Integration Note: ELAN g! System with Vantage Lighting
Manufacturer: ELAN Home Systems
Vantage Lighting Models Supported: MC, CW SERIES, KS SERIES, DS SERIES, RDS SERIES, CIS SERIES, STR8W201
Document Revision Date: 2/12/2013
Overview and Supported Features
Installing a Vantage lighting system with a g! system involves several key steps:
- Collaborate with the client to define lighting control requirements, switch placement, and keypad locations, adhering to Vantage guidelines.
- Install and test the Vantage system following standard Vantage procedures. Refer to the "Installation Overview" section for details on wiring Vantage hardware to the g! system.
- Program the Vantage system. Consult the "Vantage Programming Overview" for how the g! system handles Vantage input and output devices.
- Integrate the lighting system into the g! system and verify proper operation. This is detailed in "g! System Programming" and "g! Configuration Details".
Vantage Lighting Systems Support:
Only features explicitly noted as "supported" are functional. Unsupported features will not work.
- Switch Control: Manage individual loads via virtual and simulated keypads.
- Scene Control: Activate scenes using virtual and simulated keypads.
- Schedule Control: Set up to three schedules via the Viewer software, linked to the house mode.
- Relay Control: Operate Vantage relays using custom buttons and the Event Mapper.
- Input Sense: Detect inputs from Vantage input modules and control other devices through the Event Mapper.
- Auto Detection: The g! system automatically detects most switches, keypads, input modules, and output modules. Additional configuration may be necessary, as outlined in the "g! System Programming Overview".
Devices Supported:
| Model Number | Description |
|---|---|
| MC | Master Controller |
| CW Series | C-Box Series |
| KS-Series | Keypad Station Series |
| DS-Series, RDS-Series | ScenePoint Dimmer Series |
| CIS-Series | RadioLink ScenePoint Dimmer Series |
| STR8W201 | Contact Input Station |
| Din Relay Station |
Installation Overview
Integrating a Vantage lighting system with a g! system involves the following steps:
- During the rough-in phase, in addition to the standard Vantage wiring, run a single Cat5 cable from the Master Controller or C-Box to the g! System Enclosure.
- Complete the Vantage installation and conduct testing according to Vantage procedures.
- Terminate and connect the Cat5 cable between the Vantage system and the g! system.
- Configure the g! system.
Connection Diagram
The connection diagram illustrates the integration between the Vantage system and the g! system. It shows a "Master Controller or C-Box" connected via a "Cat5 Cable Assy" to a "g! System Controller" which features an "RS-232 Port". The diagram indicates that the Cat5 cable facilitates this connection and references a separate "Wiring Diagram" for detailed connection specifics.
Bill of Materials
| # | Device | Manufacturer | Part Number | Protocol | Connector Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Master Controller or C-Box | Vantage | MC or CW Series | RS-232 | Terminal Strip | Refer to wiring diagram for details |
| 2 | Cat5 Cable Assy. | Installer | N/A | RS-232 | RJ-45 Male X Wire | |
| 3 | g! System Controller | ELAN | Various (e.g. HC12) | RS-232 | RJ-45 Female |
Wiring Diagram: RS-232 Connection from Vantage to g!
This diagram details the RS-232 connection between the Vantage system (C-Box or Master Controller) and the g! system via a Cat5 cable. The Cat5 cable uses EIA 568 Standard 'B' color coding for its 8 wires (1-White/Orange, 2-Orange, 3-White/Green, 4-Blue, 5-White/Blue, 6-Green, 7-White/Brown, 8-Brown). The RJ45 connector has its clip facing downwards. On the C-Box or Master Controller side, connections are made to TX, RX, GND, and +5V pins using specific wires from the Cat5 cable (e.g., Blue for TX, White/Blue for RX).
Vantage Programming Overview
Key considerations during Vantage system programming:
Device ID
During the Vantage programming process, record the master controller number set in the Q-link software. This number is required later in the g! Configurator.
