BURK Technology PlusConnect User manual

PlusConnect™ for GatesAir 3DX Transmitters
Installation and Operation Manual
Introduction
The PlusConnect™ for GatesAir 3DX provides a connection between the GatesAir 3DX
transmitters and the ARC Plus transmitter remote control system. Transmitter parameters
are read by the PlusConnect using a serial connection to the transmitter. They are then
forwarded to a receiving ARC Plus unit via Ethernet. PlusConnect channels can then be
monitored and controlled via:
Front panel of the ARC Plus
Web browser, with the web server built into the ARC Plus
PC via optional AutoPilot® Plus software
Optional telephone connection to the ARC Plus.
The PlusConnect is part of the Plus-X™ family of expansion products designed for the
ARC Plus.
Important! The PlusConnect operates in conjunction with an ARC Plus system. Be sure
to complete configuration of the ARC Plus before adding the PlusConnect to the system.
Installation Tip
Even though the ARC Plus and the PlusConnect may be operated on different subnets, it
is strongly recommended that the PlusConnect be installed on the same LAN as the ARC
Plus. In a network failure, a PlusConnect on the same LAN as the ARC Plus benefits
from the macros, event logging and alarm reporting handled onboard the ARC Plus.
Unpacking
The PlusConnect for GatesAir 3DX ships with the following:
Manual
PlusConnect unit
Power cord
Null modem cable
DB-9M to DB-9F straight-through serial cable
10’ Shielded CAT5 cable

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Front Panel Indicators
The POWER LED indicates power is applied
The LINK LED verifies connectivity between the transmitter and the
PlusConnect. If the LED is off, the serial cable is disconnected or there is a
connection error.
Hardware Configuration
This step will link the PlusConnect to a specific ARC Plus unit and will identify the
transmitter to which the unit will be connected.
1. Use the supplied null modem cable to connect a COM port on a PC to the DB-
9M serial port on the PlusConnect.
2. Open a HyperTerminal connection (19200 8-N-1) to the COM port you are using.
3. Use a paper clip or similar small object to press the Config button on the
PlusConnect unit while applying power. The power LED will blink when the unit
is in config mode.
4. HyperTerminal will display the current configuration settings for the
PlusConnect. If this is the first time you are setting up the PlusConnect, default
values will be returned.
5. Enter new configuration settings for the PlusConnect where prompted. You will
be asked to configure:
IP address. The network address of the PlusConnect unit.
Subnet mask. The subnet mask for the PlusConnect.
Port number. The Plus-X port number configured on the ARC Plus.
Leave this set to default (45000) unless the Plus-X port number has been
changed on the ARC Plus.*
ARC Plus IP address. The IP address of the ARC Plus used to connect to
the PlusConnect.*
Gateway. The gateway address of the network.
PC ID and TX ID. Leave these parameters set to default unless there is
reason to change them.
*If you are not sure, you can view the ARC Plus network settings from the
front panel of the ARC Plus by selecting Config > System > Network.
6. Power off the PlusConnect when you are done.

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Installation
After entering the configuration settings, you are ready to install the PlusConnect in its
permanent location.
1. Use the supplied serial cable to connect the system controller serial port on the
GatesAir 3DX transmitter to the serial port on the PlusConnect.
2. Connect the PlusConnect to your network hub or switch using the supplied 10’
shielded Ethernet cable (or equivalent).
3. Apply power to the PlusConnect.
Software Configuration
Now that the PlusConnect is installed on the network and connected to the transmitter,
you are ready to add the PlusConnect to the ARC Plus configuration using AutoLoad
Plus software. AutoLoad Plus is included with the ARC Plus and may also be
downloaded from the support section of www.burk.com.
Configuration involves:
Adding the PlusConnect unit to the ARC Plus site
Mapping PlusConnect parameters to unused ARC Plus channels
Adding the PlusConnect Unit to the ARC Plus Site

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In order for the ARC Plus to recognize the PlusConnect, the PlusConnect must be added
to the site:
1. Open AutoLoad Plus and connect to the ARC Plus site where the PlusConnect
will be added.
2. From the Edit menu, select Plus-X Devices to open the Plus-X device
configuration dialog.
3. Click New… to add the PlusConnect to the site.
4. You will be asked to select the device type, which in this case is “GatesAir
3DX.” You may optionally change the Description for the PlusConnect. The
description appears in AutoLoad Plus to identify each PlusConnect channel.
Important! If your transmitter model does not appear in the drop-down list under
Plus-X devices, you will need to download the XML file containing configuration
data for the transmitter. This is available in the AutoLoad Plus support section of
the web site at www.burk.com. After downloading the file, save it to C:\Program
Files\Burk Technology\AutoLoad Plus\Plus-X.
5. Enter the IP address and port number of the PlusConnect. These should be the
same settings you used when you configured the PlusConnect with
HyperTerminal.
6. Check the Map default set of channels box if you wish to automatically add the
most commonly used PlusConnect parameters to the ARC Plus (recommended).
In the case of the 3DX, the default set of channels includes all available
parameters. This will replace unused ARC Plus channels with 77 PlusConnect
status channels, 36 meters and 13 commands. Enter the number of the first unused
ARC Plus channel. There must be 77 consecutive unused channels, including
this starting channel. You do not need to have additional Integrated Input Units
and Integrated Command Relay Units in order to use these channels.
Important! PlusConnect channels take the place of normal I/O channels. If a
metering input, status input, or command relay is connected to an ARC Plus
channel and a PlusConnect parameter is subsequently mapped to that channel, the
I/O channel will no longer be displayed.
7. Click OK.

