Trane Tracer SC+ System Controller with the Tracer Synchrony User Interface

Introduction

The Tracer SC+ is a next-generation building controller featuring a faster processor for increased space for custom graphics, data logs, and applications. It is accompanied by the Tracer Synchrony user interface, which combines performance and function. Key features of Tracer Synchrony include:

• Customization of the login screen with a custom graphic.
• Expansion module management and point referencing.
• USB port management.
• Backup and restore functionality for earlier versions of Tracer SC to Tracer Synchrony.

Copyright: This document and its information are the property of Trane and may not be reproduced without written permission. Trane reserves the right to revise this publication at any time without obligation to notify any person.

Trademarks: All trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners.

Table of Contents

This document provides a detailed overview of the Tracer SC+ system, including:

• Product Overview
• Tracer Building Automation Systems
• Tracer SC+ System Architecture
• BAS R'newal Program
• Tracer Communication Bridges
• Tracer SC+ Facilities
• The User Interface (Alarms, Data Logs, Schedules, Overrides, Reports, Graphical and Bindable Widgets, Graphics and The Tracer Graphics Editor, Navigation Tree, User Security)
• System Control (Area Application, Chiller Plant Control (CPC) Application, Variable Air Systems (VAS) Application, Trane EarthWise Systems, Tracer Graphical Programming (TGP2))
• Unit control (BACnet, Air-Fi Wireless, LonTalk, Trane Legacy Unit Controllers)
• Resources
• Specifications
• Hardware Components (Tracer SC+ system controller components, Trane PM014 power supply module, Tracer BACnet terminator, Medium enclosure, Large enclosure)

Product Overview

The Tracer SC+ streamlines facility management, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution for building automation and climate management, extending to lighting and energy consumption. Its web-enabled Tracer Synchrony user interface is accessible from PCs, tablets, and smartphones, eliminating the need for a dedicated computer. This provides improved efficiencies, increased tenant comfort, and reduced energy costs.

Occupant comfort and energy savings: Tracer SC+ includes factory-engineered HVAC applications tested for peak performance, ensuring consistent comfort and improved indoor air quality while reducing energy requirements. Trane EarthWise™ Systems offer a design philosophy focused on high efficiency and low emissions over the building's lifetime. Tracer Graphical Programming (TGP2) allows customization of factory applications and control of non-HVAC equipment.

Access your facility from anywhere: Tracer Synchrony is accessible from virtually any device with a web browser. The Tracer BAS Operator Suite mobile app allows monitoring and management from anywhere. Trane Connect for Remote Access provides secure remote connectivity.

Support for open, standard protocols: Open protocols enable communication among Trane and non-Trane HVAC equipment and other facility systems. Tracer SC+ natively communicates with BACnet® and LonTalk controllers and is listed as a BACnet Building Controller (B-BC) by BACnet Test Labs (BTL). It also supports Trane Air-Fi™™ Wireless, enabling standard wireless BACnet over Zigbee™™ building automation.

Support for Trane Air-Fi™™ Wireless: This technology offers flexibility for building automation systems, simplifying projects for contractors and providing cost-effective upgrades for building owners. Trane Air-Fi Wireless runs BACnet protocol over ZigBee building automation standards and is Zigbee Certified.

Tracer Building Automation Systems

Trane offers a complete controls portfolio for peak energy and operational efficiency. Trane controls are built on open, scalable platforms, allowing integration with existing equipment and controls, regardless of brand, and enabling easy expansion.

The Tracer SC+ system architecture is at the heart of a Tracer building automation system, providing a web-based front end accessible via PCs, tablets, and smartphones. It features factory-engineered applications for energy efficiency and user comfort, communicating with various Trane and non-Trane controllers using open, standard protocols like BACnet, LonTalk, and Modbus.

A diagram illustrates the high-level system architecture, showing Tracer SC+ connecting to various controllers via BACnet/IP, LonTalk, BACnet MS/TP, BACnet Zigbee, and Modbus (RTU & TCP).

