8-Channel Programmable Potentiometer with Ethernet Interface

Programmable Potentiometer

"Electronic Resistance Control Through Simple Commands"

Digital Potentiomer

Replace manual potentiometer adjustments with software control. NCD's Programmable Digital Potentiometer allows your application to electronically adjust resistance values by simply sending commands from a computer, PLC, microcontroller, or custom software.

Each controller provides 8 independent digital potentiometers with 256 programmable tap positions per channel and is available in 10kΩ, 50kΩ, and 100kΩ versions. Individual channels can be adjusted independently or multiple channels can be updated simultaneously using the same simple command set used throughout the ProXR product family.

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How It Works

Each potentiometer provides three terminals: A, Wiper, and B.

Sending a lower value moves the wiper toward terminal A, decreasing the resistance between A and the wiper while increasing the resistance between the wiper and B.

Sending a higher value moves the wiper toward terminal B, decreasing the resistance between the wiper and B while increasing the resistance between A and the wiper.

The first 32 potentiometer channels can store a programmable startup position, allowing your application to automatically restore critical resistance values after power is applied.

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Software Controlled Resistance

Adjust one potentiometer or every potentiometer with simple serial commands. The POT Command Set provides precise electronic control over resistance values without manual adjustment.

Whether controlling a single channel or a fully expanded system, the command structure remains consistent, making it easy to integrate with custom software, automation systems, PLCs, and NCD Base Station Software.

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Expand as Your Application Grows

Built on NCD's proven ProXR platform, the controller is designed to grow with your application.

The integrated UXP Expansion Port supports expansion up to 256 programmable potentiometers, while the XR Expansion Port allows compatible NCD relay controllers to be added to the same system. This makes it possible to combine programmable resistance control and relay control using a single controller architecture.

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Base Station Compatible

NCD's Base Station Software provides a simple point-and-click interface for learning the command structure, testing communications, and controlling potentiometer outputs without writing software.

It is an excellent development tool for evaluating hardware and generating the commands used in your own applications.

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5-Yeary Warranty & Guarantee

Every potentiometer is covered by:

• 5-Year Functional Warranty
• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

If you're not satisfied, send it back for a refund within 30 days. (Damage caused after delivery isn't covered.)

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Essential Power Requirements

Clean, regulated power is critical.
A stable 12VDC supply ensures both the inputs and onboard firmware operate correctly. Unstable or noisy power can cause improper reading or communication issues.
We recommend the PWR12-US (120VAC → 12VDC @ 1.25A) or our international supply with interchangeable adapters.
Learn More

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Shipping

All boards ship directly from our Missouri facility. Each unit is built and tested at the time of order - please allow 3 - 5 days for production. We ship primarily through UPS, but we're happy to use FedEx or DHL for international orders when you provide your account number. Questions? Call us at 800-960-4287 or email sales@relaypros.com.

Gen3 Ethernet Relay

"The Gen3 module delivers stable TCP/IP communication"

ZPOT8PROXR_ETHERNET - Next-Generation Ethernet Relay Control

Meet the NCD5500 Ethernet-to-Serial Converter, NCD's 3rd-generation Ethernet module designed for exceptional reliability, ease of use, and lower cost. This modular interface brings the entire line of NCD Industrial Devices onto your Ethernet network with plug-and-play simplicity.

Built on NCD's next-generation Ethernet-to-Serial platform, the NCD5500 is customized specifically for NCD controllers to ensure full compatibility across our product families, including ProXR, ProXR Lite, Reactor, and Taralist boards. The module converts TCP/IP data into serial bytes and routes them directly to your controller via standard serial communication.

The NCD5500 works seamlessly with Base Station, making IP discovery and configuration fast and simple.
Default web-page login password: admin (user-changeable).

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Ethernet to Serial Communications Module

The Gen3 module converts TCP packets to serial data (and back again) for smooth, real-time control.

Features include:

• Auto Socket Control - Choose to close the socket after a programmable timeout or keep the connection open
• Connection Status LED - A blue LED indicates an active socket connection
• Flexible Baud Rates - Adjustable from 9600 to 115.2K, using the default TCP port 2101
• Network Options - Supports both Static IP and DHCP
• One-Button Recovery - Restore factory defaults instantly with a simple button press

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DHCP and Static IP Addresses

This module supports both DHCP and Static IP addressing.
For the most reliable remote access, we recommend using a Static IP Address once you are comfortable with the network configuration. This ensures consistent communication and predictable device access.

