p5 FNIP-8x16A.v4 User manual

1 | Page
FutureNow FNIP-8x16A.v4
Installation and Operations Manual
rev 25.05.2021
8 Channel Relay Switch with Local Inputs and IP communication
/DIN Rail and Surface Mountable/
Figure 1. The FNIP-8x16A.v4 relay module

2 | Page
Table of Content
INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................................... 3
Terminal connections.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Wiring diagrams.................................................................................................................................................. 5
Outputs................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Local Inputs ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Status LED Indicators diagram ........................................................................................................................... 7
CONFIGURATION................................................................................................................................................ 9
Configuration via the web interface.................................................................................................................... 9
Once logged in, you will automatically be directed to the control page. you can see the details in the Operation
section............................................................................................................................................................... 10
Network settings ............................................................................................................................................... 10
Users and user rights......................................................................................................................................... 11
Channel settings................................................................................................................................................ 13
Scenes ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
Firmware Upgrade ............................................................................................................................................ 15
Resetting to factory defaults.............................................................................................................................. 15
Saving the configuration................................................................................................................................... 15
OPERATION........................................................................................................................................................ 16
Operation via the local inputs ........................................................................................................................... 16
Input modes................................................................................................................................................... 16
Operation via the built-in web server................................................................................................................ 17
Control page.................................................................................................................................................. 17
Input page: .................................................................................................................................................... 18
Operation via TCP ............................................................................................................................................ 18
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 20

3 | Page
INSTALLATION
WARNING!
This equipment shall be installed in a closed cabinet with no access to live parts.
Only the top enclosure of the equipment (where the label is affixed) is allowed
to be accessed by the operator.
Since the module is connected to mains/line voltage, it must be installed by
a qualified electrician in accordance with local electrical codes.
Turn off power (main circuit breaker) before installation.
Terminal connections
Each module has a wiring diagram on the front which can help the installer when
connecting the modules at installation sites. See figure 2.
The terminal connections of the FNIP-8x16A.v4 are listed in Table 1.
Figure 2. FNIP-8x16A.v4 front view with terminal connectors

4 | Page
Pos.
Description
Pos.
Description
1.
Output 1 N.O.
27.
Input 1 +
2.
Output 1 C.
28.
Input 1 -
3.
Output 1 N.C.
29.
Input 2 +
4.
Output 2 N.O.
30.
Input 2 -
5.
Output 2 C.
31.
Input 3 +
6.
Output 2 N.C.
32.
Input 3 -
7.
Output 3 N.O.
33.
Input 4 +
8.
Output 3 C.
34.
Input 4 -
9.
Output 3 N.C.
35.
Input 5 +
10.
Output 4 N.O.
36.
Input 5 -
11.
Output 4 C.
37.
Input 6 +
12.
Output 4 N.C.
38.
Input 6 -
13.
-
39.
Input 7 +
14.
-
40.
Input 7 -
15.
Output 5 N.O.
41.
Input 8 +
16.
Output 5 C.
42.
Input 8 -
17.
Output 5 N.C.
43.
Power for the Inputs -
18.
Output 6 N.O.
44.
Power for the Inputs + (12V –24V DC)
19.
Output 6 C.
45.
Power for the Main Circuit -
20.
Output 6 N.C.
46.
Power for the Main Circuit + (12V –24V DC)
21.
Output 7 N.O.
47.
-
22.
Output 7 C.
48.
-
23.
Output 7 N.C.
49.
-
24.
Output 8 N.O.
50.
LAN
25.
Output 8 C.
51.
26
Output 8 N.C.
52
Table 1: FNIP-8x16A.v4 terminal connectors

