ETC Unison Paradigm Repeater Module User Manual

ETC® Setup Guide

Blank module (ERn-BM)

Paradigm station repeater module (P-REP)

Paradigm architectural control processor (P-ACP)

Paradigm station power module (P-SPM)

Paradigm dual station repeater module (P-DREP)

Paradigm station power module (P-SPM)

Paradigm architectural control processor (P-ACP)

Paradigm Repeater Module Installation

The Paradigm station repeater (P-REP) module extends the system station bus length by 1,640
feet (500m) and adds support for up to 30 additional stations.

The Paradigm dual station repeater (P-DREP) module extends the system station bus length 3,280
feet (1,000m) through two separate Echelon segments, supporting 1,640 feet (500m) of additional
LinkPower station wire each, and adds support for up to 30 additional stations.

Both repeater module types may be utilized in the top module slots of the ERn4 rack enclosure.

The following table lists the recommended control wire types used in a typical Unison installation
and the maximum wire runs allowed.

Ethernet

(Cat5 /Belden

1583a)

Purpose

Link Power

(Belden 8471)

DMX

(Belden 9729)

Feet Meter Feet Meter Feet Meter

Total length of control wire
(without repeater module)

Maximum wire length (ERn
to station)

Maximum repeater distance

1640 500 1600 487 328 100

1313 400 1600 487 N/A N/A

1640 500 N/A N/A N/A N/A

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Paradigm Repeater Module Setup Guide Page 1 of 4 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

ETC Setup Guide

Terminate LinkPower (LON®) Control Wiring

Unison control stations communicate with the Paradigm architectural control processor using the
LinkConnect station communication bus from the architectural control processor to the stations.
LinkConnect is based on Echelon
pair of wires (data+, data-).

Throughout this document, LinkConnect is referred to by the protocol it uses, LinkPower.

Termination is available for up to six home runs of LinkPower (LON) data runs utilizing Belden 8471
cable (or approved equal) plus one 14 AWG ESD drain wire when the data cable is not installed in
grounded metal conduit. LinkPower wiring is topology-free and polarity independent, you can install
your LinkPower data runs in any desired combination of bus, star, loop, and home. The total
combined length of LinkPower wire run cannot exceed 1,640 feet (500m), with a maximum distance
of 1,313 feet (400m) between any two un-repeated communicating devices. Without a repeater, no
device may be more than 1,313 feet (400m) away from the architectural control processor.

Standard LON interoperability requires that there should be a maximum of only one repeater
between any two LON devices. This means that only one repeater module, whether a Paradigm
station repeater module (P-REP) or a Paradigm dual station repeater module (P-DREP), may be
used per Paradigm architectural control processor (P-ACP). Each individual topology-free
LonWorks network can have no more than 62 LON stations with a repeater, station power module,
and Paradigm architectural control processor.

®

LonWorks® with LinkPower bidirectional protocol, and uses one

Paradigm Repeater Module

Note:

Note:

Step 1: Pull Belden 8471 (or approved equal) control wiring into the ERn4 enclosure.
Step 2: Strip 3/16” (4.8mm) of insulation from the ends of each wire pair.
Step 3: Remove the LinkPower connector (labeled LON) from the I/O board

All low voltage control cables must run in separate conduit from power wires.

When utilizing a Paradigm station repeater module (P-REP) or Paradigm dual
station repeater module (P-DREP), terminate the affected LON segment(s) and
associated auxiliary power wiring to the top right I/O board in the ERn4 enclosure.

Notice the LinkPower/LON connector is labeled to
indicate that the connector is split between two LON
segments, allowing three station wire home runs per
segment. This is effective only when a Paradigm dual
station repeater module (P-DREP) is used. With the
standard Paradigm station repeater module (P-REP)

B A B A B A B A B A B A

1 2

all six station home runs connect to the single LON
control segment.

Paradigm Repeater Module Setup Guide Page 2 of 4 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

ETC Setup Guide

- + - + - + - + - +

Step 4: Loosen the terminal screws for the wire pairs you are terminating.
Step 5: Insert each white (typical) wire from the pairs into a “A” terminal on the connector and

tighten the screw(s) firmly to secure the wire into the terminal.

Step 6: Insert each black (typical) wire from the pairs into a “B” terminal on the connector and

tighten the screw firmly to secure the wire into the terminal.

Step 7: The 14 AWG ground wire can terminate to the ground bus located inside the ERn

enclosure.

Step 8: Replace the connector on the top I/O board.

Terminate Auxiliary Power

Auxiliary power is required when you are installing powered Unison control stations. ETC
recommends using two 16 AWG stranded wires for 24 Vdc auxiliary power to the control station(s).
Auxiliary power is topology-free. Maximum auxiliary voltage runs are dependant by the wire gauge
and the distribution of auxiliary load determined by each installation. The auxiliary supply is capable
of providing 36W (1.5A at 24Vdc).

The auxiliary power connector (labeled Aux Power)
provides termination for up to 20 wires in the ten position
pluggable connector. Each terminal allows up to two 16
AWG wire and provides 24 Vdc power to Unison control
stations when used with the Paradigm ACP.

Paradigm Repeater Module

Note:

Step 1: Pull auxiliary control power wiring (typically 16 AWG red / black wire pair) into the

Step 2: Strip 3/16” (4.8mm) of insulation from the ends of each wire pair.
Step 3: Remove the auxiliary power connector from the I/O board.
Step 4: Loosen the terminal screws for the auxiliary wire pairs you are terminating.
Step 5: Insert the black (typical) auxiliary power wire from the pair into a “-” terminal on the

Step 6: Insert the red (typical) auxiliary power wire from the pair into a “+” terminal on the

Step 7: Replace the connector on the I/O board.

When utilizing a Paradigm station repeater module (P-REP) or Paradigm dual
station repeater module (P-DREP), terminate the affected LON segment(s) and
associated auxiliary power wiring to the top right I/O board in the ERn4 enclosure.

ERn4 enclosure.

connector and tighten the screw(s) to secure the wire into the terminal.

connectors and tighten the screw(s) to secure the wire into the terminal.

Paradigm Repeater Module Setup Guide Page 3 of 4 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.

ETC Setup Guide

Status Indicators

When power is applied to the ERn enclosure, the Paradigm repeater module LEDs located on the
front panel illuminate, indicating the status of the auxiliary power, LinkPower control network, and
connected stations.

The Aux Power and LinkPower LEDs indicate in green when the Paradigm station power module is
connected properly and auxiliary power and LinkPower are present. When there is an unbalance in
LinkPower the fault indicators illuminate. This condition typically means that the station wiring has
a fault, however it could mean a connected device is having an issue. A qualified technician should
inspect the system wire and terminations first, then proceed to disconnecting devices to pinpoint
the fault and correct it. The power supply will update the fault indicators automatically when the fault
condition is cleared.

• If the NET A line has a fault (is shorted or has leakage to ground), the Fault + LED lights.

• If the NET B line has a fault (is shorted or has leakage to ground), the Fault - LED lights.

• If neither fault LED is illuminated the data connections are properly installed and the stations
are receiving the data and power required for operation.

Paradigm Repeater Module

Paradigm Repeater Module Setup Guide Page 4 of 4 Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.