Control4 EA-3 Controller Installation Guide

Supported Models

• C4-EA3 (Entertainment and Automation Controller, 3 Zone)
• C4-EA3-V2 (Entertainment and Automation Controller, 3 Zone, V2)

Box Contents

• EA-3 controller
• AC power cord
• IR emitters (6)
• External antennas (1 for EA-3 V2, 2 for EA-3 V1)
• Terminal block for contacts and relays

Accessories Sold Separately

• Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B)
• 1U Rack-Mount Kit, Single EA-3 Controller (C4-EA3RMK1-BL)
• 1U Rack-Mount Kit, Dual EA-3 Controllers (C4-EA3RMK2-BL)
• EA-3 Wall-Mount Bracket (C4-WMEA3)
• Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter (C4-USBWIFI or C4-USBWIFI-1)

Requirements and Specifications

Note: Ethernet is recommended over WiFi for the best network connectivity.

Note: The Ethernet or WiFi network must be installed before installing the EA-3 Controller.

Note: EA-3 V2 requires OS 2.10.2 or higher. EA-3 V1 requires OS 2.8.1 or higher.

Composer Pro is required for configuration. Refer to the Composer Pro User Guide (ctrl4.co/cpro-ug) for details.

Specifications

Front View

The front panel features several indicators and ports:

• Data LED: Indicates when the controller is streaming audio.
• IR Window: Houses the IR blaster and IR receiver for learning IR codes.
• Caution LED: Shows solid red during boot, then blinks blue. Flashes orange during factory restore.
• Link LED: Blue LED indicating the controller is identified in Composer and communicating with Director.
• Power LED: Blue LED indicating AC power is connected.

Back View

The back panel provides various connection ports:

• A. WIFI: Reverse SMA connector for WiFi antenna (EA-3 V1 only).
• B. Power Plug Port: AC power receptacle for an IEC 60320-C5 power cord.
• C. Contact/Relay Port: Terminal block for connecting one relay device and one contact sensor. Relay connections: COM, NC (normally closed), NO (normally open). Contact sensor connections: +12, SIG (signal), GND (ground).
• D. Serial and IR OUT: 3.5 mm jacks for up to six IR emitters or a combination of IR emitters and serial devices. Ports 1, 2, and 3 can be configured for serial or IR control.
• E. DIGITAL COAX IN: Allows audio sharing over the local network to other Control4 devices.
• F. AUDIO IN and OUT: Stereo audio input and output ports (3.5 mm stereo audio jack). Allows audio sharing (AUDIO IN) and outputs shared audio (AUDIO OUT).
• G. DIGITAL COAX OUT: Outputs shared audio from other Control4 devices or digital audio sources.
• H. HDMI OUT: HDMI port for displaying navigation menus and audio output.
• I. ID Button: Button to identify the device in Composer Pro. On EA-3 V2, it also functions as an LED for feedback during factory restore.
• J. FACTORY RESTORE: Button to restore the controller to factory defaults.
• K. USB: One port for an external USB drive or the optional Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter (EA-3 V2).
• L. Ethernet: Ethernet port usable as a network switch for another local Ethernet device.
• M. Ethernet/POE: RJ-45 jack for 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet connection. Use as the 'uplink port'. Required for PoE+ power.
• N. ZIGBEE: Reverse SMA connector for ZigBee antenna.

Installing the Controller

1. Ensure the home network is in place. The controller requires a network connection (Ethernet recommended or WiFi) for full functionality, accessing media databases, communicating with IP devices, and receiving updates.
2. Mount the controller: behind a TV, on a wall, in a rack, or on a shelf. Refer to the EA-3 Wall-Mount Bracket Installation Guide (ctrl4.co/ea-wmb) for wall mounting details.
3. Attach antennas to the WIFI and ZIGBEE connectors. For EA-3 V2, connect the optional WiFi USB Adapter to the USB port if WiFi is needed.
4. Connect the controller to the network:
   • Ethernet: Plug a data cable from the home network into the controller's RJ-45 port (labeled "ETHERNET/POE") and the network port. An additional Ethernet device can connect to the Ethernet Out port. Note: If using PoE+, make all connections before powering the PoE injector/switch.
   • WiFi: Connect via Ethernet first, then reconfigure for WiFi using Composer Pro System Manager.

