Troubleshooting Problems with Circuit Selectors

 

Symptom

Troubleshooting Procedure(s)

Fading appears "steppy". Lights will not fade smoothly from one level to another.

Can dim zones, but can’t turn zones OFF.

Keypads control wrong zones.
  • Verify keypad address is proper.
  • Check programming on keypad.
  • Perform a Synchronized Upload.

Modules 7 and 8 do not work.

  • Check to see CS switch on bottom is centered or normal not on Emergency (if display shows ‘ord’ switch is in incorrect position).

Circuit Selector "Data OK" LED is not blinking.
  • Verify Circuit Selector has power.
  • Perform a Synchronized Upload.

Modules don’t work.

Circuit Selector "Data OK" LED is blinking, but Remote Power Module LED is blinking in "Lighthouse" mode (indicating no communications to modules).
  • Verify harness between circuit selector and modules.
  • Check to see CS switch on bottom is centered or normal not on Emergency (if display shows ‘ord’ switch is in incorrect position).
Some Circuit Selectors work, but others do not.
  • Perform a Synchronized Upload.
  • Check MIs and CSs are not on the same link.
  • Check to see CS switch on bottom is centered or normal not on Emergency (if display shows ‘ord’ switch is in incorrect position).
Circuit Selector zones work intermittently.
Can’t control Circuit Selectors zones from keypads.
  • See all steps.
  • Check to see CS switch on bottom is centered or normal not on Emergency (if display shows ‘ord’ switch is in incorrect position).
  • Perform a Synchronized Upload.

 

Troubleshooting Tips when Nothing is Working

  • Start with 1 Circuit Selector on a link. Try to get this to work and then move on to the next. Use the steps below to troubleshoot problems with each Circuit Selector.
  • Type DMON on the Terminal to turn on diagnostic messages. If the processor can not talk to a Circuit Selector a continuous stream of error messages will be displayed.

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1:  Verify Proper Circuit Addressing

Circuit selectors and corresponding circuits are addressed from the Panel Assignment screen as follows:
  • HWI-PNL-8s and/or HWI-PNL-5s with HWI-MIs must be used to simulate the required GP/LP/XP model number being used. Delete the unused modules to make the circuit count match the number of circuits in the panel being used.
  • The maximum number of Circuit Selectors (HWI-MIs) is 15. This is because the Circuit Selector cannot be set to address 0.
  • Each HWI-MI must be addressed on its Properties page. To access the Properties page, double click on the HWI-MI icon. Set the HWI-MI address to the desired Circuit Selector address. Remember, zero is not a valid Circuit Selector address, but is a valid HWI-MI address and will be accepted. Also, addresses A to F are Circuit Selector addresses 10 to 15. If address 0 is accidentally used, all fading in the system will appear "steppy" (lights will not fade smoothly from one level to another).
  • Panel Circuit #’s must be put in the software as module - output numbers as described below:

When assigning zones to module outputs
    1. For GP panels, always select the HW-RPM-4U module
    2. For LP panels, always select the HW-RPM-4U module
    3. For XP panels, always select the HW-RPM-4R module

The translation of circuit number to module – output number is as follows:

Panel Circuit Number = (Module * 4) + (Output – 1)

or in table format:

Panel Circuit #

Corresponding Module - Output

1

1-1

2

1-2

3

1-3

4

1-4

5

2-1

6

2-2

7

2-3

8

2-4

9

3-1

10

3-2

11

3-3

12

3-4

13

4-1

14

4-2

15

4-3

16

4-4

17

5-1

18

5-2

19

5-3

20

5-4

21

6-1

22

6-2

23

6-3

24

6-4
  • If using an LP panel with 8 modules, 2 module links must be used on the Circuit Selector. Module link 1 will go to circuits 1-24. Module link 2 will go to circuits 25 – 32 (which correspond to 2 LP modules). Circuits 25-32 map as follows in the software:

 

Panel Circuit #

Corresponding Module - Output

25

7-1

26

7-2

27

7-3

28

7-4

29

8-1

30

8-2

31

8-3

32

8-4

Important: The LP modules connected to module link 2 must be addressed 1 and 2 in the space (NOT 7 and 8 as in the software).

