ETC Unison Foundry Relay Controller User manual

ETC Installation Guide
Unison Foundry Relay Controller
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Contact etcconnect.com/contactETC | © 2023 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
Trademark and patent info: etcconnect.com/ip | Product information and specifications
subject to change. ETC intends this document to be provided in its entirety.
7179M2150 Rev A Released 2023-02
Overview
The Unison Foundry Relay Controller offers fully-rated 20 A relays to switch
lighting loads on and off. The Relay Controller provides two outputs of
switched power control that can be wired to individual fixtures or used for
zone control. Each output can be configured to a separate DMX address, or
both outputs can be controlled in unison by setting the Relay Controller to
single-channel mode (see
Channel Mode on page 7 ).
Control connected loads from any DMX control device. Configure the Relay
Controller either remotely via RDM (using a tool like Concert) or locally on
the controller. See Configure the Relay Controller on page 7 .
Specifications
Ambient Environment
For indoor use only. Rated for plenum use.
• 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) operating temperatures in 5%–95%
non-condensing humidity.

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Electrical Specification
The Relay Controller Supports:
• Power input 120–277 VAC, 60 Hz
• Load rating:
- 20 A general purpose, tungsten, or resistive
- 16 A electronic ballast
Compliance
• cULus listed
• Conforms to UL 508 (Industrial Control Equipment), UL 916 (Energy
Management Equipment) and UL 2043 (Plenum rated)
• Certified to CSA C22.2 No. 14 (Industrial Control Equipment) and
No. 205 (Signal Equipment)
Note:
The maximum load on the Relay Controller can be split
between the two relay outputs in any combination
required for the installation, but cannot exceed the
maximum load as specified above.
FCC Compliance
Unison Foundry Relay Controller
(For any FCC matters):
Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
3031 Pleasant View Road
Middleton, WI 53562
[phone]
etcconnect.com
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received; including interference that may cause undesired operation. Visit
etcconnect.com/products for current and complete compliance information including FCC
compliance.
Note:
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in
a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. Any modifications or
changes to this product not expressly approved by Electronic
Theatre Controls, Inc. could void the user’s authority to operate
the product. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is
likely to cause harmful interference, in which case the user will be
required to correct the interference at their own expense.

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Prepare for Installation
The Relay Controller is designed for mounting directly to an electrical
junction box or panel (provided by others) at the electrical lighting load,
upstream of the load in the circuit.
DMX Control Wiring
The Relay Controller connects to a DMX512-A source (provided by ETC or
others) for control.
DMX wiring runs can be daisy chains of up to 32 devices with no Y’s or
loops. Each DMX daisy chain must be terminated for proper control
performance (see Terminate DMX on page 5 ).
ETC recommends using Belden 9729 (or approved equivalent) Class 2 wire.
Belden 1583A or equivalent Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat 6 UTP wire is also acceptable
when properly shielded or installed in grounded metal conduit.
A voltage barrier installation box (part number 7187A1000) is available for
installations where DMX control wiring is installed in grounded metal
conduit. Contact ETC to purchase voltage barrier installation boxes if
required.
The total combined length of a DMX wire run (using Belden 9729 or
equivalent) may not exceed 300 m (1,000 ft).
Note:
If your installation requires Class 2 wiring to be
installed in separate conduit, a voltage barrier
installation box is available from ETC. Order ETC part
number 7187A1000.
Note:
All control wiring should be installed and terminated
by a qualified installer and should follow standard
wiring installation practices.
Leave approximately 20 cm (8 in) of wiring available for
connection and to allow slack for future service needs .
Note:
For more information on DMX control wiring
requirements, see these and other Support Articles at
etcconnect.com:
• support.etcconnect.com/ETC/FAQ/DMX-512-Info
• support.etcconnect.com/ETC/FAQ/DMX_Over_Cat5

