Ei Electronics RadioLINK Relay Module Ei428 User manual

RadioLINK Relay Base
Instruction Manual
Read and retain carefully for as long as the product is being
used. It contains vital information on the operation and
installation of your device. The manual should be regarded
as part of the product.
If you are just installing this device, the manual MUST be
given to the householder. The manual is to be given to any
subsequent user.
1. Introduction
The Ei428 RadioLINK Relay Module is a device that switches
a relay upon receipt of an RF alarm signal from a compatible
Ei Alarm. The electrically isolated contacts can be used for
many applications such as signalling, turning on lights, etc.
The Ei428 is designed to operate with Ei RF devices.
The Ei428 RadioLINK Relay Module is powered by the
230VAC mains and has rechargeable back-up cells. As
supplied the relay operates continuously (i.e. it switches when
one of the Alarms detects fire and switches back when the
alarm condition is finished).
2. Overview
1
HOUSE
CODE
SWITCH
INDICATOR LIGHT
GREEN - MAINS
FLASHING RED - LOW BATTERY
ALTERNATING GREEN / RED
- HOUSE CODING
COVER ATTACHMENT
SCREWS
Figure 1a
Model: Ei428

3. Technical Specifications
Power Supply: 230V AC
Battery back up: 6V rechargeable Lithium cells
Power consumption 0.8W (standby)
Contact Rating: 250V AC, 5A resistive
Continuous or Pulse mode
Output: One volt free contact (NO/NC)
Visual Indicator: 2 colour LED: Green & Red
Green: Power
Flashing Red: Low Battery
Red & Green alternating: house
code mode
RF Frequency: 868.499MHz (1% duty cycle)
Max RF Power: 2.5dBm
Receiver category: 2
Interconnect*: Up to 12 RF devices
Temperature Range: -10˚Cto40˚C
Humidity Range: 15% to 95% RH (non-condensing)
Dimensions: Product: 141 x 26 mm
Package: 145 x 30 x 146 mm
Weight: 180g (Pack +30g)
*We recommend, for ease of installation and RF
communication, that up to 12 RF devices can be installed
in any one RF coded system. Please contact us for further
advice if additional RF devices are required.
2
RECHARGEABLE
CELLS
ON/OFF
SLIDE SWITCH
HOUSE CODE
SWITCH
C - CONTINUOUS RELAY
CHANGES UNTIL ACTIVATION STOPS RELAY CHANGES
FOR 5 SECONDS
P - PULSE
ANTENNA
(KEEP CABLES
AWAY)
REAR ENTRY
KNOCKOUT
INDICATOR
LIGHT
VOLT FREE RELAY
CONTACT FOR THE
CONTROL OF THE
AUXILIARY DEVICE
NO - NORMALLY OPEN
NC - NORMALLY CLOSED
C - COMMON
(DOUBLE INSULATE ALL WIRES)
SURFACE
CONDUIT
CABLE
ENTRY
SCREW
MOUNTING
HOLES
ON
OFF
NO
N
IC
L
L
IC
N
NC
C
CONNECT MAINS
TO TERMINAL BLOCK
L - LIVE
N - NEUTRAL
PC
Figure 1b