 

 Step 2:  Verify Link 1 has been Configured to the Proper Circuit Selector Type in the Software

    To configure Link 1 on a processor as a Circuit Selector link, go to the Programming screen. Click on the addressing tab. Double-click on the RPM module icon in the Communication Links area of the window. A selection box will appear. Select Circuit Selector (if your CS has a blue sticker) or Circuit Selector 2 (if your CS has a black sticker).

Step 3:  Verify Proper Loadtypes are Assigned to Circuit Selector Addresses

    Circuit Selectors do not understand MTR and FAN-FSQ loadtypes. If these loadtypes are assigned to a circuit selector the system will react slowly (if at all) to button presses (all lights may take several seconds to change state. Zones with MTR and FAN-FSQ loadtypes will not work at all). Use the Load Schedule report to determine which zones in your system use these loadtypes. Use the Panels and Enclosures Report (Panel Report) to verify that zones with MTR and FAN-FSQ loadtypes are not assigned to panels with circuit selectors.

Step 4:  Verify Revision of Circuit Selector Embedded Code

  • Circuit Selector 1 - All revisions work with HomeWorks Interactive.
  • Circuit Selector 2 - Must have revision level 3-50 or higher. Power the circuit selector off and back on to display the revision level. If the revision displays 3-3, or some version prior to 3-50 it will not work with HomeWorks Interactive. Obtain a replacement.
Step 5:  Verify Programmed OFF is Not Programmed

    In most applications, Programmed OFF is not used. If used incorrectly, it will appear that you can’t switch your lights OFF.

    In the HWI software, Electronic Bypass is mapped to Programmed OFF in the Circuit Selector. If you accidentally program Electronic Bypass to a level other than 0%, you will be affecting the Programmed OFF (there is no Electronic Bypass feature for Circuit Selectors). To verify that Programmed OFF levels are correct, from the Load Schedule screen, click on Override Levels. Verify that Bypass level are all set to 0% or OFF.

    To view/modify the Programmed OFF values:

  • Circuit Selector 1:
  1. If the circuit selector is locked (View Value is blinking), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
  2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 9 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks).
  3. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Using Circuit Schedule" (this corresponds to Programmed OFF Setting). 
  4. The value window should display "0".  If any number appears in the value display, use button 4 to decrease the number until "0" appears in the display.
  5. Use buttons 1 and 2 to view the Programmed OFF Setting for all other circuits.
  6. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
  • Circuit Selector 2:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked ("Lc" is displayed), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 3 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks twice per second).
    3. Within 3 seconds, go to 3rd level menu by pressing buttons 1, 2 and 5 for 9 seconds.
    4. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Circuit Level" (this corresponds to Chicago Setting). "0" in the Value display indicates the circuit will turn OFF when OFF is selected.  Use button 4 to change the value to "0".
    5. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.

Step 6:  Verify Circuit Selectors are Addressed Properly

Circuit Selectors must be addressed to the same setting as in the software. To address circuit selectors:
  • Circuit Selector 1:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked (View Value is blinking), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 9 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks).
    3. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Low End Trim" (this corresponds to Address Setting). Use buttons 3 and 4 to change the address to the proper setting (default address is "-").
    4. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
  • Circuit Selector 2:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked ("Lc" is displayed), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 1st level menu by pressing and holding buttons 1 and 5 for 3 seconds (until Select Value LED turns ON).
    3. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down until the circuit 7-segment display shows "Ad". Use buttons 3 and 4 to change the address to the proper setting (default address is "-").
    4. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
Step 7:  Verify Modules are Addressed Properly

    Module addresses must correspond to the address in the software (1-6) unless using circuits 25-32. LP modules corresponding to circuits 25-32 must be connected to module link 2 on the circuit selector and must be addressed 1 and 2 (NOT 7 and 8 – as they are in the software).

