AXlink Wiring
Considerations
instruction manual
Axcess Central Controllers
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
AXlink Wiring Considerations .................................................................................1
The AXlink Protocol........................................................................................................... 1
AXlink Electrical and Timing Characteristics ..................................................................... 2
Cable Types and Maximum Distances.............................................................................. 2
Pre-manufactured AXlink cable................................................................................................ 2
Power Distribution ............................................................................................................. 3
Calculating AXlink wiring distances.......................................................................................... 3
Liberty Cable & Wire Inc. cables .............................................................................................. 4
Belden 8102-compliant cables ................................................................................................. 4
Category 5-compliant cables.................................................................................................... 4
Using Ground Shielding ........................................................................................................... 5
Xlink Wiring Considerations
i
Table of Contents
ii
AXlink Wiring Considerations
AXlink Wiring Considerations
This document describes AXlink, wiring topologies, electrical timing and characteristics,
compatible cable types, wiring distance calculations, and wiring diagram examples. AXlink is a
proprietary communication protocol designed by AMX to control up to 255 devices with a Central
Controller using common copper conductors.
The AXlink Protocol
The AXlink communication protocol supports multiple wiring topologies, including star, daisy-
chain, home run, or any combination. AXlink devices are electrically wired in parallel and require a
minimum of three conductors for signal/power ground, AXM, and AXP. An optional fourth
conductor can be used for 12 VDC power distribution. The AXM and AXP AXlink data signals are
differential and require one pair of twisted conductors.
The wiring distances for the AXB-MPE Master Port Expander and AXB-SPE Slave Port Expander
devices are calculated on a per-port basis. The ports on the AXB-MPE and AXB-SPE devices are
isolated and electrically independent with respect to each other.
AXlink Wiring Considerations
The wiring distance specifications describe the total wiring distance between external devices and
the Central Controller. For example, FIG. 1 shows a star wiring topology, and the total wiring
length is 1,200 feet (200 + 300 + 300 + 400 = 1200).
FIG. 1 Star wiring topology example
AXlink Wiring Considerations
1
AXlink Wiring Considerations
AXlink Electrical and Timing Characteristics
FIG. 2 shows the electrical and timing characteristics of AXlink. The table below describes each
characteristic.
FIG. 2 AXlink electrical and timing characteristics
Electrical timing characteristics
Parameter Description Min. Typical Max. Units
Trise Rise time for AXM and AXP 0 20.0 µS
Tfall Fall time for AXM and AXP 0 20.0 µS
Vhigh AXM and AXP voltage with respect to AXlink ground 4.6 5.1 V
Vlow AXM and AXP voltage with respect to AXlink ground -0.7 0.4 V
Vdiff Voltage difference between AXM and AXP 1.0 4.2 5.0 V
Capacitance Total capacitance of AXlink bus wiring 37,500 pF
Cable Types and Maximum Distances
Compatible AXlink cable types include those manufactured by Liberty Wire & Cable Inc., and
cables that comply with Category 5 or Belden 8102 standards. To determine the maximum
distances, refer toPower Distribution section on page 3.
Pre-manufactured AXlink cable
The Liberty Wire & Cable Inc. manufactures AXlink cable that contains two pairs of conductors.
The data pairs comprise 22 AWG stranded shielded twisted pair (STP) with a single drain wire, and
a 12 VDC power pair of 18 AWG stranded wire. The nominal capacitance between the data
conductors is 12.5 pF/ft.
Using the Liberty Wire & Cable Inc. AXlink cable, the maximum overall cable distance between
the Central Controller and all external devices for data communication is 3,000 feet with no remote
power.
You can contact Liberty Wire & Cable Inc. at 4630 Forge Road, Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO
80907 or by calling (800) 530-8998.
2
AXlink Wiring Considerations
AXlink Wiring Considerations
Power Distribution
The following table lists the maximum cable lengths by electrical current and wire gauges (AWG).
These distances are based on a min. of 13.5 volts available at the Central Controller's power supply.
