Technical information

Subnet communications allow one controller to
operate up to 168 remotely operated branch circuits.
Automation networks provide remote access to the lighting control
system over an RS-485 network. An RS-485 network consists of low
cost, 2-wire, Class 2communications cable, Belden 9841 or equivalent.
POWERLINK
®
LIGHTING CONTROL
+
TECHNICAL SECTION
Three levels of communications are provided that can be easily tailored to individual application requirements.
Subnet Communications
• Each Schneider Electric Powerlink
®
G3 Controller can directly operate up to eight control buses.
• Controller signals the control buses to switch the associated branch circuits and polls each Schneider Electric Powerlink G3 Circuit Breaker to
determine its actual status.
• Communications between the controller and the control buses are made with a 4-wire, Class 1 communications cable (Belden 27326 or
equivalent).
• Slave panels (those containing control buses and remotely operated circuit breakers, but no controller) may be mounted up to 400 feet away
from the master panel that contains the controller.
Automation Network
• Each controller provides both RS-485 and RS-232 serial ports. Provides access up to 247 controllers using an RS-485 multi-drop conguration.
• An automation level network can also be used to communicate with other building systems such as energy management systems and card
access controllers. The automation network uses widely accepted and supported industrial-proven protocols used by many building automation
manufacturers and systems integrators
- Modbus
®
ASCII/RTU open protocol in all Schneider Electric Powerlink G3 Controllers
- DMX512 protocol in automation level network for theatrical lighting applications in 1000, 2000, and 3000 level controllers
- Optional JCI-N2 protocol for 1000 level controllers
- Optional C-Bus™ Network capability with NF3000G3C controller and device router
- BACnet MS/TP open protocol in 2000 and 3000 level controllers
System Architecture
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