown below. This Enable or Disable function will be associated with a group address. Lastly, click on the OK button to save to the database and / or the network.
Programming C-Bus Light Level Sensors
To program a C-Bus Light Level sensor, simply double click on the sensor unit. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Programming C-Bus Light Level Sensors
Left mouse click the Enable box and select the group address if required. Then choose another group address for either On/Off or Level (Dim up/down) box based on the control requirement.
For On/Off control, set both Target value and Margin value. The Target value represents the Light Level operation value in Lux while the Margin value represents the maximum allowed variation of the light level.
For Level control, set the Target value only. The dimmer output will be periodically regulated higher or lower based on the preset Target value.
Programming C-Bus Scene Controllers
To program a C-Bus Scene Control unit, simply double click on the input unit, in this example that would be the four key input unit. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Programming C-Bus Scene Controllers
Now press the button to create a control group and assign the Turn or Ramp function as shown above. The Turn function represents the On/Off control while the Ramp function represents the dimming control. Then, choose a group address for this control group.
+
Programming C-Bus Network Bridge
Before this unit is programmed, run project manager and highlight the new project. Then click icon in the toolbar.
After the C-Bus Topology window is opened, add a new network to the Local network as shown below. The Network 2 is created by using the (add network) icon and (add bridge) icon in the Topology toolbar.
To program a C-Bus System unit, simply double click on the Network Bridge unit in the Local Network Database window. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Tick the “Send to adjacent network” and then click OK button to save the setting in the Database and / or Network.
Now, go to the Network 2 Database window and double click on the Network Bridge unit. This will open up the graphical user interface (GUI) as shown below.
Tick the ‘Connect Application’ box and then click OK button to save the setting in the Database and / or Network.
Programming C-Bus Network Interface
Before the Network Interface unit is programming, connect this unit with the PC computer as shown below:
Now, open the Dos Command Prompt under Windows and use the “arp” command to set an IP address for the Network Interface. Refer to the following figure, type in the “arp -s” command. Then assign a new IP address (i.e. 192.168.1.10) and the unit’s Mac address (available from the sticker on the unit, i.e. 00-20-4A-72-61-8F). Remember to set the Network Interface unit’s IP address close to the PC computer’s IP address.
Then open a Telnet connection on port 1. The connection will fail quickly, but the Network Interface will temporarily change its IP address to the one designated in step.
Finally, open a Telnet connection to port 9999 and set all required parameters.
This IP address is temporary and will revert to the default value when the Network Interface power is reset, unless you log into the Network Interface and store the changes permanently.
Setting Up A C-Bus Project
To set a project open the C-Bus software and the screen below will appear.
To set a project, select network on the drop down menu and then click on Set Project as shown in the figure below.
Following that the screen below will appear. This will contain a list of all the C-Bus projects created. Please note that the project created in the project manager now appears in the project list. Select ‘Test’ project and click on the OK button.
Note: - To successfully set a project, the PC must be connected to a live C-Bus Network.
Once the project has been set, the screen below should appear indicating that the project has been set successfully.
OK
Transfer Database Into Network
First of all, remember to connect the live C-Bus network to the PC and open the required Database file in the C-Bus Installation software. Choose “Database -> Network” under the Transfer menu as shown below.
Then those pre-programmed data will be started to download into all C-Bus units through the PC interface.
Table of Contents
Q&A
By Hardware Method
After all C-Bus Output Units are connected to both Power Supply and Lamp Loads, the wiring connection test of all loadings can be carried out by pressing each override button on the output unit panel as shown in the figure 1. It can tell us the proper loading connection.
Unit
C-Bus
1
2
6
5
3
4
7
8
11
9
10
CLIPSAL
12
By Hardware Method
For example, the lamp load connected to output channel 1 should be on after the override button of channel 1 as shown in below figure is pressed on.
T&C and Trouble Shooting
By Software Method
A Quick Toggle function under the C-Bus Installation software can also be applied in order to verify both the proper loading connection and assigned group address as shown in the following figure
By Hardware Method
Run the C-Bus Installation Software and scan the Local Network
Choose “Quick Toggle” function from Show Template function
Choose the wanted Group Address box and double click it
The related output channel should be turned on
Now, double click it again
This channel should be turned off
Basic Trouble Shooting
Normally, the C-Bus System may involve the following failure problems :
36VDC or 220VAC supply is not stable or even failed
System Clock is missing
Network Burden is missing
Component is failed
The engineer should firstly verify the system design status such as the Operating Voltage & Current, total Installed Units in a network, the Cable length and then the System clock & Network burden. The following tools are generally employed in our trouble-shooting work.
