ISMACONTROLLI SfAR-S-6RO

1 Introduction

Thank you for choosing our product. This manual will help you with proper handling and operating of the device. The information included in this manual have been prepared with utmost care by our professionals and serve as a description of the product without incurring any liability for the purposes of commercial law. This information does not discharge you from the liability of your own judgement and verification.

We reserve the right to change product specifications without notice. Please read the instructions carefully and follow the recommendations concluded therein.

WARNING! Failure to follow instructions can result in equipment damage or impede the use of the hardware or software.

1.1 Revision History

2 Safety Rules

• Improper wiring of the product can damage it and lead to other hazards. Make sure that the product has been correctly wired before turning the power on.
• Before wiring or removing/mounting the product, make sure to turn the power off. Failure to do so might cause an electric shock.
• Do not touch electrically charged parts such as power terminals. Doing so might cause an electric shock.
• Do not disassemble the product. Doing so might cause an electric shock or faulty operation.
• Use the product only within the operating ranges recommended in the specification (temperature, humidity, voltage, shock, mounting direction, atmosphere, etc.). Failure to do so might cause a fire or faulty operation.
• Firmly tighten the wires to the terminal. Failure to do so might cause a fire.
• Avoid installing the product in close proximity to high-power electrical devices and cables, inductive loads, and switching devices. Proximity of such objects may cause an uncontrolled interference, resulting in an instable operation of the product.
• Proper arrangement of the power and signal cabling affects the operation of the entire control system. Avoid laying the power and signal wiring in parallel cable trays. It can cause interferences in monitored and control signals.
• It is recommended to power controllers/modules with AC/DC power suppliers. They provide better and more stable insulation for devices compared to AC/AC transformer systems, which transmit disturbances and transient phenomena like surges and bursts to devices. They also isolate products from inductive phenomena from other transformers and loads.
• Power supply systems for the product should be protected by external devices limiting overvoltage and effects of lightning discharges.
• Avoid powering the product and its controlled/monitored devices, especially high power and inductive loads, from a single power source. Powering devices from a single power source causes a risk of introducing disturbances from the loads to the control devices.
• If an AC/AC transformer is used to supply control devices, it is strongly recommended to use a maximum 100 VA Class 2 transformer to avoid unwanted inductive effects, which are dangerous for devices.
• Long monitoring and control lines may cause loops in connection with the shared power supply, causing disturbances in the operation of devices, including external communication. It is recommended to use galvanic separators.
• To protect signal and communication lines against external electromagnetic interferences, use properly grounded shielded cables and ferrite beads.
• Switching the digital output relays of large (exceeding specification) inductive loads can cause interference pulses to the electronics installed inside the product. Therefore, it is recommended to use external relays/contactors, etc. to switch such loads. The use of controllers with triac outputs also limits similar overvoltage phenomena.
• Many cases of disturbances and overvoltage in control systems are generated by switched, inductive loads supplied by alternating mains voltage (AC 120/230 V). If they do not have appropriate built-in noise reduction circuits, it is recommended to use external circuits such as snubbers, varistors, or protection diodes to limit these effects.

3 Module Features

3.1 Purpose and Description of the Module

The SfAR-S-6RO module is an innovative device that provides a simple and cost effective extension of the number of lines of output with high current-carrying capacity.

The module has 6 relay outputs. Each relay has three terminals: common (COM), normally open (NO), or normally closed (NC), which makes the unit very flexible.

This module is connected to the RS485 bus with a twisted-pair wire. Communication is via Modbus RTU or Modbus ASCII. The use of 32-bit ARM core processor provides fast processing and quick communication. The baud rate is configurable from 2400 to 115200.

The module is designed for mounting on a DIN rail in accordance with DIN EN 5002. The module is equipped with a set of LEDs to indicate the status of inputs and outputs, power supply, and communication, which is useful for diagnostic purposes and helping to find errors.

Module configuration is done via USB by using a dedicated computer program. It also allows for changing the parameters using the Modbus protocol or setting the Modbus address using the DIP switches under the front panel.

3.2 Technical Specification

3.3 Dimensions

A diagram shows the physical appearance and dimensions of the module. The module is designed for mounting on a DIN rail according to industry standards. Power connectors, communication ports, and I/Os are located on the bottom and top of the module. The USB connector for configuration and status indicators are on the front panel.

Key dimensions:

• Height: 119.1 mm (4.689 in)
• Length: 110.9 mm (4.366 in)
• Width: 22.7 mm (0.894 in)

Interface: RS485, supporting up to 128 devices.

4 Communication

4.1 Grounding and Shielding

When I/O modules are installed in enclosures with other devices that generate electromagnetic radiation (e.g., relays, contactors, transformers, motor controllers), electrical noise can be induced into power and signal lines. To ensure proper system functioning, interferences should be suppressed at their source. Appropriate grounding, shielding, and protective steps are recommended at the installation stage. Follow these rules:

• Route line power cables with spatial separation from signal and data transmission cables.
• Separate analog and digital signal cables.
• Use shielded cables for analog signals, ensuring cable shields are not interrupted by intermediate terminals.
• Earth the shielding directly after the cable enters the cabinet.

