IMAC2B009 V2
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Ampcontrol Pty Ltd
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iMAC System User Manual
iMAC2B009 V4
– 10/18
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Relay Outputs
The Controller has two relay outputs: the Control Relay (CR) and the Auxiliary Relay (AR). These relays
have one normally open 10A, 240VAC contact. The CR relay
is conditioned with “Signal Line Healthy” and
this cannot be overridden or disabled. With this exception, the CR relay can additionally be programmed
using application (SLP) software to operate under any combination of the inputs and outputs in the iMAC
System. The AR relay is also able to be programmed to operate under any combination of inputs and
outputs
. The AR relay is not conditioned with “Signal Line Healthy”.
Serial Communications Port
The serial communications port provides a host link to optional devices, such as a PLC, allowing transfer of
information between systems. It is also used for downloading Controller application (SLP) software.
The serial communication port can be configured as RS232, RS422 or RS485 and supports a number of
protocols. The supported protocols are briefly described in the following subsections. For detailed instruction
on the use of the iMAC2
Controller’s communication port, refer to the IMACB153 iMAC Controller Serial
Communications Manual.
6.4.1 Slave Modbus RTU Protocol (Recommended)
The iMAC2 Controller acts as a Modbus slave device, the slave address is selectable via the Serial
Communications section of the iMAC2
Controller’s System Menu. The Controller supports a number of
standard Modbus commands and data is accessed via the Controller’s Data Point Table.
6.4.2 Ampcontrol IP Protocol
The Ampcontrol IP Protocol reads data from the General Buffer area
of the Controller’s Data Point Table.
The application software of the iMAC2 Controller must move data into these registers in a specific format to
allow transfer of information between systems. Refer to the IMACB153 iMAC Controller Serial
Communications Manual for more details.
The Ampcontrol IP protocol is a single-drop (single point-to-point) protocol.
6.4.3 Ampcontrol IP2 Protocol
Like the Ampcontrol IP protocol, the Ampcontrol IP2 protocol reads data from the General Buffer area of
the Controller’s Data Point Table. The difference between the two protocols is that the IP2 protocol is a
multi-drop protocol, whereby one master host device can read and write up to 15 slave Controllers.
The Ampcontrol IP protocols maintain compatibility with legacy DNET IP, IP2 & SLIP systems and are
intended for backwards compatibility only. Modbus Slave Protocol is recommended for new systems.
6.4.4 L1 Maintenance Protocol
This allows capture and processing of the L1 Maintenance data which is streamed out the iMAC2 Controller
serial port in real-time, providing bit level diagnostic of the L1 communications. This protocol is typically only
used by qualified Ampcontrol personnel.
6.4.5 Master Modbus RTU Protocol
Limited support is provided for existing legacy installations only. Modbus Slave Protocol is recommended for
new systems.
