RS232 Controller 8-Channel 3-Amp DPDT Pro Series

Connects to Third Party Devices

RS-232 devices are perhaps versatile and most popular choices because of their ability to adapt to any other communication protocol and devices.  For instance, using 3rd party devices, RS-232 relay controllers can be controlled from GSM modems, Ethernet to Serial Adapters, WiFi to Serial Adapters, USB to Serial Adapters, Bluetooth to Serial Adapters, and Wireless Mesh Network to Serial Adapters.  RS-232 will continue to adapt to all emerging technologies, as the foundation for all communication technologies has provisions for RS-232 communications.  With the DB-9 or direct wire capabilities this controller can connect to third party devices including Crestron almost any way possible.

Mounts as a COM Port

This Pro series controller connects to the RS-232 port of your computer at a baud rate of 9600 and requires a 12VDC Power Supply.  This ProXR series controller connects to the serial port of your computer and will mount on any existing COM port on your PC.  Once powered up, the controller waits for a command.  A command consists of a few bytes of data in numerical format usually between 2 and 6 bytes. 

Onboard DB-9 Connector

This board is equipped with an onboard DB-9 connector installed.  the connector is soldered onto the board and cannor be interchanged with another interface later.  The board itself will require 12 volts of power supplied to the board through a 2.1mm I.D. x 5.5mm O.D. x 9.5mm R/A barrel connector.  you can purchase a "wall wart" type Power Supply at checkout if needed.

Induction Capacitors

Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of relay control is proper handling of inductive loads. Inductive loads can best be defined as anything with a magnetic coil, such as a motor, solenoid, or a transformer.  Controlling a inductive load using this relay controller requires the use of induction suppression capacitors.  The purpose of this capacitor is to absorb the high voltages generated by inductive loads, blocking them from the contacts of the relay.  Without this capacitor, the lifespan of the relay will be greatly reduced.  Induction can be so severe that it electrically interferes with the microprocessor logic of our controllers, causing relay banks to shut themselves down unexpectedly.  In the case of Serial devices, it is not as severe as using a USB port a capacitor is still recommended.  Capacitors that we offer are available at checkout, for more information view our Induction Suppression Video.

Pro Series Controllers

The RS-232 version requires no-more than 25ma to power the microprocessor. Each relay that is activated will impose no more than 80ma additional current draw.  RS-232 versions can draw up to 185ma MAX when both relays are activated.  Actual current may very depending on model, but will not exceed these current requirements. Standard operating voltage is 12VDC.  Voltage should not exceed automotive application voltages (13.8VDC). Low voltages (below 10VDC) may allow CPU to function, but the on-board relays may not activate.

PC Compatible

RS-232 versions are PC compatible with a compatible RS-232 Serial Port, USB to Serial Adapters, and embedded microcontrollers with a TTL/CMOS communication lines.  This device should not be used with Macintosh computers and should not be uses with UART/USART lines of a microprocessor without inversion of output signals.  The integrated RS-232 port requires a serial extension cable, Male to Female, and a 12VDC power supply with a 2.1mm Center Positive Barrel Connector.  Integrated LEDs will light when a relay is activated. The RS-232 series controllers should not be powered without a connection to a data source (relays may randomly activate).

9600 Baud Rate

RS-232 versions operate exclusively at 9600 Baud (8 Data bits, 1 Stop Bit, No Parity, No Flow Control), and include a E3C command set, which allows a single computer to talk to multiple relay controllers.

How does E3C Work?

Each device must be assigned a device number from 0 to 255.  The device number may be programmed using command 255, described below, using our Visual Basic 6 example code, or using our Runtime .EXE programs.  E3C stands for Enabled 3-Wire Communication. Put simply, when you first power up your computer and all the devices attached to the serial port, all devices will respond to your commands.

Using the E3C Command Set

You can specify which devices will listen and which devices will ignore your commands.  E3C commands are never ignored by any device, regardless of the commands you send to the controller.  The number to the left of each command indicates the ASCII character code that must be sent to issue the command.  All commands must be preceded with ASCII character code 254 to place the device in command mode.  Command set is below and more examples and information can be found in the Manual located in the Data Sheets tab above.  Please note this command set is different that the command set used in the ProXR or ProXR Lite boards.

The E3C Command Set

247 Read E3C Device Number:
Reports back the pre-programmed E3C device number of the R2. This command will return a value of 0-255
248 Enable All Devices:
Tells all devices to respond to your commands
249 Disable All Devices:
Tells all devices to ignore your commands
250 Enable a Selected Device:
Tells a specific device to listen to your commands
251 Disable Selected Device:
Tells a specific device to ignore your commands
252 Enable Selected Device Only:
Tells a specific device to listen to your commands, all other devices will ignore your commands
253 Disable a Selected Device Only:
Tells a specific device to ignore your commands, all others will listen
255 Store E3C Device Number:
Programs an E3C device number into the controller. This command requires a parameter (0-255), indicating the device number. DO NOT USE THIS COMMAND WHEN MORE THAN ONE DEVICE IS ATTACHED TO YOUR SERIAL PORT OR ALL DEVICES WILL BE PROGRAMMED WITH THE SAME DEVICE NUMBER

254, 0 - Turn Off Relay 1
254, 1 - Turn On Relay 1
254, 2 - Turn Off Relay 2
254, 3 - Turn On Relay 2
254, 4 - Get Relay 1 Status

Pro Series Samples

Below are samples included in Component Library for the Pro Series RS-232 boards.  These samples are NOT compatible with the ProXR or ProXR Lite Samples.

Download Component Library

Over 40 samples included with this download!  Start by downloading the NCDComponentSetup.zip file and you will be communicating with any NCD device faster that ever!  Download Now

Data Sheets & Quick Start Guides

Below are the Data Sheets Quick Start Guides for this board.  These are the guides that will help you communicate and configure this board.