p5 FutureNow FNIP-8x16A User manual

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OVERVIEW
The FNIP-8x16A is an eight channel relay module used for switching any type of
load that doesn’t exceed the specifications. Via its built-in web site and TCP/IP
communication, the outputs and inputs can be controlled and monitored from
standard network capable devices such as computers, smartphones, web-tablets,
etc. either locally or via the network.
The module can be used independently or as part of a complex control system in
residential and commercial installations.
In addition to the outputs, the FNIP-8x16A also provides local inputs for manual
control, which gives the customer the ability of using the system even before a
central controller is installed or the network is built, offering stand-alone operation.
This also improves reliability since the operation of the relays via the inputs do not
any other device.
The manual inputs are usually connected to momentary or standard wall switches
and work similarly to traditional light switches.
The inputs can also be used as independent digital inputs, for example to monitor
the status of different contact sensors or if connected to a programmed output of
a security system, its status (armed/disarmed/in alarm) can be determined
remotely.

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Main features
Robust Operation
8 x 230V/16A SPDT general purpose dry contact relay outputs each with
both NO and NC contacts
8 x galvanically isolated multi-purpose inputs for manual control or for
connecting digital sensors
Ultimate Flexibility
Monostable switching
Standard DIN rail mount
Easy control via the built-in web server
Operation without a controller or network connection, via local inputs
Digital inputs can also be used to monitor door/window contacts, motion,
water leakage and any other sensor type
Pre-defined scenes to control multiple outputs at once
Enhanced Connectivity
TCP/IP interface offers remote control and advanced management
Built-in web server for configuration, control and monitoring
Control and monitoring via local computer network
Android and iOS applications are also available.
TCP communication with simple ASCII commands
Automatic event reports of status changes of inputs and outputs
Firmware upgrade via LAN
Industry-Wide Interoperability
Full Integration with home controllers from most major manufacturers
(Control4, AMX etc.)
Compatibility with any momentary contact switch

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Table of Content
INSTALLATION.................................................................................................................................................... 5
Terminal connections.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Wiring................................................................................................................................................................. 7
Outputs................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Local Inputs ........................................................................................................................................................ 8
Status LED Indicators ..................................................................................................................................... 9
CONFIGURATION.............................................................................................................................................. 12
Configuration via the web interface.................................................................................................................. 12
Network settings ............................................................................................................................................... 13
Users and user rights......................................................................................................................................... 14
Channel settings................................................................................................................................................ 16
Scenes ............................................................................................................................................................... 17
Firmware Upgrade ............................................................................................................................................ 18
Resetting to factory defaults.............................................................................................................................. 18
OPERATION........................................................................................................................................................ 19
Operation via the local inputs ........................................................................................................................... 19
Input modes................................................................................................................................................... 19
Operation via the built-in web server................................................................................................................ 20
Control page.................................................................................................................................................. 20
Input page: .................................................................................................................................................... 21
Operation via TCP ............................................................................................................................................ 21
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................................................... 23

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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 are listed in Table 1.
1 12 15 26
27 46
Figure 2. FNIP-8x16A front view with terminal connectors

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No.
Description
No.
Description
1.
Output 1 N.O.
27.
Inputs Common
2.
Output 1 C.
28.
Input 1
3.
Output 1 N.C.
29.
Inputs Common
4.
Output 2 N.O.
30.
Input 2
5.
Output 2 C.
31.
Inputs Common
6.
Output 2 N.C.
32.
Input 3
7.
Output 3 N.O.
33.
Inputs Common
8.
Output 3 C.
34.
Input 4
9.
Output 3 N.C.
35.
Inputs Common
10.
Output 4 N.O.
36.
Input 5
11.
Output 4 C.
37.
Inputs Common
12.
Output 4 N.C.
38.
Input 6
13.
-
39.
Inputs Common
14.
-
40.
Input 7
15.
Output 5 N.O.
41.
Inputs Common
16.
Output 5 C.
42.
Input 8
17.
Output 5 N.C.
43.
Power for the Inputs GND
18.
Output 6 N.O.
44.
Power for the Inputs +9V –36V DC
19.
Output 6 C.
45.
Power for the Main Circuit GND
20.
Output 6 N.C.
46.
Power for the Main Circuit +10.8V –36V DC
21.
Output 7 N.O.
47.
-
22.
Output 7 C.
48.
-
23.
Output 7 N.C.
49.
-
24.
Output 8 N.O.
50.
-
25.
Output 8 C.
51.
-
26
Output 8 N.C.
52
-
Table 1: FNIP-8x16A terminal connectors

