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 EA-3 V2, 2 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)

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.

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

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-3 Controller.

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

Front View

The front panel features several indicators and an IR window:

• A Data LED: Indicates the controller is streaming audio.
• B IR window: Houses the 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 factory restore.
• D Link LED: A blue LED indicating the controller is identified in a Control4 Composer project and communicating with Director.
• E Power LED: A blue LED indicating AC power is connected. The controller powers on immediately when power is applied.

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 connector for 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) for audio sharing or output.
• G DIGITAL COAX OUT: Outputs audio shared 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: Port for an external USB drive or the optional Dual-Band WiFi USB Adapter (EA-3 V2).
• L Ethernet: Ethernet port that can also function as a network switch for another local Ethernet device.
• M Ethernet/POE: RJ-45 jack for 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet connection, used 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 before starting setup. The controller requires a network connection (Ethernet recommended, or WiFi) for full functionality, including accessing web-based 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 "Mounting the controller behind a TV or on the wall" section for details.
3. Attach antennas to the WIFI and ZIGBEE antenna connectors. For an EA-3 V2, connect the optional WiFi USB Adapter to the USB port if WiFi connectivity is needed.
4. Connect the controller to the network:
   • Ethernet: Plug the data cable from the home network into the controller’s RJ45 port (labeled “ETHERNET/POE”) and the network port on the wall or switch. An additional Ethernet device can connect to the Ethernet Out RJ-45 port. Note: If using PoE+, make all connections before plugging in the PoE injector or switch.
   • WiFi: Connect the controller to Ethernet first, then use Composer Pro System Manager to reconfigure for WiFi. Important: Do not install your EA controller on a 172.18.xxx.xxx subnet.
5. Connect system devices such as IR and serial devices as described in "Connect the IR ports/serial ports" and "Set up IR emitters."
6. Set up any 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 or PoE+ injector for PoE connection.

Mounting the controller behind a TV or on the wall

Using the optional Wall-Mount Bracket (C4-WMEA3), the EA-3 can be mounted behind a TV, on a wall using a 1- or 2-gang wall box, or directly on the wall. See the EA-3 Wall-Mount Bracket Installation Guide (ctrl4.co/ea-wmb) for details.

Pluggable Terminal Block Connectors

The EA-3 uses removable terminal block connectors for contact and relay ports. These connectors secure individual wires.

To connect a device to the terminal block:

1. Insert one of the required wires into the appropriate opening in the pluggable terminal block for that device.
2. Insert the wire into the appropriate terminal connection and use a small, flat-blade screwdriver to tighten the screw and secure the wire.

Example: Connecting a motion sensor

Connect its wires to the following contact openings:

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

Tip: To connect a dry contact closure device (e.g., a doorbell button), connect the wires from the button to +12V (Power) and SIG (Signal).

Connecting the Contact Port

The EA-3 provides one contact port on the included pluggable terminal block (+12, SIG, GRD). Examples of connecting various devices:

Wire the contact to a sensor that also needs power (Motion sensor)

Diagram Description: A motion sensor is connected to the terminal block. The sensor's +12V wire connects to the controller's +12V terminal. The sensor's OV wire connects to the controller's GND terminal. The sensor's COM terminal connects to the controller's SIG terminal. The sensor's NO (Normally Open) terminal is not connected.

Wire the contact to a dry contact sensor (Door contact sensor)

Diagram Description: A door contact sensor is connected to the terminal block. The sensor's COM terminal connects to the controller's +12V terminal. The sensor's NC (Normally Closed) terminal is not connected. The sensor's NO terminal connects to the controller's SIG terminal. The controller's GND terminal is not connected.

Wire the contact to an externally powered sensor (Driveway sensor)

Diagram Description: A driveway sensor, which receives external 12V power, is connected to the terminal block. The sensor's +12V input connects to the controller's +12V terminal. The sensor's signal output connects to the controller's SIG terminal. The sensor's ground connects to the controller's GND terminal.

Connecting the Relay Port

The EA-3 provides one relay port on the included pluggable terminal block. Examples of connecting various devices:

Wire the relay to a single-relay device, normally open (Fireplace)

Diagram Description: A fireplace device is connected to the relay port. The fireplace's input connects to the controller's COM terminal. The fireplace's output connects to the controller's NO (Normally Open) terminal. The NC terminal is not used.

Wire the relay to a dual-relay device (Blinds)

Diagram Description: A dual-relay blind device is connected to the relay port. The device has UP and DOWN controls. The controller's COM terminal connects to the blind's COM terminal. The controller's NO terminal connects to the blind's UP terminal. The controller's NC terminal connects to the blind's DOWN terminal.

Wire the relay with power from the contact, normally closed (Amplifier trigger)

Diagram Description: An amplifier trigger device is connected to the relay port, utilizing power from the contact port. The amplifier's input connects to the controller's COM terminal. The amplifier's output connects to the controller's NC (Normally Closed) terminal. The NO terminal is not used. The +12V terminal from the contact port is connected to the amplifier trigger for power.

Connecting the IR Ports/Serial Ports (Optional)

The controller offers six IR ports. Ports 1, 2, and 3 can be independently reconfigured for serial communication or used for IR. Connect a serial device using the Control4 3.5 mm-to-DB9 Serial Cable (C4-CBL3.5-DB9B, sold separately).

• Serial ports support baud rates from 1200 to 115200 with odd/even parity. Hardware flow control is not supported.
• Refer to Knowledgebase article #268 (https://dealer.control4.com/dealer/knowledgebase/article/268) for pinout diagrams.
• Configure ports for serial or IR in your Composer Pro project. Consult the Composer Pro User Guide for details.

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

Setting up IR Emitters

For third-party products controlled via IR commands:

1. Connect one of the included IR emitters to an IR OUT port on the controller.
2. Place the emitter end onto the IR receiver of the target device (e.g., Blu-ray player, TV) to direct IR signals.

Setting up External Storage Devices (Optional)

Store and access media from external storage devices (e.g., network hard drive, USB memory device) by connecting the USB drive to the USB port and configuring it in Composer Pro.

Note: Only externally powered USB drives or solid-state USB sticks are supported. Self-powered USB drives are not supported.

Note: When using USB storage devices on an EA-3 controller, only one partition is supported, with a maximum size of 2 TB. This limitation applies to other Control4 controllers as well.

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 detailed instructions.

Troubleshooting

Reset to Factory Settings

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

To restore the controller to its factory default image:

1. Insert a straightened paper clip into the small hole labeled FACTORY RESTORE on the back of the controller.
2. Press and hold the FACTORY RESTORE button. The controller will reset, and the Caution LED will turn solid red.
3. Continue holding the button until the Caution LED flashes double orange (approximately five to seven seconds). The Caution LED flashes orange during the restore process. Upon completion, the Caution LED turns off, and the device power cycles to finalize the restore.

Note: On an EA-3 V2 controller, the ID button also functions as an LED, providing the same feedback as the front 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 the Network Settings

To reset the controller's network settings to default:

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

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

LED Status Information

Regulatory/Safety Information

For regulatory information specific to your Control4 products, visit 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, open the URL below or scan the QR code on a device that can view PDFs.

Most Recent Version: ctrl4.co/ea3-ig

More Info on EA Controllers: ctrl4.co/ea

[Note: QR codes were present in the original document linking to the above URLs.]