5 | Page
Wiring diagrams
Input Wiring diagram
All input trigger options are shown in this diagram. (Dry contact, External
voltage)
Output Wiring diagram
All outputs in this example are used to switch line voltage on the same phase.
Since the outputs provide dry contacts, any voltage that doesn’t exceed the
specifications can be switched.
After installation, check if the outputs can be toggled via the inputs (only
applicable if input power is connected across terminals 43-44.) The status LEDs
will assist you in tracking the status of the inputs and outputs.
Recommended wire types
•Ethernet cable: Twisted pair, CAT5 or better.
•Outputs: According to the load attached to the outputs (current and voltage
ratings).
•Inputs: A pair of low voltage cable. The inputs use low voltage signals.
All wires used and the way they are run must be in accordance with the local
electrical codes.
18
Input
Power Main
Power
Power
12 - 24V DC
-+
+
-
+- +
-
+-
+ +
-
+- +
7
6
2345
+
-
External
Voltage
Source
9 - 26V DC
-+
-+ -+
In
Out
1234
NO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCC
5678
Load
1Load 2Load 3Load 4Load 5Load 6Load 7Load 8L
N
Power
12 - 24V DC
18
Input
Power Main
Power
Power
12 - 24V DC
-+
+
-
+- +
-
+-
+ +
-
+- +
7
6
2345
+
-
External
Voltage
Source
9 - 26V DC
-+
-+ -+
In
Out
1234
NO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCCNO NCC
5678
Load
1Load 2Load 3Load 4Load 5Load 6Load 7Load 8L
N
Power
12 - 24V DC

6 | Page
Please pay attention to the correct polarity.
The galvanic isolation of the inputs is only effective if a separate power supply is
used for powering the inputs. The FNIP-8x16A.v4 has separate power input
terminals (43 and 44) for this purpose. If you choose not to use the extra
protection the isolated inputs offer, you can use the same power supply for both
the main circuit and the inputs. In that case, simply connect terminal 43 to terminal
45 and terminal 44 to terminal 46.
Outputs
The FNIP-8x16A has eight heavy duty relay outputs. Almost any equipment used
in households or offices can be switched directly with the output relays. However,
if the load exceeds the specifications, an additional relay must be connected
between the output and the load. (for example in case of saunas, three-phase
equipment, driveway heaters, industrial machines, etc.)
All outputs have dry contacts, no power is provided for the connected circuits.
Local Inputs
For each output, there is a local input to allow for manual operation.
NEW with v4! External DC voltage can also be used to trigger the input circuits,
in the same way as dry contact switches can.
Please note: External voltage lower than 4.9V and higher than 8.2V will activate
the input circuit.
Voltage sources that supply 12 - 24V
when active and 0V when inactive will trigger
the FN input in both states.
You can get around the problem by connecting a
diode in series.
0 - 4.9 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 8.2 - 24 V
Inpout status
Input status vs Input voltage
Active
Inactive
Active
Inactive
Input Voltage
-
+
6
+
-External
Voltage
Source
0 - 24V DC
In
Diode

7 | Page
Connect dry contacts (pushbuttons, standard or momentary switches, relay
contacts, etc.) or 8.2 - 24V DC voltage to trigger (activate) the inputs.
All input circuits are optically isolated to protect the main circuit of the module
against unwanted effects of ground loops, overvoltage or misconnections.
Incorrect voltage (wrong polarity or over 26V) may destroy the input circuits,
voiding the warranty.
To ensure an additional level of safe and reliable operation, the inputs are also
software protected against the effects of noise spikes that usually occur when
heavy inductive loads (motors, fans, etc.) are switched nearby.
Status LED Indicators diagram
In order to make installation and debugging easier, communication and channel
statuses are displayed via LEDs.
Figure 4. The board layout of the FNIP-8x16A.v4 (top section)
Figure 5. The actual picture of the FNIP-8x16A.v4 (top section)
Input & Output status LEDs
Each input/output has a dedicated status LED that illuminates green/red when the
corresponding input/output is activated.
Input power LED
Indicates whether the input power is present.
Communication LEDs
Con LED - green
The Con LED is on when the module is connected to the Ethernet network.
Inputs
1 8
Power
12 –24V DC
Input Main
Input status (green)
Output status (red)
Input
Power
present
Reset
button Com LEDs LAN
Outputs
1 - 4 Outputs 5 - 8

8 | Page
Act LED - yellow
The Act LED indicates that communication via Ethernet is in progress.
St LED - red
The status LED indicates that the boot loader of the module is active. This should
only happen during firmware update.
Please never disconnect power from the module while this LED is on!
If this LED stays on after the firmware update, contact your dealer!