4. Important Safety Instructions
WARNING: Mains powered Ei428 RadioLINK Relay modules
should be installed by a qualified electrician in accordance
with the relevant local Regulations for Electrical Installations.
Failure to install this device correctly may expose the user to
shock or fire hazards and damage the product. This unit is not
waterproof and must not be exposed to dripping or splashing.
WARNING: An all-pole mains switch shall be incorporated in
the electrical installation of the building.
Attention: Alternative Energy Sources – (Wind, solar, UPS,
etc.). This product is designed to be connected to a Pure or
True Sine Wave 230V AC supply.
If connecting to a power source that utilises an inverter,
e.g.PV solar panel, the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
must be less than 5%. If in doubt, please check with the
manufacturer of the inverter. This also applies to battery
powered UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) inverters.
The relay base must not be powered from a light dimmer
circuit.
5. Installation
WARNING: First disconnect the mains from the circuit to be
used.
WARNING:
To prevent injury, this apparatus must be
securely attached to the ceiling or wall in accordance with the
installation instructions.
1. Choose a suitable mounting position near the mains
supply and the device to be connected to the relay. Keep
it away from metal surfaces or large metal objects (e.g.
water cylinder, fuse boards) which can reduce the RF
signal range.
2. Where the incoming wiring is on the surface of the wall/
ceiling, the appropriately sized trunking / conduit must be
chosen to mate with the unit. Use a sharp knife to remove
the material from the knockout, making sure that there is
no gap when mated with trunking/conduit. There is one
suitable surface cabling knockout (the other two surface
entries are not recommended as the wiring will reduce the
antenna signal). There is one rear entry knockout. See
figure 1b.
3. Screw the Ei428 module to the wall after first removing the
required knockout and bringing the house wires through it
(see figure 1b).
4. Connect the power supply wires (Live & Neutral) to
the mains terminal block as shown in figure 1b. (Screw
tightening torque: max 0.5Nm (5.1kgf.cm))
NB: The unit must not be earthed so do not connect a
green / yellow or copper earth wire to any terminal.
5. Connect the L (Live) wire from the power supply of the
auxiliary device to the C (Common) terminal.
3

6. Then connect either the NC or NO contact of the relay
(depending on what is required for controlling the auxiliary
device) to the auxiliary device. For example, if the relay is
used to cut out a boiler in case of alarm, then NC should
be used but for a Beacon that should only be on in case
of alarm, then the NO should be used.
7. Alternatively, if the auxiliary device is powered from the
same circuit as the relay ie 230VAC, a link wire can be
inserted between the L (Live) terminal and the C (Common)
terminal of the relay. Then, connect either the NC or NO
contact of the relay (depending on what is required) to the
auxiliary device. Connect the N (Neutral) terminal from the
relay to the auxiliary device see below diagrams.
8. If momentary (pulse) relay operation is required, carefully
and gently slide the yellow switch to the “P” position. This
is commonly used with warden call systems where only
momentary short circuit signalling is required. This must
be done before the mains power is connected or the
rechargeable cells are activated.
With the switch in the “C” position, the alarm signal will
switch the latching relay until it receives a cancel signal.
9. Connect the rechargeable cells by carefully and gently
sliding the switch to the “ON” position (see figure 1b).
This switch must be in the ‘ON’ position to ensure correct
operation.
10. Fit and screw the cover to the module pillars using the two
screws supplied.
11. Connect the mains power to the Ei428 module.
12. Check the green light is on. If the green light changes to
red every 10 seconds then switch off the mains power,
remove the cover and check that the battery slide switch
is in the “ON” position (see figure 1b). Replace the cover
and turn the mains power back on. If there is still a problem
the rechargeable cells may be depleted, leave the unit on
mains power for 2 hours to charge and test again.
13. Press and hold the House Code switch through the hole
in the cover using a small screwdriver, see figure 1a, until
4
C
NC
NO
L
IC
NExternal Device
Ei428
External Device
Power Supply
(230V AC or Low Voltage)
Power Supply
(230V AC)
RF signal
LN
C
NC
NO
L
IC
N
Ei428
External Device
(230V AC)
Power Supply
(230V AC)
RF signal
L
N
C
NC
NO
L
IC
NExternal Device
Ei428
External Device
Power Supply
(230V AC or Low Voltage)
Power Supply
(230V AC)
RF signal
LN
C
NC
NO
L
IC
N
Ei428
External Device
(230V AC)
Power Supply
(230V AC)
RF signal
L
N

