Control4 EA-5 Controller Installation Guide

Supported Models

• C4-EA5: Entertainment and Automation Controller, 5 Zone
• C4-EA5-V2: Entertainment and Automation Controller, 5 Zone, V2

Box Contents

• EA-5 controller
• AC power cord
• IR emitters (8)
• Rack ears (2, pre-installed on the EA-5 V2)
• Rubber feet (2, pre-installed on the EA-5 V1)
• External antennas (3 with EA-5 V1, 1 with EA-5 V2)
• Terminal blocks for contacts and relays

Accessories Sold Separately

• Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B)
• Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter for EA-5 V2 (C4-USBWIFI or C4-USBWIFI-1)

Warnings

Caution! To reduce the risk of electrical shock, do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture.

Avertissement ! Pour réduire le risque de choc électrique, n'exposez pas cet appareil à la pluie ou à l'humidité.

Caution! In an over-current condition on USB or contact output the software disables the output. If the attached USB device or contact sensor does not appear to power on, remove the device from the controller.

Avertissement ! Dans une condition de surintensité sur USB ou sortie de contact le logiciel désactive sortie. Si le périphérique USB ou le capteur de contact connecté ne semble pas s'allumer, retirez le périphérique du contrôleur.

Requirements and Specifications

Note: We recommend using Ethernet instead of WiFi for the best network connectivity.

Note: The Ethernet or WiFi network should be installed before you install the EA-5 controller.

Note: The EA-5 V2 requires OS 2.10.2 or higher. The EA-5 V1 requires OS 2.8.1 or higher.

Composer Pro is required to configure this device. See the Composer Pro User Guide (ctrl4.co/cpro-ug) for details.

Specifications

Additional Resources

• Control4 Knowledgebase: kb.control4.com and Dealer Forums: forums.control4.com
• Control4 Technical Support
• Control4 website: www.control4.com
• Composer Pro documentation: Available in online help or PDF format on the Dealer Portal under Support: ctrl4.co/docs

Front View

• A Data LED: Indicates that the controller is streaming audio.
• B IR window: IR blaster and IR receiver for learning IR codes.
• C Caution LED: Shows solid red, then blinks blue during the boot process. Flashes orange during the factory restore process.
• D Link LED: Blue LED indicates the controller has been identified in a Control4 Composer project and is communicating with Director.
• E Power LED: Blue LED indicates AC power is connected. The controller turns on immediately after power is applied.

Back View

• A Power plug port: AC power receptacle for an IEC 60320-C13 power cord.
• B WIFI 1: Antenna 1 for the WiFi radio (EA-5 V1 only).
• C Contact/Relay port: Connect up to four relay devices and four contact sensor devices to the terminal block connector. Relay connections are COM, NC (normally closed), and NO (normally open). Contact sensor connections are +12, SIG (signal), and GND (ground).
• D GIGABIT SWITCH: Four-port gigabit Ethernet switch to connect other local devices to the network.
• E ETHERNET IN: RJ-45 jack for a 10/100/1000BaseT Ethernet connection.
• F USB: One port for an external USB drive or, on an EA-5 V2, the optional Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter.
• G E-SATA: One port for an external eSATA drive.
• H WIFI 2: Antenna 2 for the WiFi radio (EA-5 V1 only).
• I SERIAL: Two serial ports for RS-232 control.
• J ID and FACTORY RESET: ID button to identify the device in Composer Pro. The ID button on the EA-5 V2 also functions as an LED for factory restore feedback. FACTORY RESET button restores controller to factory defaults or reboots it.
• K HDMI OUT: An HDMI port to display system menus and output audio over HDMI.
• L IR / SERIAL: Eight 3.5 mm jacks for up to eight IR emitters or a combination of IR emitters and serial devices. Ports 1 and 2 can be configured independently for serial control or IR control.
• M DIGITAL AUDIO: Two digital coax audio input and two output ports. Allows audio sharing over the local network to other Control4 devices.
• N ANALOG AUDIO: Two stereo audio input and two output ports. Allows audio sharing over the local network to other Control4 devices.
• O ZIGBEE: Antenna for the ZigBee radio.

Installing the Controller

1. Ensure that the home network is in place before starting system setup. The controller requires a network connection (Ethernet recommended or WiFi) for all features.
2. Mount the controller in a rack or on a shelf, ensuring adequate ventilation.
3. Connect the controller to the network:
   • Ethernet: Plug the data cable from the home network into the controller's RJ-45 port (labeled "ETHERNET IN") and the network port.
   • WiFi: First connect the controller via Ethernet, then use Composer Pro System Manager to reconfigure for WiFi.
   Important: Do not install your EA controller on a 172.18.xxx.xxx subnet.
4. Connect system devices, such as IR and serial devices, as described in "Connecting the IR ports/serial ports" and "Setting up IR emitters."
5. Set up any external storage devices as described in "Setting up external storage devices."
6. Power up the controller by plugging the power cord into the controller's power port and then into an electrical outlet.

Mounting the Controller in a Rack

Using the pre-installed rack-mount ears, the EA-5 can be mounted in a rack. The ears can be reversed for rear rack mounting if needed.

