This manual will guide you through the setup and use of all Reactor Series relay controllers. Following this manual in the sequence outlined is absolutely essential to proper understanding and use of
Reactor Series Controllers. Please review the entire manual BEFORE contacting NCD technical support.
NCD technical support staff will direct your questions to this manual when applicable.
P
age
4 Q
u
ick
S
tar
t G
u
ide:
A
D
8
Re
la
y
A
c
tiv
ato
r
Base Station Software
Download and install
Software to communicate with your controller. After connecting the controller to
your computer, open and run Base Station software and select the correct port or IP Address for your controller. You will
see the dialog box shown in the screen shot below. Select ‘
AD8 Relay Activator / Event Generator
’ as selected below.
When Base Station Software runs on your Windows computer, the software will identify the type of controller and will
build a list of command sets that are compatible with your controller. There are 6 basic parts to the main Base software
application:
1.
Device Configuration
: This button allows you to modify important device settings to help improve communication speed, func-
tionality, and timing parameters of the device. Device Configuration is rarely used by the user
2.
Device Identification and Documentation
: This button displays Read-Only information stored in the controller. It can help you
identify the type of device that is connected and what its capabilities are. This portion of the software also builds a library of docu-
ments that will be helpful in using the controller it has identified. This library of documents will change depending on the type of
device which has been identified.
3.
COMM Operator
: COMM Operator is a tool for testing and learning how to communicate with all Network and COM based devic-
es. This manual may include command codes you can send to the device using COMM Operator. COMM Operator should be
thought of as a terminal to send and receive bytes of data. COMM Operator was used extensively in the development of this de-
vice and should be referenced throughout the learning process. COMM Operator is a commercial product and is NOT Free. The
30-Day Evaluation version is provided and users may purchase a license for this software if they would like to continue use be-
yond 30 days.
4.
Display Command Set
: When working with Base software, many windows will display the actual command codes used to trig-
ger a particular function. This option allows you to choose Decimal and Hex formats. This manual is shown in both Hex and Dec-
imal format. Decimal is typically used in COMM Operator and is our preferred format, but Hex works great too.
5.
Run Mode
: Run mode is used for daily operations and is the default mode of operation. To prevent accidental writes to non-
volatile memory, the device must be placed in Configuration Mode to change EEPROM memory. Click this button anytime you
need to change modes. Note that a jumper on the controller will force this device into Configuration mode. If a device is powered
up in Configuration Mode and you are using a Web-i interface, the
Web-i will boot in DHCP mode as a safeguard in case the device becomes inaccessible with a static IP address.
6.
Command Sets
: Each Device contains a set of commands that are identified by the Base Station software. Choose the com-
mand set you would like to explore in this box. Click one time on the command set you would like to explore.
Base Station
4
1
2
3
5
6