the green light changes to red. Release the switch and the
light will flash red quickly, a few times. The red light will
then flash every 5 seconds.
14. House code all other RF Alarms and devices in the
system. Consult the instruction manuals on how to house
code the Alarms and devices. It is essential that each
individual Alarm/device is put into House Code mode in
its final location.
15. Check the number of flashes on the Ei428 and on every
other device. They should correspond to the total number
of devices in your system (provided no more than 12 RF
devices are installed in the system). A system with 3x
Alarms and 1x Ei428 will result in 4 flashes. It may take
up to 10 minutes before all 4 flashes are seen.
The flash pattern will repeat every 5 to 10 seconds
while the Ei428 remains in house code mode. If it fails
to flash the correct number of times, then consult the
“Troubleshooting the RF interconnection” section of this
instruction manual. To complete the commissioning, the
RF system must exit House Code mode.
16. The Ei428 will automatically exit House code mode after
30 minutes. Other devices may exit after only 15 minutes.
Once coded, the system will not communicate with any
other RF Alarms and devices outside of the house coded
group.
To manually exit House Code mode, press the House
Code button again on the Ei428 until the RF indicator
lights up red, then release. This will send a signal to all the
other RF Alarms and devices to exit House Code mode.
After a short period, the red light will turn off and the
system will return to standby mode. Depending on the
number of RF Alarms and devices in the system this
period could vary from 5 to 20 seconds.
Note: Not all devices are able to receive the Exit House
Code mode signal from another device. If some devices
continue to flash amber / red, please consult their
instruction manual to manually exit house code mode.
Check that the RF indicators have stopped flashing on all
devices.
17. To check the system, press the Test button for up to 60
seconds on any house coded Alarm. After a few seconds
all Alarms should sound. Ensure that the device connected
to the relay contacts operates. After 60 seconds release
the test button – check the device switches off. (If the
continuous/pulse slide switch is in the pulse position,
check the relay just switches on for 5 seconds and then
switches off). All RF devices in the house code system
should be checked similarly.
Note: A maximum of 12 RF devices may be interconnected
to one relay. When one Alarm sounds, all interconnected
Alarms will sound and the relay will switch.
5

Attention:
Do not interconnect Carbon Monoxide Alarms
with smoke/Heat Alarms unless and Ei450 control switch is
used in that system. The Ei450 will allow the user to identify
quickly the source of the alarm (e.g. fire or CO gas) and take
appropriate action. This is important as the occupant will need
to open all windows and doors if it is a CO incident but do the
opposite to slow down a fire.
Note:
The rechargeable cells enable the Ei428 to switch
during mains failure upon receipt of an alarm signal. They will
power the relay for up to 2 months in the event of the mains
being off.
6. Checking & Maintaining Your Alarm System
We recommend a monthly check of your alarm system. When
checking the system also check the Ei428 as follows:
(i) Check that the green LED power indicator is on. If it is off,
check circuit breaker fuse, wiring etc.. When the mains is
restored the green light will come on solid.
(ii) The LED flashing red every 10 seconds indicates a
battery problem. Check that the slide switch is in the “ON”
position (See fig 1b) and leave the battery to recharge
for 2 hours before checking again. If the unit continues
to flash red every 10 seconds then the unit is defective
and must be replaced, see “Getting your Relay Base
Serviced” section.
(iii) Press the Alarm Test Button and check that:
a) The relay switches and
b) The auxiliary device behaves as expected
End of Life
After 10 years (see date label on the side of the Relay), the
RadioLINK Relay Base must be replaced.
7. Checking the Relay Back Up Cells
It is important to check that the rechargeable cells in the
Ei428 are switched on, charged and capable of switching the
relay contacts.
This should be done after installation and then at least
annually.
1. Disconnect the mains supply
2. Check the relay as described in section 6
3. If everything is satisfactory, re-connect the mains.
If the relay fails to operate, then the unit is defective and must
be replaced.
8. Troubleshooting the RF interconnection
If when testing, the Ei428 does not respond, then:
a. Ensure you have held the Alarm Test button down until the
RF light comes on (this can take up to 40 seconds).
b. Reset the house code. Sometimes to resolve an RF
communication issue, it may be necessary to reset and
6