Maximum AXlink current and cable lengths by wire AWG
Maximum Current Cable length by wire AWG
Milliampere (mA) 18 AWG 20 AWG 22 AWG 24 AWG
50 2,347 1,485 926 584
100 1,174 743 463 292
250 469 297 185 117
500 235 149 93 58
1,000 117 74 46 29
Calculating AXlink wiring distances
All AXlink devices require a minimum of 12 VDC power to operate properly. The power can be
supplied by the Central Controller's AXlink cable (remote power configuration) or with an optional
12 VDC power supply (local power configuration). The maximum wiring distance between the
power supply and AXlink device is determined by power consumption, supplied voltage, and the
wire gauge used for the cable. Use the three-step formula below to calculate the maximum wiring
lengths allowable between the Central Controller and external AXlink devices.
Most power supplies are factory set to 13.5 VDC. Never use a power supply that exceeds 18 VDC
for remote or local power configurations. Contact AMX for a complete list of products and their
power consumption ratings.
To calculate the AXlink wiring distance formula for data and power:
1. <Total current consumption of all device's on AXlink cable> *<wire resistance per foot> *
2 = <voltage drop per foot>. See tables below for the Wire Resistance/Foot values.
2. <Power supply voltage> - 12 VDC = <surplus voltage dissipation for cable run>.
3. <Surplus voltage dissipation for cable run> / < voltage drop per foot > =
Maximum distance in feet.
The following table lists the resistance factors used in the formula.
Gauge/resistance factors - Solid Copper Wiring
Wire gauge Wire Resistance/foot
18 AWG .00639
20 AWG .0101
22 AWG .0162
24 AWG .0257
Gauge/resistance factors - Stranded Copper Wiring
Wire gauge Wire Resistance/foot
18 AWG .00692
20 AWG .01090
22 AWG .01690
24 AWG .02770
AXlink Wiring Considerations
3
AXlink Wiring Considerations
Liberty Cable & Wire Inc. cables
FIG. 3 shows a wiring diagram for AXlink cables manufactured by Liberty Cable & Wire Inc. The
PWR connection shown in the diagram is only used when supplying 12 VDC via the AXlink cable.
The PWR connection should not be used when a local power supply is connected directly to the
external AXlink device.
FIG. 3 Standard AXlink power/data wiring diagram
Belden 8102-compliant cables
Belden 8102-compliant cable contains two single twisted pairs (STP) of 24 AWG with a single
drain wire. The nominal capacitance between conductors is 12.5 pF/ft. Using Belden 8102-
compliant cable for AXlink data communication, the maximum overall cable distance between the
Central Controller and all external devices is 3,000 feet with no remote power.
FIG. 4 shows a wiring diagram for the AMX-approved Belden 8102 AXlink cable. The PWR
connection shown in the wiring diagram is only used when supplying 12 VDC via the AXlink
cable. The PWR connection should not be used when a local power supply is connected directly to
the external AXlink device.
FIG. 4 Belden 8102 wiring diagram
Category 5-compliant cables
Category 5 cable contains four unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) of 24 AWG solid wire. The nominal
capacitance between conductors is 15.0 pF/ft. Using Category 5-compliant cable for AXlink data
communication, the maximum overall distance between the Central Controller and all external
devices is 1,000 feet. If the installation site's wiring conforms to EIA/TIA 568 Category 3
standards, AXlink data communication will function properly. However, power (PWR) cannot be
used with EIA/TIA 568-Category 3 standard cable because of connector types and punch blocks.
FIG. 5 shows a wiring diagram for Category 5-compliant cable used for AXlink data
communication. The PWR connection shown in the wiring diagram is only used when supplying 12
VDC via the AXlink cable. The PWR connection should not be used for EIA/TIA 568 cable
installations.
4
AXlink Wiring Considerations
AXlink Wiring Considerations
FIG. 5 Category 5 wiring diagram (with PWR connection)
If a local power supply is used, the free GND wire of the GND pair should be connected as shown
in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 Category 5 wiring diagram (without PWR connection)
Using Ground Shielding
Under normal circumstances ground shielding should not be necessary. Only use ground shielding
when experiencing noise in the line. The shield connection should only be tied on one end - the
Master side.
Tying both ends can result in a ground loop. Tie the ground shield connection to the Master side
only.
AXlink Wiring Considerations
5
AMX reserves the right to alter specifications without notice at any time.
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052-004-1729 9/05
In Canada doing business as Panja Inc.
Last Revision: 9/28/05
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