To attach the rubber feet to the controller:

1. Remove the two screws in each of the rack ears on the bottom of the controller. Remove the rack ears.
2. Remove two additional screws from the controller case and place the rubber feet on the controller.
3. Secure the rubber feet with three screws each.

Pluggable Terminal Block Connectors

The EA-5 uses pluggable terminal block connectors for contact and relay ports. These are removable plastic parts that secure individual wires.

To connect a device to the pluggable terminal block:

1. Insert one of the device's wires into the appropriate opening in the terminal block.
2. Use a small flat-blade screwdriver to tighten the screw and secure the wire.

Example: To add a motion sensor, connect its wires to the following contact openings:

• Power input to +12V
• Output signal to SIG
• Ground connector to GND

Connecting the Contact Ports

The EA-5 provides four contact ports on pluggable terminal blocks. Examples of connections:

• Motion sensor (needs power): Connect sensor wires to +12V, SIG, and GND terminals.
• Dry Contact sensor (e.g., door contact): Connect sensor wires to +12 and SIG terminals.
• Externally powered sensor (e.g., driveway sensor): Connect sensor wires to +12, SIG, and GND. Ensure the external 12V power source is also connected to the +12 terminal.

Connecting the Relay Ports

The EA-5 provides four relay ports on pluggable terminal blocks. Examples of connections:

• Single-relay device, normally open (e.g., Fireplace): Connect device wires to COM and NO terminals.
• Dual-relay device (e.g., Blinds): Connect UP and DOWN control wires to separate COM and NO terminals for each relay.
• Relay with power from the contact, normally closed (e.g., Amplifier trigger): Connect device wires to COM and NC terminals. Power is supplied via the +12V contact terminal.

Connecting the Serial Ports

The EA-5 controller provides four serial ports. SERIAL 1 and SERIAL 2 connect to a standard DB9 serial cable. IR ports 1 and 2 (serial 3 and 4) can be reconfigured for serial communication or used for IR. Connect serial devices using the Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B, sold separately).

1. Serial ports support baud rates from 1200 to 115200 with odd/even parity. Serial ports 3 and 4 do not support hardware flow control.
2. Refer to Knowledgebase article #268 (dealer.control4.com/dealer/knowledgebase/article/268) for pinout diagrams.
3. Configure serial port settings in Composer Pro. Connecting the port to a driver applies the driver's serial settings.

Note: Serial ports 3 and 4 can be configured as straight-through or null-modem in Composer Pro. They default to straight-through.

Setting up IR Emitters

The EA-5 controller has 8 IR ports. Connect included IR emitters to IR OUT ports. Remove adhesive backing from the emitter end and affix it over the IR receiver on the device to be controlled.

Setting up External Storage Devices

Connect a USB drive or eSATA drive to the respective port. Configure or scan media in Composer Pro. NAS drives are also supported; see the Composer Pro User Guide for details.

Note: Only externally powered USB drives or solid-state USB drives (thumb drives) are supported. USB hard drives without a separate power supply are not supported.

Note: A single primary partition formatted FAT32 is recommended for USB or eSATA storage devices.

Composer Pro Driver Information

Use Auto Discovery and SDDP to add the driver to your Composer project. Refer to the Composer Pro User Guide for details.

Troubleshooting

Reset to Factory Settings

Caution! The factory restore process will remove the Composer project. Back up your project with Composer Pro before starting.

1. Insert a straightened paper clip into the FACTORY RESTORE hole on the back of the controller.
2. Press and hold the FACTORY RESTORE button. The controller resets, and the caution LED turns solid red.
3. Hold the button until the Caution LED flashes double orange (approx. 5-7 seconds). The Caution LED flashes orange during the restore. When complete, it turns off, and the device power cycles.

Note: On an EA-5 V2, the ID button also provides feedback similar to the Caution LED.

Power Cycle the Controller

1. Press and hold the ID button for five seconds. The controller turns off and then back on.

Reset the Network Settings

1. Disconnect power to the controller.
2. While pressing and holding the ID button on the back, reconnect power.
3. Hold the ID button until the Caution LED (rear ID LED) appears solid orange and the Link and Power LEDs are solid blue, then release the button.

Note: In OS 2.10.1 and lower, the Caution LED appears solid blue during network reset check. In OS 2.10.2 and higher, it appears orange.

LED Status Information

Data LED: Flashing (Playing audio), Solid (Connected to Director)

Caution LED: Solid red (Just powered on), Blinks blue (Bootloader loaded, Kernel loaded), Flashes orange (Factory restore underway), Solid orange (Network reset check on EA-5 V2)

Link LED: Solid blue (Connected to Director)

Power LED: Solid blue (AC power connected)

Regulatory/Safety Information

Review regulatory information for Control4 products on the Control4 website at ctrl4.co/reg.

Warranty

Visit ctrl4.co/warranty for details.

More Help

For the latest version of this document and additional materials, visit:

• Most Recent Version: ctrl4.co/ea5-ig
• More Info on EA Controllers: ctrl4.co/ea