Control4 Controller Selection Guide

Control4® Controller Selection Guide

Comparing Core Controllers (CORE) and Automation Controllers (CA)

CA-1 Automation Controller

Image Description: A compact, desktop-style Control4 CA-1 controller with a green status light. The back panel shows ports for DC power, Ethernet, Serial (RJ-45), and a Reset button.

  • Capacity: Up to 20 devices ?
  • Power Options:
    • AC Power ⚡?
    • PoE (Power over Ethernet) ⚡?
  • Connectivity:
    • Ethernet ?
    • Built-in Wi-Fi ?
  • Mesh Network: Ideal Mesh controller with PoE support ? [Z-shape]
  • Interfaces:
    • Serial control x 1 (RJ-45) ?
    • Built-in Z-Wave slot (requires module) ?️ [Z-Wave Plus]

CORE-1 Controller

Image Description: A black, rack-mountable Control4 CORE-1 controller. The back panel displays various ports including power input, Ethernet, Zigbee, Serial, USB, Digital Audio, Coax In/Out, and Z-Wave.

  • Capacity: Up to 3 rooms ?, Up to 30 devices ?
  • Power Options:
    • AC Power ⚡?
    • PoE (Power over Ethernet) ⚡?
  • Connectivity:
    • Ethernet ?
    • +1 port switch ? [switch]
    • Wi-Fi w/ adapter ?
  • Mesh Network: Mesh controller ? [Z-shape]
  • Interfaces:
    • On-screen interface (ideal for behind TV) ?️
    • Serial control x 2 ?
    • Audio streams x 2 ?☁️
    • IR control x 4 ?
    • Contacts and relays x 1 ⚡

CORE-3 Controller

Image Description: A black, rack-mountable Control4 CORE-3 controller. The back panel features extensive connectivity options including power, Ethernet, Zigbee, USB, Digital Audio, Analog Audio, Serial, IR/Serial, Relay, and Contact ports.

  • Capacity: Up to 6 rooms ?, Up to 60 devices ?
  • Power Options:
    • AC Power ⚡?
    • PoE (Power over Ethernet) ⚡?
  • Connectivity:
    • Ethernet ?
    • +1 port switch ? [switch]
    • Wi-Fi w/ adapter ?
  • Mesh Network: Mesh controller ? [Z-shape]
  • Interfaces:
    • On-screen interface ?️
    • Serial control x 3 ?
    • Audio streams x 3 ?☁️
    • IR control x 6 ?
    • Contacts and relays x 1 ⚡

CORE-5 Controller

Image Description: A black, rack-mountable Control4 CORE-5 controller. The back panel shows a comprehensive array of ports including power, Ethernet, Zigbee, USB, Digital Audio, Analog Audio, Serial, IR/Serial, Relay, and Contact ports.

  • Capacity: 6+ rooms ?, Up to 200 devices ?
  • Power Options:
    • AC Power ⚡?
    • PoE (Power over Ethernet) ⚡?
  • Connectivity:
    • Ethernet ?
    • +1 port switch ? [switch]
    • Wi-Fi w/ adapter ?
  • Mesh Network: Mesh controller ? [Z-shape]
  • Interfaces:
    • On-screen interface ?️
    • Serial control x 4 ?
    • Audio streams x 7 ?☁️
    • IR control x 8 ?
    • Contacts and relays x 4 ⚡
  • Hardware Features:
    • Redundant cooling fans ❄️ [fan] ↔️ ❄️ [fan]
    • Redundant SSD drives ? [SSD] ↔️ ? [SSD]

CA-10 Automation Controller

Image Description: A large, black, rack-mountable Control4 CA-10 controller. The back panel features extensive connectivity, including redundant power inputs, multiple Ethernet ports, USB, and other standard control interfaces.

  • Capacity: Up to 200+ devices ?
  • Most powerful controller.
  • Power Options:
    • Redundant AC power supplies ⚡? ↔️ ⚡?
  • Connectivity:
    • Redundant Ethernet ports ? ↔️ ?
  • Built-in Z-Wave* ?️ [Z-Wave Plus]

*Z-Wave functionality enabled later in 2022.

Models: CA-1, CORE-1, CORE-3, CORE-5, CA-10, CA-1 Core and Automation Controllers, Core and Automation Controllers, Automation Controllers

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