GE DEH40206 User Manual

ProSys™ Softwired Switches, 1-, 2-, 4- and 8-button

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

GE Total Lighting Control

ProSys Lighting Control System
Catalog Number RSxPS-x

RS1SWS-x RS2SWS-x

RS8PS-xRS4PS-x

DESCRIPTION

The ProSys Lighting Control System is a small network of
relay panels and occupant control switches linked by a 4-wire
dataline. Together, these devices form a reconfigurable
switching platform — one that uses “softwiring” instead of
hardwiring to link occupant switches to relays.

There are four basic configurations of SWS (or dataline
switches): the single-gang, 1-, 2- and 4-button RS1PS-x,
RS2PS-x and RS4PS-x, respectively, and the two-gang,
8-button RS8PS-x.

Each switch includes a bi-color LED status light for each control
button and a locator light. In addition, the 2-, 4- and 8-button
units have directories which accept standard
labels. The x suffix in the catalog number refers to button and
switchplate color: 2 = ivory, 4 = almond, 7 = white and 9 = grey.

ProSys softwired switches are available with a key-

These instructions do not cover all details or variations in equipment nor do they provide for every possible contingency that may be met in connection with
installation, operation or maintenance. Should further information be desired or should particular problems arise that are not covered for the purchaser's purposes,
the matter should be referred to the GE Company.

3

⁄8" wide (9mm)

enabled override function. The switch will be disabled
except when a key is used to activate a 5 minute
override period. Dip switch 4 must be in the off position
to enable this feature as shown on page 8. Order this
feature by adding a -K to the part number for the 1- 2-,
4-, and 8-button switch. For example: RS2PSxK.

Any button on a Softwire Switch may be softwired to:

• Any relay or group of relays within a single relay panel

• A channel within a single relay panel

• The same channel among multiple panels (requires an
RCLK8PS Softwired Clock, which also operates as a
handheld programmer)

Before starting, read the following installation
instructions. If you have questions, call GE Total
Lighting Control Service at:

1-877-584-2685 (LTG-CNTL) in the USA and Canada.

1

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

If you have purchased the ProSys Lighting Control System (the
stand-alone system), the devices (panels, switches and clock)
will be in self-install mode. This means that as soon as they
are connected to the network, they are operational and can
communicate with each other.

If you have purchased the ProSys LM Lighting Control System
along with the ProSys LM software, the devices will be in
software-install mode. This means that you must use your
network management tool to:

¥

assign network addresses to the devices and

¥

bind network variables and message tags.

Addresses and binding are necessary for the devices to
function on the network. ProSys LM users please refer to the
ProSys LM Software User Guide for instructions on installng
devices.

This instruction sheet will show you how to:

1. Install and Test a Local Dataline

2. Install and Test Dataline Switches

3. Softwire a Dataline Switch to Control a Group of Relays or
a Channel within a Single Panel

4. Document the Softwiring

LOCAL DATALINE INSTALLATION

The dataline connects relay panels, softwired switches and
optional control modules. Within the 4-wire dataline are two
twisted pairs: the red and black wires, carrying data; and the
blue and white wires, providing power to the dataline switches.

For simplicity, we refer to a 4-wire dataline running between
a relay panel and the dataline switches as a “Local Dataline”.
The relay panel provides the low-voltage power to all of the
dataline switches on its local dataline.

Note: To ensure good communications between panels,
the installer must comply with the dataline specification.
GE will not warrant a system using a dataline that does
not meet our specification. To avoid questions, use
GE RLONWIRE-4P (plenum rated). Do not run the
dataline in conduit or wiring trays with power wires.
Do not connect the local datalines from two different
panels.

GE RLONWIRE-4P Dataline Wire Specifications

• #18 AWG (7 strands x 26 AWG)

• 2 independent twisted pairs – black/red, blue/white

• Unshielded copper conductors

• 2 inch twist lay on pairs, 6 inch twist lay on cable

• Plenum-rated copolymer jacket, 0.230" O.D.

• FEP 0.010" insulation, 0.060" O.D.