BAS R'newal Program

The BAS R'newal™ program is a Trane building control systems upgrade solution designed to help customers transition to the current Tracer SC+ system. It facilitates upgrading existing Tracer systems and non-Trane systems to the latest technologies, including web-access, mobile access, and advanced features. The program is enabled by Tracer Communication Bridges. More information is available at: www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/us/en/services/upgrade-improve/r_newal_-programs.html.

Tracer Communication Bridges

Tracer Communications Bridges integrate legacy control products into current Tracer systems for monitoring and control. They use legacy communication protocols to access points in previous-generation controllers and convert them to BACnet objects and properties for system use via the BACnet/IP protocol. The Comm2 to BACnet/IP bridge integrates UCP1-controlled chillers into Tracer systems.

Tracer SC+ Facilities

A Tracer SC+ facility is defined as one Application SC+ and one or more associated Base SC+ controllers. A single building or site can contain multiple facilities. Tracer SC+ facilities have specific attributes:

• Limited to one Application SC+.
• Supports one or more Base SC+ controllers.
• Can support a maximum of 240 devices.
• Device support may be limited to 120 devices depending on the communications involved.

A table details device capability for Single SC+ and Multi SC+ configurations across various communication types, including Air-Fi™™ Wireless, BACnet/MSTP, BACnet/IP, COMM 3/4, LonTalk, Modbus TCP, and Modbus RTU.

A diagram illustrates an example of a single SC+ facility configuration, showing connections to Tracer Communication Bridges, BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RTU, WCI, and LON devices.

The User Interface

The Tracer Synchrony user interface provides an intuitive way to set up, operate, and modify a building automation system. The home page displays system status and navigation links. Navigational elements include:

• Global Navigation Bar: Visible on every page, containing user options (logout, preferences, password), Favorites, Home, Alarms shortcut, and Admin access for roles and users.
• Outdoor Conditions: Displays current outdoor temperature and humidity.
• Internal Scroll Bar: Available for pages with long lists or multiple sections.
• Left Navigation Menu: Lists menu items linked to features, applications, and equipment.
• Navigation Tree: A customized view of user-selected elements, allowing grouping, ordering, naming, and custom graphics for nodes.

Alarms: Tracer SC+ allows users to receive, view, acknowledge, and comment on building alarms and events. The Alarms page lists detected alarms, including time, source, description, and acknowledgment status. An alarm icon flashes in the global navigation bar if a critical alarm is active.

Data Logs: Data logging records real-time values of data points. By default, Tracer SC+ generates system-created data logs at 15-minute intervals, storing data for seven days. Users can also create custom data logs. The Data Logs page allows comparison and exporting of logs.

Schedules: Scheduling for Tracer SC+ is based on the BACnet schedule object implementation and is a key energy-saving strategy. It facilitates creating, editing, and deleting schedules, calendars, and exception schedules. The Schedules page has tabs for Active Schedules, All Schedules, All Exceptions, and All Calendars.

Overrides: Tracer SC+ offers methods for overriding equipment, applications, and points, balancing automatic and manual control. Permanent overrides are typically used in applications, while temporary overrides can be set to expire. An 'All Items in Override Report' helps identify points with permanent overrides.

Reports: Various report types can be generated for Trane equipment, including Site reports, VAS commissioning reports, Points reports, and Chiller reports. Report features include scheduling, file storage options, exporting, and editing.

Graphical and Bindable Widgets: These can be incorporated into Tracer SC+ custom pages, providing visual representations of processes (e.g., temperature, water level) or control and display of system states. Examples of graphical and bindable widgets are provided.

Graphics and The Tracer Graphics Editor: The Tracer Graphics Editor (TGE) allows users to create, edit, and publish graphics for Tracer Synchrony. Graphics can monitor and control building equipment, display climate data, and allow setpoint changes. TGE supports alignment, layering, and cut/copy/paste functions. Graphics can include data from external websites, numerical or text values, analog values with color changes, various image formats, visual elements from buildings, digital photography, and animated images. User controls like push buttons and dropdowns are also supported. Graphics can be grouped logically for navigation.