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TCP/IP Communications

The primary communication method is a standard TCP Socket. This creates a bi-directional connection, allowing your computer or control system to send commands and immediately receive responses through the same socket - fast, robust, and ideal for relay control applications.

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3rd Generation Hardware

The latest hardware represents a major leap forward in reliability, usability, and cost efficiency.

Key improvements include:

• Lower overall cost compared to previous generations
• Enhanced recovery options
• Web-based configuration UI
• Windows utility for discovering devices with unknown IP addresses
• Firmware upgrade support for feature updates and improvements

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Password Protection

Password protection is built in.
Under the management tab, users can assign a password for added security and access control.

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Port Forwarding

To access the module from outside your Local Area Network, Port Forwarding is required.
Your router forwards incoming requests on a specific port (e.g., 2101) to the device's local IP address.

Example:
A router is configured to forward port 2101 to 92.168.2.19:2101. Any external request to port 2101 is automatically routed to the module. Without this rule, the router would not know where to send the request, and the connection would fail.

Note: Port Forwarding is not needed for communication within your LAN.

For step-by-step instructions for virtually any router, visit https://portforward.com/ .

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The XR Expansion Port

"Running out of relays? Just plug in more!"

Add Relays as Your Needs Grow

ProXR Controllers were built with relay expansion in mind. The XR Expansion Port lets you add banks of external relays to any ProXR or Taralist board equipped with an XR Expansion port. Expansion boards can be added at any time as your system grows, up to a maximum of 256 total relays.

As expansion boards are added, additional relay banks become available automatically. Simply add another expansion board whenever you need more relays.

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Relay Banks - How Large Systems Stay Simple

ProXR and ProXR Lite controllers organize relays into groups of eight called banks.

Each bank contains:

• Relay 1 through Relay 8

Expandable ProXR boards can add additional banks using XR expansion boards as your system grows.

For example:

• An 8-relay controller uses one bank
• A 32-relay controller uses four banks
• A 64-relay setup uses eight banks

Instead of creating a different command for every relay in a large system, the ProXR firmware lets you:

• Select a bank
• Send simple relay commands within that bank

This keeps the command structure fast, compact, and easy to manage - from a single-bank ProXR Lite installation to large, multi-bank ProXR expansion systems. From a single 8-relay board to a fully expanded 256-relay system, the command structure does not change.

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Linking XR Expansion Boards Together

XR Expansion Boards include both an XR Input and XR Output connector. Connect the XR Output on your ProXR controller to the XR Input on the first expansion board. To add more relays, connect the XR Output of one expansion board to the XR Input of the next board in the chain.

You can mix and match different relay types on expansion boards to match your application. A 6" expansion cable is included with each expansion board.

For best reliability, keep all expansion cabling as short as possible. Maximum expansion length and total relay count depend on your installation, electrical noise, and overall cable length. For best compatibility, the combined length of the controller, expansion boards, and cables should not exceed 1-2 meters.

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Mix & Match

Expansion boards do not need to match the relay type or amperage of the main controller or other expansion boards. Mix and match expansion boards to get the exact relay types and current ratings your application requires.

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Will Not Operate Independently

This Expansion Board gets it's commands from the main ProXR or Taralist board and will not operate independently.  This board MUST be plugged into a ProXR or Taralist board to operate and will not function on it's own.

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Essential Power Requirements

All XR expansion boards require their own 12 VDC power source. A regulated 12 VDC supply must be connected directly to each expansion board for proper operation.

We offer a compatible wall-plug power supply at checkout, or you may use your own regulated 12 VDC supply. Learn More

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Maximum Relay Rating Notes

ProXR is capable of expanding to an absolute maximum of 256 Relays.  In some cases, it may not be possible to control all 256 relays, particularly in applications where high noise levels may be involved.  Experimentation may be required, as it is not possible for us to guarantee all users will be able to utilize all 256 relays in every application.  Noise tends to accumulate when several expansions are connected together.  For best results, the XR expansion cables must be as short as possible.

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RoHS Compliant

Expansion boards are led free and RoHS Compliant.  If your requirements are for RoHS compliant parts every expansion board is manufactured with RoHS compliant led free parts and solder.

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2-Million Cycles

XR Expansion Boards are designed for long life just as the ProXR boards, you should expect to get years of service from expansion board and literally 2-million cycles from the relays on board.  With a 5-year warranty and a money back guarantee add more relays anytime the need arises!

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Accessories

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.