Input Wiring

These terminals provide the following connection points:

• Input terminals — Powerlink G4 controllers provide 16 input connection points and eight 24 Vdc source voltage points so that the dry-contacts of an external control device can act as a control source for an associated zone. These input terminals are designed to work with two-wire and three-wire switching devices. Eight of these terminals are bi-directional and are shared with the output function, described below. See Physical and Communication Inputs for a comparison between physical inputs and communication inputs.

• Outputs — Powerlink G4 controllers provide eight status outputs that can be used to operate pilot lights or relays. The output terminal is bi-directional and is not available for use as an output when it is used as an input connection. The total current for all outputs combined is 160mA. This limits the current available for each output to a total of 20mA, if all eight outputs are used. Choose devices that are capable of operating within these parameters. The output voltage rating is 24 Vdc.

• Analog Terminals — Terminals 1–4 are universal inputs. Configuration options are Analog or digital. Analog option are (0–5 V), (0–10 V), (4–20 mA).

• Communication Inputs — The controller provides 256 communication inputs. These inputs do not exist physically, but are control points that receive commands from the communications network. ON or OFF commands may be written to controller by any device that supports the industry standard Modbus, BACnet, DMX, or CBus open protocol. Typical devices with Modbus capability are Building Automation Systems (BAS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC). See Physical and Communication Inputs for a comparison between physical inputs and communication inputs.

The controller supports up to 16 physical inputs and up to 256 communication inputs. Physical inputs receive their signals to turn ON or OFF from dry-contact type switches (such as wall switches and occupancy sensors) that are wired to a controller’s input terminals. Communications inputs do not exist physically, rather they receive commands to turn ON or OFF across the communications network. For example, a building management system can send a command (by writing to a specific register in the controller) to turn a communication input ON or OFF across Ethernet, RS232 or RS485 communications.

All inputs (1–256) can be controlled via the communications network — both manually, from the switch, and automatically via commands from the network. For example, even though a wall switch wired to input 1 is ON, you can use the controller or Powerlink software to turn input 1 OFF via communications.

Because inputs 17–256 do not exist physically, no input type configuration is available. However, input timers, input override capabilities, and the “default action on comms loss” feature are available for all inputs.

A connector plug is provided for each of the eight sets of terminals. The wiring compartment label identifies each terminal as shown in Input/Output Connector.

Input/Output Connector

External control devices, such as wall switches, photocells, occupancy sensors, and relays can be easily connected to the controller’s input terminals. Most of these devices have a single set of contacts that provide a control signal, requiring two wires for connection. Some devices use two sets of contacts to provide a control signal, requiring three wires for connection. See Two- and Three-wire Input Connections.

Two- and Three-wire Input Connections

Two-wire Input Connection to a Bi-directional Terminal

A pilot light, relay, or other device that requires an output from the controller uses the bi-directional terminal as an output. The output function, shown in Output Connection, is only available if the bi-directional terminal is not being used as an input. Use this connection to obtain a powered signal representing the zone status of the input located on the same three-terminal connector.

Output Connection

The Wiring Compartment Terminal Diagram illustrates the position of each connector in a controller. Numbered terminals are input terminals. Numbered terminals in parenthesis can be used as either input or output terminals, allowing for up to 16 inputs.

The diagram on the LEFT shows the input terminals in the wiring compartment. The diagram on the RIGHT shows an example of connector terminal usage.

Wiring Compartment Terminal Diagram

A connector can be used in different ways (see Figure 9):

1. Single contact inputs: A device is connected to input 1, and/or a second device is connected to the bi-directional I/O terminal. The bi-directional I/O terminal is used by the controller as input 9. If the second connector was used, input 2 and/or input 10 also would be single contact inputs.

2. Dual momentary inputs: A three-wire device is connected to the connector. The bi-directional I/O terminal is not available for configuration as an independent input or status output.

3. Status outputs: The bi-directional I/O terminal is used as an output terminal for a status output, such as an LED pilot light. Input 1 is used to connect an input, and input 9 is configured to provide a status output.

4. Analog Inputs: Analog terminal 1–4 are used as input terminal with three configuration types (0–5 V, 0–10 V, 4–20 mA).

Common Input Types

Input Type	Application	Operation	Connection Diagram
Maintained Normally Open	External control devices such as photocells, time clocks, and occupancy sensors that contain a normally open contact.	The input state is commanded ON when the contacts are closed and is commanded OFF when the contacts are opened.
Maintained Normally Open with Blink	Notifies an occupant when the lights are about to turn OFF.	Same as above. Associated breakers will blink (if configured with Blink Type) in response to an OFF command.
Maintained Normally Closed	External control devices such as photocells, time clocks, and occupancy sensors that contain a normally closed contact.	The input state is commanded OFF when the contacts are closed and is commanded ON when the contacts are opened.
Maintained Normally Closed with blink	Notifies an occupant when the lights are about to go OFF.	Same as above. Associated breakers will blink (if configured with Blink Type) in response to an OFF command.
Maintained Toggle	Maintained switches used to switch lights ON and OFF	The input state alternates between ON and OFF each time the switch changes position.
Momentary Toggle	Pushbutton switches used to switch lights ON and OFF.	The input state alternates between ON and OFF each time the contacts are closed.
Dual Momentary	Dual pushbutton or return-to-center momentary switches in which one contact is used to turn lights ON and the other is used to turn lights OFF.	The input stat is commanded ON or OFF depending on which contacts are closed. (Three–wire device.)
Momentary ON	Pushbutton switches used with a timer to switch lights ON for a preset period.	The input state is commanded ON when the contacts are closed. Typically used with a timer.
Momentary OFF	Pushbutton switches used with a timer to switch lights OFF for a preset period.	The input state is commanded OFF when the contact is closed. Typically used with a timer.
Status Output	Used to annunciate the ON/OFF state of the lights when they are not visible from the position of the control device.	The bi-directional terminal provides a status output voltage for use with a pilot light or relay.

Terminal inputs 1–16 of the controller can be configured for any input type from the front panel. Terminal inputs 9–16 are limited to 2–wire input types and are not available if the other input on the same connector plug is configured as dual momentary. To use any of the bi-directional terminals as an output it must be specifically configured for status output. This terminal will then provide a powered signal representing a selected status. The output status can be reconfigured to represent any input, schedule, zone, or remote source in the controller.

Analog Input Types

Input Type	Application	Operation	Diagram
Analog 4–20 mA	External analog control devices such as photocells and light level sensors that delivers a 4–20 mA analog signal.	The input state is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal’s analog signal reach High Event threshold set in configuration and is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal's analog signal reach Low Event threshold set in configuration.
Analog 0–5 V	External analog control devices such as photocells and light level sensors that delivers 0–5 V analog signal.	The input state is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal’s analog signal reach High Event threshold set in configuration and is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal analog signal reach Low Event threshold set in configuration.
Analog 0–10 V	External analog control devices such as photocells and light level sensors that delivers 0–10 V analog signal.	The input state is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal’s analog signal reach High Event threshold set in configuration and is commanded ON/OFF when the terminal analog signal reach Low Event threshold set in configuration.

Any input can be configured with a timer that will automatically turn OFF or ON the input after a period of time. The duration of the input timer can be set for up to 18 hours. See Input Timer Types for a description of available timer types.