   Important: Do not install your EA controller on a 172.18.xxx.xxx subnet.

5. Connect system devices like IR and serial devices as described in "Connect the IR ports/serial ports" and "Set up IR emitters."
6. Set up external storage devices as described in "Setting up external storage devices."
7. Connect the power cord to the controller's power port and then to an electrical outlet, or power on the PoE+-enabled network switch/injector if using PoE+.

Connecting the Contact Port

The EA-3 has one contact port on a pluggable terminal block (+12, SIG, GRD). Examples for connecting devices:

• Sensor needing power (e.g., Motion Sensor): Connect wires to +12V, SIG, and GND on the terminal block.
• Dry contact sensor (e.g., Door Contact Sensor): Connect wires to SIG and GND.
• Externally powered sensor (e.g., Driveway Sensor): Connect the sensor's power to the +12V terminal, signal to SIG, and ground to GND.

Connecting the Relay Port

The EA-3 has one relay port on a pluggable terminal block. Examples for connecting devices:

• Single-relay device, normally open (e.g., Fireplace): Connect the device's control wires to the COM and NO (Normally Open) terminals.
• Dual-relay device (e.g., Blinds): Use two relay ports if available, connecting to COM and NO/NC for each function (e.g., UP/DOWN).
• Device with power from contact, normally closed (e.g., Amplifier trigger): Connect the device's trigger input to the COM terminal and the trigger output (which may provide power) to the NC (Normally Closed) terminal.

Connecting IR Ports/Serial Ports (Optional)

The controller offers six IR ports. Ports 1, 2, and 3 can be configured for serial communication or IR. Use the Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B) for serial devices.

• Serial ports support baud rates from 1200 to 115200 (odd/even parity) but do not support hardware flow control.
• Refer to Knowledgebase article #268 (https://dealer.control4.com/dealer/knowledgebase/article/268) for pinout diagrams.
• Configure ports for serial or IR in Composer Pro. Serial ports default to straight-through but can be set to null-modem via Composer Pro.

Setting Up IR Emitters

For third-party products controlled via IR:

1. Connect an included IR emitter to an IR OUT port on the controller.
2. Position the emitter end onto the IR receiver of the target device (TV, Blu-ray player, etc.).

Setting Up External Storage Devices (Optional)

Connect a USB drive to the USB port to store and access media. Configure or scan media in Composer Pro.

• Note: Only externally powered USB drives or solid-state USB sticks are supported.
• Note: Only one partition with a maximum size of 2 TB is supported for USB storage devices on EA-3 controllers.

Composer Pro Driver Information

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

Troubleshooting

Reset to Factory Settings

Caution: Factory restore removes the Composer project. Back up your project first.

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. Continue holding until the Caution LED flashes double orange (approx. 5-7 seconds). The LED flashes orange during the restore process. It turns off, and the device power cycles upon completion.
4. Note: On EA-3 V2, the ID button serves the same LED feedback function as the Caution LED.

Power Cycle the Controller

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

Reset Network Settings

To reset network settings to default:

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) is solid orange and the Link and Power LEDs are solid blue, then release.
4. Note: In OS 2.10.1 and lower, the Caution LED appears solid blue during network reset. In OS 2.10.2 and higher, it appears orange.

LED Status Information

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 case of over-current on USB or contact output, the software disables the output. If an attached USB device or contact sensor does not power on, remove it from the controller.

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

Caution: If this product is used to open/close garage doors, gates, or similar devices, use safety sensors and follow all applicable regulatory and safety standards. Failure to do so may result in property damage or personal injury.

Additional Resources

• Control4 Knowledgebase: kb.control4.com
• Dealer Forums: forums.control4.com
• Control4 Technical Support
• Control4 Website: www.control4.com
• Composer Pro Documentation: Available on the Dealer Portal under Support (ctrl4.co/docs)

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: ctrl4.co/ea3-ig
• More information on EA Controllers: ctrl4.co/ea