For switching inductive loads (e.g., coils of contactors, relays, solenoid valves), install interference suppressors like RC snubbers or varistors for AC voltage, and freewheeling diodes for DC voltage loads. Connect these suppressing elements as close to the coil as possible.

4.2 Network Termination

Transmission line effects, such as reflections and signal attenuation, are common issues in data communication networks. To eliminate reflections at the cable ends, terminate both ends of the cable with a resistor matching its characteristic impedance. For RS485 twisted pair cables, this termination is typically 120 Ω.

4.3 Setting Module Address in RS485 Modbus Network

The module address can be set using DIP switches for addresses 0 to 31. Addresses from 32 to 255 can be configured via RS485 or USB using dedicated software.

4.4 Types of Modbus Functions

There are 4 types of Modbus functions supported by the SfAR modules:

4.5 Communication Settings

The data stored in the module's memory is given in the 16-bit registers. Access to registers is via Modbus RTU or Modbus ASCII.

4.5.1 Default Settings

The default configuration can be restored with the DIP switch SW6.

4.6 Restore Default Configuration

To restore the default configuration, follow these steps:

1. Turn the power off.
2. Turn the DIP switch SW6 on.
3. Turn the power on.
4. When the power and communication LEDs are lit, turn the switch SW6 off.

WARNING! After restoring the default configuration, all values stored in the registers will be cleared.

4.7 Configuration Registers

4.8 Watchdog

This 16-bit register specifies the time in milliseconds for a watchdog reset. If the module does not receive any valid message within this time, all digital and analog outputs will be set to their default state. This feature is useful for interruptions in data transmission and for security reasons, ensuring output states are appropriate to maintain safety of persons or property. The default value is 0 milliseconds, disabling the watchdog function.

5 Indicators

The module features several LEDs for status indication. A diagram shows the layout of these indicators:

• State of relay outputs 1-6: Six LEDs indicating the status of each relay output.
• 1-5 Setting the device address: LEDs related to DIP switch settings for address configuration.
• 6 Restoring default settings: LED related to the DIP switch for restoring default settings.
• Power status: A green LED indicating the power status.
• RS485 communication: An LED indicating communication activity on the RS485 bus.
• Mini USB: Port for configuration.

The table below describes the indicators:

6 Connections

6.1 Block Diagram

A block diagram illustrates the internal components and connections of the module. It shows the power supply (PSU), microcontroller (µC), RS485 interface, and the six relay outputs (NO, NC, CO terminals for each).

6.2 Power Supply Connection

6.2.1 DC Power Connection

A diagram shows the DC power connection. The module accepts a voltage range of 10-38 V DC. Connections are made to GND and VCC terminals, typically using a 24 V DC source.

6.2.2 AC Power Connection

A diagram illustrates the AC power connection. The module accepts a voltage range of 10-28 V AC. Connections are made to GND and VCC terminals, typically using a 24 V AC source, often derived from a transformer.

6.2.3 Communication Bus Connection

A diagram shows the RS485 Modbus communication bus connection. It depicts a shielded twisted-pair cable connected to RS485+ and RS485- terminals, with the shield connected to GND.

6.3 Connection of Relay Outputs

6.3.1 Connection of Resistive Load

A diagram illustrates the connection of a resistive load to the relay outputs. The diagram shows terminals for Normally Closed (NC), Common (CO), and Normally Open (NO) for relays 1, 2, and 3. A resistive load, such as a lamp, is shown connected between the common terminal and the AC power line (L/N), with the relay's NO and CO terminals completing the circuit.

6.3.2 Connection of Electrovalve

A diagram shows the connection of an electrovalve (solenoid valve) to the relay outputs. The diagram shows terminals for NC, CO, and NO for relays 1, 2, and 3. The electrovalve is connected in series with a DC power supply (e.g., 24 V DC) and the relay's output terminals (CO and NO). A protection diode is shown across the electrovalve to suppress voltage spikes.

6.4 Quick Connector

The Quick Connector is a feature allowing for the rapid connection of multiple devices within the SfAR-S family using a flat ribbon cable. This simplifies power and RS485 communication setup, as connecting one device in a chain powers and communicates with the others. The Quick Connector supports connecting up to 10 devices consecutively.

A diagram illustrates this setup, showing multiple modules connected side-by-side via ribbon cables, with power and RS485 connections made to the first module.

7 DIP Switch

The module features a DIP switch for configuration. A diagram shows the six switches labeled 1 through 6.

8 Module Registers

8.1 Registered Access

This section details the module's registers accessible via Modbus, including their addresses, names, access types, and descriptions.

8.2 Bit Access

This section details registers accessible via bit-level operations.

9 Configuration Software

The SfAR Configurator is a software application designed for setting communication module registers over a Modbus network, as well as reading and writing current values of other module registers. It provides a convenient method for testing the system and observing real-time changes in registers.

Communication with the module is established via a USB cable; the module does not require any drivers.

A diagram shows a PC connected to the SfAR-S-6RO Modbus Module via a USB cable.

The SfAR Configurator is a universal software capable of configuring all available modules in the SfAR-S family.

A screenshot of the SfAR Configurator software interface is displayed, showing options for module configuration, transmission settings, information, and output settings, including checkboxes for output states and watchdog functionality.