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Installation
Installation should follow all local codes and standard electrical practices.
Ensure that the junction box is clean and free of obstructions and that all
wiring is installed correctly.
1. Locate the circuit breaker panel and turn off the power to the lighting
circuit.
2. To gain access to the line voltage wiring, remove the cover plate and
other hardware from the junction box at the load.
3. Mount the Relay Controller to the exterior of the junction box or panel
using the 1/2 in threaded nipple. Use the provided 1/2 in conduit
locknut to secure the Relay Controller to the junction box or panel.
WARNING:
Risk of electric shock! This device utilizes high
voltage and should only be installed by a qualified
installer or electrician. Follow all local codes for
installation. Before terminating the AC power
wiring verify that the main breaker is in the off
position and follow the proper lockout/tag out
procedures per NFPA Standard 70E.
AVERTISSEMENT :
Risque de décharge électrique! Cette appareil
utilise une haute tension et ne doit être installé
que par un installateur qualifié ou un électricien.
Suivez tous les codes locaux pour l'installation.
Avant de raccorder le câblage du courant
alternatif, vérifiez que le disjoncteur principal est
en position d'arrêt et suivez les procédures de
Consignation/Déconsignation prescrites par la
norme NFPA 70E.
WARNING:
For indoor use only! Must install to an electrical
junction box or wireway.
AVERTISSEMENT :
Uniquement pour usage d'intérieur! Doit être
installé sur une boîte de raccordement électrique
ou un chemin de câbles.

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Connect DMX
1. Pull wiring to the junction box.
2. Terminate the DMX cable by following the steps in the termination kit
supplied with the unit.
Terminate DMX
Terminate the last device in the DMX data run for proper control
performance. To terminate the DMX data run at the Relay Controller,
connect the last two pins on the termination connector with a wire jumper
(not included).
Note:
Follow all local code requirements for terminating
wire.
• Notice that the harness wires on the controller are
pre-stripped for your installation convenience.
• Use appropriately sized wire nuts (not provided) to
secure each termination.
Note:
Because resistance is built into the Relay Controller, no
additional resistor is required to terminate the last
device in the DMX data run.

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Connect Power Input and Relay Output
The power input and relay output wiring exits the Relay Controller through
the knockout mount on the enclosure.
1. Connect the power input wiring.
a. Connect the white wire (14 AWG) to the incoming neutral wire
from the breaker panel and the neutral wire of the lighting load.
b. Connect the black power input wire (12 AWG) to the line input
feed wire (hot) from the breaker panel.
2. Connect the relay output wiring. The Relay Controller has two relay
output wires (12 AWG): Zone 1 is red and Zone 2 is red/white.
a. Connect the Zone 1 relay output wire (red) to the hot input of the
first load.
b. Connect the Zone 2 relay output wire (red/white) to the hot input
of the second load.
3. Reinstall the junction box cover plate.
Note:
When configured to single-channel mode, a single
DMX address controls both relays. If you are using only
one output, cap off the unused wires with wire nuts
(not included).
DMX-512A
Black
Line In
White
Neutral
Load 1
Red
Load 2
Red/White

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Configure the Relay Controller
You can use RDM to set the DMX address and data loss behavior for the
Relay Controller. You can set other parameters using RDM, too. See RDM
Parameters on page 14 .
Channel Mode
You can configure the Relay Controller to single-channel or dual-channel
mode using Concert or another RDM controller.
• Single-channel mode: Both relays are assigned to a single DMX
address and function in unison.
• Dual-channel mode: Each relay is assigned a separate DMX address
for control. The second DMX address is always the next sequential
address after the first DMX address, and this cannot be changed. The
Relay Controller ships from the factory in dual-channel mode. See
RDM Parameters on page 14 .
You can also switch between single-channel mode and dual-channel mode
using the SET button on the Relay Controller. Press and hold the SET button
to switch modes. The POWER LED will blink once for single-channel mode or
twice for dual-channel mode.
DMX Address
You can assign DMX addresses to an entire daisy chain of Unison Foundry
devices using Concert or another RDM controller. If you cannot assign the
DMX addresses using RDM, you can manually set the DMX start address on
the device. The default factory-set DMX address is 1, and the range of
available addresses is 1–512.