Step 8:  Verify Circuit Selectors are Set to Proper Baud Rate

Circuit selectors must talk to the modules at the "HI 1" baud rate. If the circuit selector is not setup for the right baud rate, the module LEDs will blink once every 7 seconds (lighthouse mode) – and will not respond to any keypad button presses. The baud rate may be checked from the circuit selector as follows:
  • Circuit Selector 1:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked (View Value is blinking), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 9 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks).
    3. Within 3 seconds of step b, go into the 3rd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 1, 2, and 5 (until Select Value LED blinks rapidly).
    4. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Using Zone Capture" (this corresponds to baud rate setting in level 3). Make sure the baud rate is set for "HI". If not set properly, change it to the proper baud rate using buttons 3 and 4.
    5. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
  • Circuit Selector 2:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked ("Lc" is displayed), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 9 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks).
    3. Go into the 3rd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 1, 2, and 5 (until Select Value LED blinks).
    4. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down until the circuit 7-segment display shows "bd". Verify the baud is set for "HI 1". If not set properly, change it to the proper baud rate using buttons 3 and 4.
    5. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
Step 9:  Verify Wiring/Link Terminators

    Link 1 (MI/Circuit Selector Link) must be daisy chained with a maximum cable length of 1,000 ft (305 m). Make sure pins 3 and 4 are not swapped, or open. An LT-1 link terminator is required between pins 3 and 4 at the last Circuit Selector on link 1 when the total cable length exceeds 50’ (15 m). If an LT-1 terminator is applied incorrectly (wired between pins 1 and 2 momentarily) the internal fuse will blow and the terminator will be ineffective. To determine if the terminator has been blown, use a meter to measure the resistance of the LT-1. It should measure ~128 ohms (if blown it will measure open).

Step 10:  Unlocking Circuit Selectors

  • Circuit Selector 1:
    1. Power down the processor the Circuit Selector is connected to (this must remain off or the processor will not allow the CS to be unlocked).
    2. Power down the Circuit Selector.
    3. Hold buttons 3 and 4 on the Circuit Selector and switch the power to the CS back on.
    4. Keep holding buttons 3 and 4 until the View Value LED is lit solid. Now the CS is unlocked.
  • Circuit Selector 2:
    1. Power down the processor the Circuit Selector is connected to (this must remain off or the processor will not allow the CS to be unlocked).
    2. Hold buttons 3 and 4 on the Circuit Selector.
    3. Keep holding buttons 3 and 4 until the View Value LED is lit solid. Now the CS is unlocked.

Step 11:  Verify Chicago Setting is not Programmed

    Chicago Setting assigns a minimum light level for each circuit.  The circuit will never go below this level, even if OFF has been selected.  To view/modify the Programmed OFF values:

  • Circuit Selector 1:
  1. If the circuit selector is locked (View Value is blinking), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
  2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 9 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks).
  3. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Using Zone Capture" (this corresponds to Chicago Setting). 
  4. The value window should display "no" if the Chicago Setting is not used.  If any number appears in the value display, use button 4 to decrease the number until "no" appears in the display.
  5. Use buttons 1 and 2 to view the Chicago Setting for all other circuits.
  6. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.
  • Circuit Selector 2:
    1. If the circuit selector is locked ("Lc" is displayed), you must first unlock the circuit selector – see step 10 Unlocking Circuit Selectors.
    2. Go into the 2nd level menu by pressing and holding buttons 2 and 5 for 3 seconds (until Select Value LED blinks twice per second).
    3. Use button 5 on the CS to navigate down to "Low-End Trim" (this corresponds to Chicago Setting). "0" in the Value display indicates the Chicago Setting is not used.  Use button 4 to change the value to "0".
    4. Exit to View Value mode by holding buttons 1 and 5 until View Value LED turns on.

 

Last Revised 10-29-01

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