house code all RF Alarms and devices in the system
again. To reset the Ei428, press and hold the House
Code button until it the LED starts flashing Red. At this
point release the House Code button. The Ei428 is now
reset. To reset the other devices in the system, consult
the appropriate instruction manuals. Once all devices are
reset, repeat the House Coding procedure.
c. Relocate the Ei428 and/or rotate/relocate the Alarms.
There are several reasons why RF signals may not reach
all the devices in your system. Try rotating or relocating
Alarms as this can significantly improve signal reception.
Rotating and/or relocating the RF devices may move them
out of the range of existing devices even though they may
have already been house coded correctly in the system. It
is important therefore to check that all detectors/relays are
communicating in their final installed positions. If units are
rotated and/ or resited, we recommend that all units are
returned to the factory settings. Then house code all units
again in their final positions as indicated above. The RF
interconnection should then be re-checked again.
9. Getting your Relay Base Serviced
If, within the guarantee period, your RadioLINK Relay Base
fails to work after you have carefully read all the instructions
and checked that the device has been installed correctly and
is receiving AC power, then contact us. If you are advised to
return your product, follow the instructions given. Open the
cover and turn off the rechargeable cells with slide switch (see
fig 1b). Put the device in a padded box with proof of purchase,
your contact details and a note stating the nature of the fault.
10. Five Year Guarantee
Ei Electronics guarantees this device for five years from date
of purchase against any defects that are due to faulty materials
or workmanship. If this device should become defective within
the guarantee period, we shall at our discretion repair or
replace the faulty unit.
This guarantee only applies to normal conditions of use and
service, and does not include damage resulting from accident,
neglect, misuse, unauthorised dismantling, or contamination
howsoever caused. This guarantee excludes incidental and
consequential damage.
Do not interfere with this device or attempt to tamper with it.
This will invalidate the guarantee but more importantly may
expose the user to shock or fire hazards.
This guarantee does not apply to any product that has been
modified in any way by a third party or has been fitted with a
third-party element.
This guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights as a
consumer.
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P/N A15267 Rev7
© Ei Electronics 2022
8
Aico Ltd
Maesbury Rd, Oswestry, Shropshire
SY10 8NR, U.K.
Tel: [phone]
www.aico.co.uk
Ei Electronics
Shannon, V14 H020, Co. Clare, Ireland.
Tel:[phone]
www.eielectronics.com
Hereby, Ei Electronics declares that this Ei428
RadioLINK Relay Base is in compliance with the
essential requirements and other relevant provisions of
Directive 2014/53/EU. The Declaration of Conformity
may be consulted at
www.eielectronics.com/compliance
0889
Hereby, Ei Electronics declares that this Ei428
RadioLINK Relay Base is in compliance with the
essential requirements of the Radio Equipment
Regulations 2017. The Declaration of Conformity may
be consulted at www.eielectronics.com/compliance
The crossed out wheelie bin symbol that is on your
product indicates that this product should not be disposed
of via the normal household waste stream. Proper
disposal will prevent possible harm to the environment or
to human health. When disposing of this product please
separate it from other waste streams to ensure that it can
be recycled in an environmentally sound manner. For
more details on collection and proper disposal, please
contact your local government office or the retailer where
you purchased this product.
Block E1
11. Limitations of Radio Communications
Ei Electronics radio communication systems are very reliable
and are tested to high standards. However, due to their low
transmitting power and limited range (required by regulatory
bodies), there are some limitations to be considered:
- Receivers may be blocked by radio signals occurring on or
near their operating frequencies, regardless of the House
Coding.
- RF systems should be tested regularly, at least monthly. This
is to determine whether there are sources of interference
preventing communication, that the radio paths have not
been disrupted by moving furniture or renovations, and if so,
to give a warning of these and other faults.