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Manually Mapping PlusConnect Parameters
Even if you chose to map the default set of channels when you added the PlusConnect to
the site, you may wish to map additional channels to the ARC Plus, provided there is
sufficient unused channel capacity in the ARC Plus system
Map additional channels is accomplished in AutoLoad Plus by selecting the Metering
Channels, Status Channels or Commands tabs, as appropriate:
1. Within any of these tabs, click the Override button to change a channel’s
assignment from a traditional I/O channel to a Plus-X channel.
2. When the Override Channel dialog appears, select Plus-X channel and choose the
Plus-X device from the list. Then select the PlusConnect channel you wish to use
instead of the I/O channel.
3. Press OK.
Once mapped, the PlusConnect channel will appear on the front panel of the ARC Plus,
in AutoPilot Plus software, on the web server, and will be accessible via optional
telephone dial-up (ESI Plus).

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Setting Up Labels, Limits and Alarms
Labels, limits and alarms for PlusConnect parameters are set up in AutoLoad Plus, and
the process is the same as for limits and alarms of other ARC Plus channels. Refer to the
ARC Plus manual for information on channel configuration.
Important! Because operational preferences vary so widely, no alarms are pre-
configured within the PlusConnect channels. You must use AutoLoad Plus to set up
alarms for PlusConnect channels.
Creating a PlusConnect Custom View in AutoPilot Plus
The easiest way to monitor PlusConnect parameters is by creating a custom view in
AutoPilot plus using a pre-built template specific to your transmitter model. In order to
use templates, you must map the default set of channels to the ARC Plus during setup. If
you have mapped a custom set of channels, you can still use custom views to display
them, but the templates will not function as intended.
To create a custom view with a PlusConnect template:
1. Open the custom view editor by
selecting File > New > Custom
View.
2. When the Custom View Editor
opens, select File > New From
Template… This opens the Load
Template dialog.
3. Browse for the desired template.
The default location for templates
is c:\Program Files\Burk Technology\Custom Views. Choose the PlusConnect
folder, followed by the GatesAir 3DX. Then select the template that corresponds
to your transmitter model.

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4. Enter the Network name and Site name for the ARC Plus connected to the
PlusConnect, followed by the Starting channel for the PlusConnect parameters.
This starting channel must be the same as the starting channel you used when
adding the PlusConnect to the ARC Plus site.
5. Press OK. AutoPilot Plus will load the template in the editor and automatically
populate the channels.
6. Save the custom view using the Save icon in the toolbar.
7. Close the editor. You may then select the custom view for display in AutoPilot
Plus.
Operation
Once the PlusConnect parameters have been mapped to ARC Plus channels using
AutoLoad Plus, accessing the transmitter parameters is no different from any other ARC
Plus channel. Channels may be viewed on the front panel of any ARC Plus in the
network, using the built-in web server, by connecting to the system with AutoPilot Plus
software, or by dialing into the system via optional telephone interface. For more
information on using the ARC Plus to monitor and control the remote site, please see the
ARC Plus installation and operation manual.
Note that the PlusConnect channels are routed only through the ARC Plus unit specified
during PlusConnect configuration. In order to access the transmitter parameters by any
means, the ARC Plus unit must be powered and connected to the network.
Troubleshooting
Connection Errors
If the serial connection between the transmitter and the PlusConnect is interrupted, the
Link LED on the front panel of the PlusConnect will be off. Check the cable connection
to ensure transmitter data is accessible by the PlusConnect.
If the network connection between the PlusConnect and ARC Plus is lost, the ARC Plus
will log an alarm after three minutes of network failure.
Tip: PlusConnect events and errors are logged to the ARC Plus event list, which is
accessible by the ARC Plus front panel and from AutoPilot Plus software.
Getting Help
For customer support, please send email to [email protected] or call our direct customer
support line at 978-486-3711. We will be glad to assist you. The customer support office
is open Monday-Friday, 9AM to 5PM Eastern time.

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Warranty
Burk Technology, Inc. warrants the PlusConnect for GatesAir 3DX transmitters to be
free of defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 24 months from the date of
purchase. Equipment will be repaired or replaced at the option of Burk Technology and
returned freight prepaid to the customer. Damage due to abuse or improper operation or
installation of the equipment or caused by fire or flood or harsh environment is not to be
covered by this warranty. Damage in shipping is not the responsibility of Burk
Technology. A return authorization must be obtained before returning any equipment.
Materials returned under this warranty must be shipped freight prepaid and insured in the
original shipping carton or suitable substitute to Burk Technology, Inc., 7 Beaver Brook
Road, Littleton, MA 01460. Repairs not covered under this warranty will be made at
prevailing shop rates established by Burk Technology.
THE WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BURK TECHNOLOGY, INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE
TO ANY PARTY FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF THIS EQUIPMENT.