9 | Page
CONFIGURATION
Configuration can be done either via the built-in website or via TCP/IP connection.
In the latter case the configuration interface the third-party controller provides is
used.
Configuration via the web interface
Use the FNIP Network Discovery Utility software to find all FutureNow IP devices
on your network.
Connecting to the module’s web server
After the modules are found you can click on one of them to open its website in a
browser.
You can also access the module’s internal website from an Internet browser using
the host name (FNIP8x16A by default) or the IP address.
By default, each module obtains an IP address from a DHCP server automatically.
If there’s no DHCP server available on the network, 192.168.1.25 will be assigned
to the module. The same IP address will be used when connecting the module
directly to your computer with an Ethernet cross cable.
Authentication
Once connected to the module’s website, you will be asked to identify yourself, as
seen in figure 6.
Figure 6. Authentication Window
The default user name:admin
The default password:futurenow

10 | Page
The default user has administrator rights and offer access to all settings and
functions.
Once logged in, you will automatically be directed to the control page. you can
see the details in the Operation section.
You can use the tabs on the top of the screen to navigate between the different
control and configuration pages.
Network settings
To make basic network settings click the Network tab. The network configuration
page is shown in Figure 6.
You can choose between using DHCP or static IP address here.
Enable HTTP authentication
HTTP authentication can be disabled to make HTTP communication easier for third
party applications.
Enable broadcast messages
FNIP modules periodically send out heartbeat broadcast messages with basic
information about themselves. This helps discovery tools and mobile apps to find
them. These broadcasts can be disabled if constant traffic on the network is not
desirable.
Please note that disabling broadcast messages will disable the Discovery Tool and
the mobile applications from finding the modules on the network.
Multicast address
Used to create groups of FNIP modules that react to scene activation commands
received from a module with the same multicast address.
More information about scenes can be found in the Scenes chapter.

11 | Page
Figure 7. Network Configuration Page
Users and user rights
Three different users can be defined, each with three different user rights: admin,
actor and observer.
Admins have access to all functions, including control of the outputs, monitoring
the status of the inputs and outputs and changing all the settings.
Actors are allowed to control the outputs and monitor the status of the inputs and
the outputs, but are not allowed to change any settings.
Observers are allowed to monitor the status of inputs and outputs but not allowed
to control the outputs, nor can they change any settings.

12 | Page
Figure 8. User Configuration Page

13 | Page
Channel settings
On the Channel page the outputs and inputs can be renamed. Input modes can
also be chosen here. The input mode determines the logical connection between
the input and the output of the given channel. For details on possible input modes
and how they work, see Operation via the local inputs section of this document.
Figure 9. Channel Settings Page

14 | Page
Scenes
Scenes are predefined states of the outputs on the module.
FutureNow Scenes are developed to provide group commands for FutureNow
modules. Any input of any module in the group can trigger any outputs in the same
group of modules.
If a module receives a Scene Activation Command (SAC), the designated outputs
will go to a pre-defined state. SAC can be triggered by an input change on the
same module or on any module in the group.
Each module in the group must have the same Multicast address set on the
Network page. Modules in other groups will not react to the SAC.
Figure 10. Scene setting page

15 | Page
Firmware Upgrade
Figure 11. Firmware upgrade page
Upgrading the firmware in the module is possible via the network.
On the Firmware page click browse and find the new firmware on your PC. The
latest firmware versions are always downloadable from P5’s website. Then click
Upload. The St LED turns on and stays on or blinks during firmware update. After
uploading the new firmware –which takes about a minute –the module will
automatically restart.
The current firmware version and the time since the last reset are also displayed
on this page.
Resetting to factory defaults
Holding the reset button for at least 2 sec while powering up the module will set
all the settings to factory defaults. Make sure you release the button when
the red LED comes on.
Saving the configuration
Adding /config.xml to the end of the IP address of the module in your browser,
e.g. 192.168.x.x/config.xml will display a list of all the configuration parameters.
You can save this xml to help you configure multiple modules identically.