Examples of Tracer Synchrony home pages with building exterior graphics and floor plan graphics are shown. An equipment status graphic is also provided.

The Navigation Tree: This tree logically orders and groups HVAC system elements. It populates automatically and provides an alternative navigation method. Users build the tree by choosing display text for nodes, arranging them, and assigning associated graphics.

User Security: A sophisticated password system protects the Tracer system from unauthorized access. Password strength criteria are editable. Operators are assigned roles that define their access rights, with several predefined roles available and the ability to customize them. Administrators can manage users and roles and reset passwords.

Remote Access to a Tracer BAS: Trane recommends Trane Connect Remote Access for secure IT technology. For systems without internet access, a Trane Cellular Router can be used. Information is available in the Intelligent Services Software Interface User Guide (BAS-SVU22) and the Trane Cellular Router Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Guide (BAS-SVX067).

System Control

Tracer SC+ features a powerful system control engine, including factory-engineered HVAC applications, Trane EarthWise™™ Systems, and a custom graphical programming language.

Area Application: This application coordinates equipment start and stop based on schedules. An Area can represent a single room or a large space, allowing synchronization of setpoints and control of numerous devices. It supports various algorithms and inputs for economizing decisions, including optimal start/stop, humidity pulldown, night purge, unoccupied setpoints, and timed override functions. The Area application also simplifies operations like changing setpoints or creating schedules across multiple members.

Chiller Plant Control (CPC) Application: This application coordinates chillers and provides system chilled water control for optimal efficiency and reliability. It offers features such as providing plant status information, enabling/disabling plants, starting/stopping pumps, calculating chilled water setpoints, rotating chillers, and removing chillers from rotation.

Variable Air Systems (VAS) Application: The VAS coordinates control of air handlers, rooftop units, and variable air volume terminal units. It provides tools for managing tasks such as determining Heat/Cool mode, coordinating AHU and VAV box operation, commissioning VAV boxes, scheduling common spaces, optimizing ventilation, and optimizing duct static pressure.

Trane EarthWise Systems: These systems represent a design philosophy focused on high efficiency and low emissions over the building's lifetime. They include Low Flow, Low Temperature CentraVac™™ Chilled Water Systems, Ice Enhanced, Air-Cooled Chiller Plants, Intelligent Variable Air Systems, and Central Geothermal Systems. More information is available at www.trane.com/commercial/north-america/us/en/products-systems/earthwise-systems.html.

Tracer Graphical Programming (TGP2): TGP2 is a powerful graphical program for customizing Tracer system applications, used for sequencing equipment, calculating setpoints, and performing shutdown sequences. An example of a TGP2 routine is provided.

Unit control

Unit controllers manage associated unitary equipment and built-in safety features. They can operate in stand-alone mode. Tracer SC+ supports various unit controllers, including:

• BACnet (MS/TP) Unit Controllers: Tracer UC210, UC400, UC600, UC800 controllers, BCI interfaces, communicating thermostats, and Trane power and energy meters.
• BACnet/IP Unit Controllers: Tracer UC600 programmable controller and non-Trane BACnet/IP devices.
• Air-Fi Wireless Unit Controllers: Tracer UC210, UC400, UC600 controllers.
• LonTalk Unit Controllers: Tracer AH540/541, MP501, MP503, MP580/581, VV550/551, ZN510/511, ZN517, ZN520/521, ZN523, ZN524, ZN525 controllers, CH530, CH532 controllers, LCI interfaces, Trane power and energy meters, and non-Trane LonTalk devices.

Trane Legacy Unit Controllers (Comm3/4): A maximum of 240 legacy devices can be controlled through multiple Comm3/4 bridges. Supported controllers include Variable Air Volume (VAV), IntelliPak, Voyager, Commercial Self-Contained (CSC), Thermostat Control Module (TCM), Programmable Control Module (PCM), Universal Programmable Control Module (UPCM), Terminal Unit Controller (TUC), Centrifugal Chillers (UCP2), Helical Rotary Chillers (UCP2), CGX Chillers, and Series-R Chillers (RTA/RTW).