Input and Output Devices
In addition to lighting loads, the Vantage system can incorporate input and output devices. These devices are automatically discovered by the g! system and appear in the "Input / Output" tab of the configurator. Each input and output must be added and addressed using its specific device ID, as defined in the Vantage Programming Software. The g! system provides access and control to these devices through the Viewer interface. For instance, a DIN Relay Station wired to a driveway gate can be controlled by a button on the Viewer's Home tab.
g! System Programming Overview
The g! Configurator is used to complete the g! system configuration. Note that the Vantage system may not accurately report keypad types; therefore, the type must be manually set in the Configurator to ensure correct button layouts.
| Step | Instructions | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Add a Communication Device for the Vantage Q-Series Network. | Refer to the settings in "g! Configuration Details" below. |
| 2 | Add the Vantage Lighting Interface. | Refer to the settings in "g! Configuration Details" below. |
| 3 | Automatically detect devices. | Click on the lighting interface in the tree structure and then click "Discover Devices". Wait for the system to analyze the Vantage installation. |
| 4 | Get the correct keypad faceplate and name the buttons. | Click the first keypad in the tree structure to view its properties. A "Keypad Interface" should appear. Right-click the keypad under "Keypad Interfaces", choose "Change Template", select the correct faceplate design, and click OK. To name buttons, select a button, click "Edit Text", type the name, and click OK. Repeat for all buttons. |
| 5 | Change the keypad name. | The keypad name appears in the Viewer interface. It can be changed by typing a new name in the "Name" field of the "Keypad Interface" properties window. |
| 6 | Setup the Tablet interfaces. | Configure keypads for tablet display via the "Tab Layout" option under the lighting tab in the configurator. Keypads can be set as "Interface Tabs" or hidden as "Available Tabs". |
| 7 | Set up the Thermostats (optional). | On the "Climate" tab, add an HVAC unit and configure its settings (Heat/Cool/Fan). Add a "Vantage Thermostat", set its Master #, Station #, and HVAC unit. Remove any thermostat keypad previously entered under "Lighting" during auto-detection. |
g! Configuration Details
The following table outlines settings used in the g! Configurator for connecting to a Vantage system. Refer to the Configurator Reference Guide for more details.
Legend:
- "<Select from list>" : Choose from the available options in the Configurator.
- "<User Defined>", etc. : Enter a custom name for the item.
- "<Auto Detect>", etc. : The system will automatically determine this variable.
| Devices | Variable Name | Setting | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Devices | Name | <Auto Detect> (See Note 1) | |
| Type | Serial Port | ||
| Communication Type | Vantage Q-Series Network | ||
| Location | <User Defined> (Not Required) | ||
| COM Port | <Select from list> | COM1, 2, 3 or 4 | |
| Lighting Interface | Name | <User Defined> (Default: Vantage Q-Series Network) | |
| Interface Type | Vantage Q-Series Controller | ||
| Location | <Select from list> (Not Required) | ||
| COM Device | <Select from list> (Default: Vantage Q-Series Network) | ||
| Device ID | <Select from list> | Must match the ID set in the Vantage controller | |
| Lighting Devices | Name | <Auto Detect> | |
| Lighting Interface | <Auto Detect> | ||
| Device Type | <Auto Detect> | ||
| Location | <Select from list> (Not Required) | ||
| Station/Enc/Mod/LD | <Auto Detect> | ||
| Keypads | Name | <User Defined> | |
| Lighting Interface | <Auto Detect> | ||
| Keypad Type | <Select Correct Template from List> | See note 2 | |
| Location | <Select from list> (Not Required) | ||
| <Thermostats> | Name | <User Defined> | |
| Device Type | Vantage Thermostat | Thermostats are configured on the Climate Tab | |
| Location | <Select Correct Template from List> | See note 2 | |
| COM Device | <Select from list> (Default: Vantage Q-Series Network) | Must match the ID#'s set in the Vantage software | |
| Master/Station | <Select from list> | ||
| Heating Unit | <Select from list> | Defaults to 40 | |
| Cooling Unit | <Select from list> | Defaults to 90 | |
| Notes: 1. The Communication Device Name is set to Lighting by default. After selecting the Vantage Q-Series Network, the name changes to Vantage Q-Series Network. 2. Keypad templates must be assigned manually. Refer to "g! System Programming Overview" for details. |
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Common Mistakes
- Failing to plug the Cat5 cable assembly into the correct serial port. Ensure the RJ-45 connector is plugged into the specified port in the Configurator.
- Wiring the Cat5 cable assembly incorrectly. This can be difficult to test but is usually identifiable through visual inspection. Refer to the wiring diagram.
- Setting the incorrect Device ID in the Lighting Interface section. Verify that the Vantage master controller ID matches the Device ID shown in the properties window when selecting the Vantage lighting interface in the system tree.
- Configuring two subsystems with the same serial port.