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Manually Set the DMX Address
If you cannot assign the DMX addresses using RDM, use the MODE and SET
buttons to set the value of each digit in the three-digit DMX address in
sequence.
Task What to do What you will see
1: Put the controller
into DMX addressing
mode.
Press and hold the MODE
button.
•ThePOWER LED indicator blinks
3 times to indicate that you can set the
100s digit of the DMX address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the
100s digit in the current DMX address.
For example, if the current DMX
address is 201, the SIGNAL LED
indicator blinks 2 times. (If the 100s
digit is a 0, the indicator remains lit and
does not blink.)
2: Set the 100s digit
of the DMX address.
Press the SET button to
set the 100s digit. For
example, press the button
once for 1, twice for 2,
and so forth up to five
times for 5. Press and hold
the SET button for 0.
If the 100s digit in the
new DMX address is the
same as in the current
DMX address, you can
keep the digit by skipping
to step 3.
•ThePOWER LED indicator continues to
blink 3 times to indicate that you are
setting the 100s digit of the DMX
address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the
value that you set for the 100s digit in
the DMX address.
SIGNAL LED
POWER LED
MODE button
SET button
201
10s 1s100s

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3: Set the 10s digit of
the DMX address.
Press the MODE button to
advance to the 10s digit.
•ThePOWER LED indicator blinks
2 times to indicate that you are setting
the 10s digit of the DMX address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the
10s digit in the current DMX address.
For example, if the current DMX
address is 201, the SIGNAL LED
indicator remains lit and does not blink.
•IftheSIGNAL LED indicator rapidly
blinks red, this means that you set the
100s digit to an invalid value (for
example, 6). When this occurs, the
Relay Controller exits DMX addressing
mode without saving.
Press the SET button to
set the 10s digit. For
example, press the button
once for 1, twice for 2,
and so forth up to nine
times for 9. Press and hold
the SET button for 0.
If the 10s digit in the new
DMX address is the same
as in the current DMX
address, you can keep the
digit by skipping to step 4.
•ThePOWER LED indicator continues to
blink 2 times to indicate that you are
setting the 10s digit of the DMX
address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the
value that you set for the 10s digit in
the DMX address.
Task What to do What you will see
201
10s 1s100s

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4: Set the 1s digit of
the DMX address.
Press the MODE button to
advance to the 1s digit.
•ThePOWER LED indicator blinks once
to indicate that you are setting the 1s
digit of the DMX address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the 1s
digit in the current DMX address. For
example, if the current DMX address is
201, the SIGNAL LED indicator blinks
once.
•IftheSIGNAL LED indicator rapidly
blinks red, this means that you set the
10s digit to an invalid value. When this
occurs, the Relay Controller exits DMX
addressing mode without saving.
Press the SET button to
set the 1s digit.
If the 1s digit in the new
DMX address is the same
as in the current DMX
address, you can keep the
digit by skipping to step 5.
•ThePOWER LED indicator continues to
blink once to indicate that you are
setting the 1s digit of the DMX
address.
•TheSIGNAL LED indicator blinks the
value that you set for the 1s digit in the
DMX address.
5: Save the new DMX
address.
Press the MODE button. • The POWER LED indicator and SIGNAL
LED indicator return to their normal
functions (see
LED Indicators and
User Interface
on page 12 ).
•IftheSIGNAL LED indicator rapidly
blinks red, this means that you set the
1s digit to an invalid value. When this
occurs, the Relay Controller exits DMX
addressing mode without saving.
Note:
The Relay Controller will exit DMX addressing mode
after 1 minute of inactivity. When this occurs, the
controller retains the DMX address that was saved
before you entered DMX addressing mode.
Task What to do What you will see
10s
201
1s100s