Resources

This section lists related Tracer SC+/Synchrony documentation and training resources, including:

• Tracer SC+ System Controller Installation and Setup Guide (BAS-SVX077)
• Tracer SC+ System Controller Installation Sheet (X39641320001)
• Tracer Synchrony online help
• Tracer BAS Operator Suite (Mobile App) Getting Started Guide (BAS-SVU23)
• BACnet MS/TP Wiring Best Practices and Troubleshooting (BAS-SVX51)
• Tracer SC+ Air Systems Application Guide (BAS-APG036)
• Tracer Graphical Programming (TGP2) Applications Guide (BAS-APG008)
• Tracer TU Service Tool Getting Started Guide (TTU-SVN01)

Trane University™: Offers technical courses for HVAC equipment and systems. More information is available at: https://hub.ingersollrand.com/community/communities/trane-university/tcba.

Specifications

This section details specifications for Tracer SC+ system controllers and Tracer building automation systems.

Controller Specifications:

• Web Browsers: Supports various versions of Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Safari on Windows, Mac OS, and iOS.
• Mobile Devices: Supports Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Android and iOS.
• Concurrent Users: Supports up to five concurrent users.
• Supported Languages: Supports up to four languages per Tracer SC+, including English, Chinese, French, French Canadian, Portuguese, German, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, Polish, and Arabic.

Table 3. Controller specifications (continued):

• Power requirements: 24 Vdc @ 0.4A or 24 Vac @ 30 VA (Class 2 power source).
• Operating environment: Temperature range from -40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C) with specific USB current, or -40°C to 50°C (-40°F to 122°F) for other configurations. Relative humidity: 10% to 90% non-condensing.
• Storage environment: Temperature range from -40°F to 158°F (-40°C to 70°C). Relative humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing.
• Agency Listings: CE compliance; EU Declaration of Conformity available.
• Processor: Arm Cortex Dual Core.
• Memory: FLASH 4 GB eMMC, SDRAM 1 GB DDR3.
• Battery: Coin cell preserves regional settings for up to 30 days.
• Protocol Communications: Supports BACnet (ASHRAE/ANSI 2012 standard, UDP/IP network) and LonTalk (EIA-709.1 standard, FTT-10A or FT-X1 transceivers). Also supports Modbus (RTU and TCP).

Table 3. Controller specifications (continued):

• Device Limits: Specifies device limits for Tracer SC+ facilities across various protocols (BACnet, LonTalk, Modbus, Air-Fi Wireless), including specific controller series limits.
• Enclosures: Details specifications for Medium Enclosure (NEMA-1, 14 lb) and Large Enclosure (NEMA-1, 50 lb), including mounting requirements and available configurations (e.g., voltage, outlets, door types).

Hardware Components

This section describes the Tracer SC+ system controller and additional hardware options.

Tracer SC+ Components: A figure and table detail the components of the Tracer SC+ system controller, including communication links (RS-485), IMC terminal block, status LEDs, power button, USB service tool port, Ethernet connections, power adapter port, Vac input/output, Micro SD card slot, Ethernet LEDs, USB 2.0 ports, rotary switches, 7-segment display, and RS-485 communication link LEDs.

Dimensions: Figures illustrate the dimensions of the Tracer SC+ system controller and the PM014 power supply module.

Trane PM014 Power Supply Module: Provides 24 Vdc for Trane inter-module communication (IMC) buses. Refer to the Power Supply Module Installation, Operation, and Troubleshooting Guide (BAS-SVX33).

Tracer BACnet Terminator: Placed at the end of each communication link to decrease signal degradation. Refer to the BACnet Wiring Best Practices and Troubleshooting Guide (BAS-SVX51).

Medium Enclosure (Optional): Available for Tracer DIN-mounted controllers in various voltage and outlet configurations.

Large Enclosure (Optional): Available for Tracer DIN-mounted controllers with different voltage and door configurations.