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439DMAC - 16 channel power distribution

E-Plex AC distribution module with 16 independent channels. Each channel is capable of upto 20A AC or DC, at upto 250V.

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Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to roll back the firmware from V2.02 to V2.01?

We strongly recommend against downgrading V2.02 to V2.01. Attempting to do so can cause the 439DMAC to behave unpredictably. If you have a unit in this condition it will need returning to a dealer for re-programming.

Why are breaker(s) showing their status as tripped when in fact they are not?

On revA hardware, the breakers aux contacts are arranged in a sort of 4 x 4 grid which the processor scans across. The most likely cause of a breaker showing it's status as tripped incorrectly, is a damaged track; possibly from changing a breaker. There are also some small diodes, and even smaller resistor networks, but if you damage these it tends to wipe out 4 breakers.

What is manual mode?

During normal use, an E-Plex system operates in streaming mode. In this mode the module's behaviour is determined by the clock, which is executing the E-Logic software design. In streaming mode the relays can be controlled using any of the logic objects available in E-Logic.

The 439DMAC also supports manual mode, which can be used when the E-Plex clock is not functioning (e.g. due to hardware failure, or during system maintenance). The purpose of this mode is to allow you to force essential loads on and force non-essential loads off, in order to provide the a minimum level of functionality until streaming mode can be resumed.

The state that the relays will take when manual mode is entered can be configured in the unique properties dialogue for the 439DMAC.

How is manual mode activated?

How manual mode is entered depends on several factors:

  • The version of the firmware in the 439DMAC.
  • The version of E-Logic used to program the design.
    • The options configured in the unique properties.

The standard behaviour for the DMAC firmware is to automatically enter manual mode when streaming is stopped. However, versions of E-Logic from 1.9.5 onwards can override this (and do by default) so that you must also press the manual mode button on the device before it will enable manual mode.

Additionally, for compatibility with older systems, some versions of the firmware cannot be configured to automatically enter manual mode, so you must press the manual mode button regardless of the settings used in E-Logic. Read the release notes for your firmware version carefully in order to determine the exact behaviour.

For all new designs, where the latest version of E-Logic is being used with the latest DMAC firmware, the module will automatically enter manual mode, unless you have explicitly disabled that feature in the unique properties (in which case you must press the manual mode button).

Manual mode whilst streaming

It is also possible to force the DMAC to enter manual mode even when the clock is still streaming (regardless of firmware version or unique properties), by bringing the manual mode pin on the E-Logic object high. Bringing the pin low will cause the module to leave manual mode and resume normal streaming mode operation.

What do the manual mode relay settings mean?

When determining the desired manual mode behaviour, you have to specify two things:

  1. When manual mode is entered, should the relay hold its current state, or be forced into a specific state?
  2. If the relay is to be forced into a specific state, which state should it take?

The manual mode enable group determines which which relays will be forced into a particular state. Any relays not ticked in this group will hold their current state; any relays that are ticked will take the state determined by the corresponding box in the manual mode state group.

The manual mode state group determines what state each relay will take. If a relay is ticked, the the relay will be enabled (the normally open contact will be connected to the common contact); if a relay is not ticked, the relay will be disabled (the normally open contact will not be connected to the common contact). Remember that the setting specified in this group will only be used if the corresponding box is ticked in the manual mode enable group.

What are the connections on the 439 DMAC?

From Left to right, E-Plex ground, E-Plex positive, battery positive, battery ground. See photo below;

hardwarepub/modules/439dmac.1447241608.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/11/11 11:33 by Bob Lynas
 
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