Using the C-Bus Calculator
The C-Bus Calculator can automatically determine how much current is being used, how many power supplies are needed and if network burden is needed. It also monitors how many C-Bus units are on the network.
Using the C-Bus Installation Software
The MMI (Multipoint to Multipoint Instruction) can be used to question a C-Bus Network by clicking on the Network Status Report Button in the tool bar as below.
There are two basic Status Types that the MMI views. They are :
Installation MMI
Application MMI
Installation MMI
The Installation MMI determines the presence of a C-Bus unit at a particular unit address, where the Application MMI determines the status of a group address on a particular application. The status can be requested manually by pressing the Status button, or automatically by clicking on the Auto button.
Installation MMI
If a MMI report returns an error state it will display a unit address or group address highlighted red. This red number indicates the address of where the error lies a shown below.
Installation MMI
Once the MMI detects an error, it will try to determine the exact cause of it. By clicking on the ‘Error Status’ tab, the nature of the error can be view as shown below.
03 – Two or more units share the address
Using a Multimeter
Apply the Voltmeter to check the AC mains voltage and the C-Bus operating voltage.
Apply the Ohmmeter to check the Short circuit and Open circuit on a C-Bus network. The symptoms of a short on a C-Bus Network would be:
All input LED’s and C-Bus indicators on output units are off.
The C-Bus Voltage is 0V
Using a Multimeter
Incorrect C-Bus pairs used on installation.
Loose terminations shorting to another terminal on installation.
Moisture partially shorting two terminals.
Foreign objects shorting C-Bus terminals.
The two simplest ways of checking for a short circuit on a C-Bus Network are to use a Multimeter on the Resistance and Audible Continuity Test settings.
Using a Multimeter
An Open circuit condition is another symptom of an incorrect installation. An open circuit may cause units on a particular side of the C-Bus Network not to operate. It is usually found by using successive approximation.
Start testing the network at the half way point. Find the side that is not getting receiving C-Bus commands and continue this process until the open circuit had been found.
Using the LED Indicators on C-Bus Output Unit
In general, the common system faults can also be found out through the displayed status of the indicators as shown below:
C-Bus Indicator :
C-Bus Status
Clock Present
Using the LED Indicators on C-Bus Output Unit
Unit Indicator :
Unit Status
Mains Power
At least one channel in local or remote override mode
Off
Fail
Using C-Bus Diagnostic Utility
The C-Bus Diagnostics Software allows the user to set the mode of a C-Bus Serial Interface and send command strings to C-Bus and to observe the data traffic.
There is a list, which shows the transmitted data and received data. The transmitted data is the data sent by the user to C-Bus via the C-Bus Serial Interface. The received data is the data, which comes back from the C-Bus Serial Interface.
Note: - The C-Bus Diagnostic Utility can only communicate through a PC Interface only. It does not support the C-Bus Network Interface (CNI).
Click on the ‘Option’ Menu
Select ‘Program Options’
Select the appropriate COM Port and click the ‘OK’ button
Click on the ‘C-Bus’ Menu
Select ‘Connect to PC Interface’
Once the software has successfully connected to a PC Interface, a similar message to the one shown below will appear.
Set the PC Interface into various modes
Perform Installation, Application and Level MMI’s (Multipoint to Multipoint Instruction)
Identify any C-Bus unit on the network
Get the PC Interface Data
Monitor C-Bus commands via the Traffic Analyser
Control C-Bus with the Command Generator
Another feature provided by this software tool is the real time event log for system evaluation use as shown below :
Table of Contents
Q&A
being maintained between the
two positive conductors and
Power
Supply
PC
Interface
-
Bus products prior to
delivery to site set up your computer, a 5100PC interface and
a 5100PS power supply. (Ensure the 5100
PC has a Unit
-
Bus unit to be programmed, assign Unit Address
and any other information that you wish to enter at this point.
Disconnect the unit. Mark the Unit A
ddress and fix on unit.
Power
Supply
PC
Interface
10

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