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IM 689-2
3. Set of hand-held radios or other two-way personal communications equipment
For large networks, it is best if two people work together during the network commissioning
process. A set of radios makes this task much easier and more efficient.
Note:
We strongly recommend using a PC that has an Ethernet adapter to commission a BACdrop
network. This allows the technician to prove and demonstrate network communications through the
same port that the third-party BAS will use. We also recognize that many older laptop PCs do not
have a PCMCIA port so that an Ethernet adapter cannot be installed. If your PC is not capable of
Ethernet communications, the MicroTech network can be commissioned using an RS-232 to RS-485
converter instead (see above). The disadvantage of this approach is that communications through the
BACdrop gateway cannot be proved because the gateway is bypassed.
About the Network Address
For MicroTech network communications to occur, each controller in the network must have a unique
network address. The network address has two parts: L2 address and L3 address. Each part is a two-
digit hexadecimal number. For example, a unit at address “01.0F” has an L2 address of 01 and an L3
address of 0F (decimal 15). The first digit in each part is called the HI digit, and the second digit is
called the LO digit. Thus for the L3 address 0F, the HI digit is “0” and the LO digit is “F.” Table 4 is
a hexadecimal to decimal conversion guide.
Figure 6. MicroTech Network Address
01.0F
L2 HI digit
L2 LO digit
L3 HI digit
L3 LO digit
With the exception of the BACdrop gateway (see below), a MicroTech controller’s address is
determined by its hex switch setting and its level in the network. Table 3 shows how the network
address is defined. Figure 7 shows the HI and LO hex switches.
Table 3. MicroTech Network Address Definition
When the controller is
The L2 address is
The L3 address is
Level 1
Always 00
Always 00
Level 2
The hex switch setting
Always 00
Level 3
Read from its level-2 master at power-up
The hex switch setting
Figure 7. MicroTech Controller Hex Switches
1 2
3
0
4
5
6
78
9A
B
C
D
E
F
1 2
3
0
4
5
6
78
9A
B
C
D
E
F
HI (left) hex switch
LO (right) hex switch
After changing a hex switch setting, power to the MCB must be cycled to set the new address into
memory. In MicroTech supervisory panels, you can do this by opening and then closing circuit
breaker CB. In the unit controllers, this can be done in a variety of ways. Refer to the individual
installation manuals for more information on cycling power to the unit controller MCBs.
Note:
If any equipment is running, shut it down before removing power from the unit controller.
Follow the shutdown procedures in the unit controller installation and operation manuals.