16 | Page
OPERATION
Operation via the local inputs
The inputs can be activated by shorting (or opening) the appropriate input
terminal, or applying 9 –24V voltage.
Input modes
The inputs are factory defaulted to toggle mode and can be changed via the web
interface of the module or by TCP/IP commands. The input modes work as follows.
1. Toggle mode (factory default)
Each short button press toggles the corresponding output
2. Independent inputs
Inputs can be detached from their corresponding outputs, in which case they will
have no effect on them. However, the status changes of the digital inputs will still
be reported via the open TCP/IP sockets and on the Control page of the built-in
website. This can be used for monitoring the status of digital sensors connected to
the inputs or to activate lighting scenes or macros whenever the input gets
triggered.
3. Input follow mode
The status the outputs will follow the state of the corresponding input. The output
will be on while the momentary switch is pressed and off while it is released.
4. Monostable mode
The outputs can be programmed to turn on for an adjustable amount of time when
the corresponding input is triggered (e.g: staircase lighting).
5. Switch mode
This mode makes it possible to use maintained (standard light switches) instead
of momentary switches on the inputs. Each trigger of the switch (On or Off) will

17 | Page
toggle the outputs. Please note that the position of the switch –similarly to three-
way switches –will not determine the status of the output.
6. Scene on open mode
If an input gets opened the scene assigned to the input on the channel
configuration page will be executed.
7. Scene on close mode
If an input gets closed the scene assigned to the input on the channel configuration
page will be executed.
Inverted mode
Detecting input opening can trigger the channel. This could be useful in Toggle,
Monostable and Switch mode, when opening e.g. a storage room door opens the
input circuit.
Operation via the built-in web server
Control page
Once logged in, you will automatically be directed to the control page, where you
can control the outputs directly.
Figure 12. Control Page

18 | Page
Input page:
This page displays the logical status of the inputs.
Figure 13. Input Page
Please note: If an input is inverted, then the logical status is the opposite
of the actual status displayed by the LED.
Operation via TCP
To achieve the easiest integration with most controllers used in home and
commercial applications, the module can be controlled by raw TCP protocol using
simple ASCII based commands.
The TCP/IP communication can be enabled/disabled via the Network settings
screen.
The TCP Communication Protocol Description is available upon request.
Event notifications
Automatic event notifications are sent to clients via the open socket connections
whenever the status of an input or output changes.
Basically, any third-party controller that can implement the FNIP-8x16A’s simple
communication protocol can control the FutureNow FNIP-8x16A. The following
controllers are the most widely used:

19 | Page
•AMX
•Control4
•Crestron
•RTI
•Savant
•Fibaro
•Extron
•Neets
•Home Assistant
Software modules/plug-ins for controllers are either available or P5 will provide full
assistance in creating them.
Besides these special-purpose controllers, there have been many applications for
embedded industrial PC boards, PCs and smartphones running Linux, Windows,
Mac OS.

20 | Page
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Power Requirements
Main Circuit
10.8 –24 VDC
65 - 400mA @ 12V
40 - 200mA @ 24V
Inputs
10.8 –24 VDC
max. 100mA
Input parameters
All these values activate the input circuit
Dry contact closure
< 1k
Voltage trigger
Uin: 0V - 4,9V
Uin: 8,2V –26V
Outputs
Type
8 x SPDT NO, NC, dry contacts
Load
max. 16A@250VAC or 24VDC for resistive
(cos(fi)=1) loads
max. 8A@250VAC or 24VDC for inductive
(cos(fi)=0.4) loads
Inputs
Type
8 x optically isolated, noise protected, common
GND inputs
Communication
Control
TCP (simple ASCII TCP commands)
Build-in web server
Local inputs (Voltage triggered, or dry contact
momentary switches)
Input modes
Toggle, monostable, input follow, independent
iOS/Android app
P5 iOS/Android apps
Interoperability
Drivers available for most systems
Connectors
Input Terminals
1.5mm² screw terminals
Output Terminals
2.5mm² screw terminals
LAN0
RJ45 Ethernet Connector
Environmental
Operating Temperature
0 ⁰C –40 ⁰C (32 ⁰F –104 ⁰F)
Storage Temperature
-20 ⁰C –60 ⁰C (-4 ⁰F –140 ⁰F)