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Wiring
A typical wiring diagram is shown in figure 3.
Figure 3. 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 outputs and see if the inputs are
working properly.
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 or high voltage cable. The inputs use low voltage signals.

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All wires used and the way they are run must be in accordance with the local
electrical codes.
Keep mains/line voltage wiring physically separated from Ethernet and
signal wiring.
Power requirements
The module must be powered through terminals 45 and 46 by 10.8V - 36V DC.
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 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.
Ethernet connection
Connect the module to the LAN via the RJ45 Ethernet socket.
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.
Use the outputs the exact same way as if they were mechanical contact
switches.
The outputs can be used everywhere where mechanical switches are used, simply
by connecting the output in series, the same way the switch is.
Local Inputs
For each output, there is a local input to allow for manual operation. If you do not
wish to use local inputs, this section may be skipped.

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Connect dry contacts (pushbuttons, standard or momentary switches, relay
contacts, etc.) or open collector transistor outputs across the appropriate input
terminals and the input common terminal.
WARNING! Avoid supplying external voltage to these terminals!
All input ports are optically isolated to protect the module against unwanted effects
of ground loops, overvoltage or misconnections.
It should be noted that the galvanic isolation is only effective when an independent
power supply is used for powering the inputs. See section “Power Requirements”
if you don’t want to use two separate power supply units.
To assure 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. In most systems
lacking this level of protection, these spikes may result in unwanted operation.
Three-way switches can be implemented by simply connecting multiple
momentary switches in parallel.
Status LED Indicators
In order to make installation and debugging easier, communication and channel
status are displayed via LEDs.
Use the board layout drawing in Figure 4. to locate the status LEDs.

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Figure 4. The board layout of the FNIP-8x16A
Output status LEDs
Each output has a dedicated status LED that illuminates solid red when the
corresponding output is on.
Input status LEDs
Each input has a dedicated status LED that illuminates solid green when the
corresponding input 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.
Act LED - yellow
The Act LED indicates that communication via Ethernet is in progress.

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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 5.
Figure 5. Authentication Window

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The default user name:admin
The default password:futurenow
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 stop 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.

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Figure 6. 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.

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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 same channel. For details on possible input modes
and how they work, see Operation via the local inputs section of this document.
Figure 8. Channel Settings Page

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Scenes
Scenes are predefined states of the outputs on the module.
FNIP scenes can be used in standalone applications without any third-party
controller. FNIP modules (module groups) support 9 scenes.
If a module receives a Scene Activation Command (SAC), the designated outputs
will go to a pre-defined state. Any module in the group can send and receive this
command. 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.
Definition of the scenes can be done on the Scene setting page
using the following steps:
1. Select a scene using the Scene no scroll-down selection box
2. Define the action of the desired outputs by ticking the desired option
3. Save the setting
Figure 9. Scene setting page

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Firmware Upgrade
Figure 10. 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. Please make sure you release the button
when the red LED comes on or the unit will go into re-flash mode.

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OPERATION
Operation via the local inputs
The inputs can be activated by shorting (or opening) the appropriate input terminal
to the input common terminal.
Input modes
The inputs are factory defaulted to toggle mode and can be changed via the web
interface of the dimmer 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

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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.
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 11. Control Page
Table of contents