• 30 pF/foot maximum capacitance

• -20°C to 150°C operating temperature range

• 17 lbs. per 500 foot reel

• UL rated

2

DATALINE SWITCH INSTALLATION AND TESTING

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

The 1-, 2- and 4-button dataline switches mount in standard
single-gang switch boxes. The 8-button unit mounts in a
standard 2-gang box. The dataline is typically connected in a
“daisy-chain” from switch to switch, eliminating expensive
home runs. To assure proper operation, you must have a
good dataline which:

1. Provides 24 VAC power to each switch

2. Has a low resistance connection of the red and black wires
between all switches and the relay panel

3. Has no short of the red and/or black to ground

24 VAC Power

The power supply in the relay panel must be on. To test

for 24 VAC power at each switch, press the softwire tab after
you have connected the dataline but before mounting the
switch in the electrical box. The red LEDs for each button
should flash.

Low-Resistance Red/Black Data Path

After wiring the last switch on the local dataline, disconnect
the red and black wires from the Local Dataline terminals in
the relay panel and wire nut them together. Then measure the
resistance between the red and black terminals on the last
switch. It should be less than 3 ohms. If it is higher, work
backwards toward the relay panel, checking the resistance at
each switch to find the bad connection. When finished,
reconnect the Local Dataline at the panel.

Shorted Dataline

After the dataline resistance test checks out, you can easily
test for a shorted dataline by measuring the resistance from
red to white, then black to white anywhere on the dataline.
You should see an open circuit. If there is a short, start at the
last switch and work backwards as above to locate it.

Self Installation and Unconfiguring

When the switch is first connected to a panel it is automati­cally issued a network address—it is configured. If you are
moving a switch to another network you must first
unconfigure it to delete its network address. (A configured
switch could have the same address as a node on another
network.)

To unconfigure a switch, first make sure that the fourth DIP
switch is in the ON position. Leave the power line on but
disconnect the dataline. (Disconnecting the dataline prevents
the panel from configuring the switch again.) Hold down the
softwire tab for at least 10 seconds. At 10 seconds the locator
LED will turn off indicating that the switch is unconfigured.

3

NUMBER AND DOCUMENT DATALINE SWITCHES

As shown in Figure 1 below, dataline switches are numbered
sequentially beginning with 01-01 (Panel 01-Switch 01). A
single switch unit may have 1, 2, 4 or 8 buttons. Switch units
should be identified on the reflected ceiling plan showing the
number of buttons in each location. Check to confirm that the
correct switch unit has been installed at each location.

Figure 1

RELAY
PANEL

01

PANELS
NUMBERED
SEQUENTIALLY
BEGINNING
AT 01

SWITCH
BUTTONS
(#1 AT TOP)

MAXIMUM TOTAL NUMBER OF RELAY PANELS AND DATALINE SWITCHES IS 64

DATALINE
18/4 AWG
1500 FT. MAX.
GE RLONWIRE-4P

01-01 01-02

A separate ProSys SWITCH DOCUMENTATION form
should be used for each relay panel to record the number of
the switch and its number of buttons. Allow one line for each
button as shown on the form in Figure 2 below. For example,
switch 01-01 has four buttons. The form should list all buttons
on each switch, even if you are not using all of them.

RELAY
PANEL

RELAY
PANEL

02 xx

02-01 02-02

01-03 01-04

DATALINE SWITCHES FOR EACH PANEL
NUMBERED SEQUENTIALLY (PANEL #-SWITCH #)

Any switch button may be softwired to control a single relay
or a group of relays within any single panel (see next page for
softwiring a dataline switch). For example, assume that you
want the top two buttons of a 4-button switch to control open
office areas associated with relays in Panel 01, while the

Figure 2

DATALINE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION

PANEL #

01

SWITCH # BUTTON RELAYS CONTROLLED DESCRIPTION

(8

MAX

.)

-01 1 -01, -02 OFFICE - NW
" 2 -03, -04 OFFICE - NE
" 3 SPARE
" 4 "

-02 1 -15, -16 HALLWAYS NORTH
" 2 -17, -18 HALLWAYS SOUTH

third button controls common areas (rest rooms and hallways)
in Panel 02. The form below shows how to record this intent
and also shows the labeling for each switch button. Finally,
write the switch number on the label in the lower right corner
of the switch base (see Figure 4 on page 5).

1

2

SOFTWIRING A DATALINE SWITCH TO A GROUP OF RELAYS

Dataline switches are typically wired to a single relay or
group of relays within a panel (See Figure 3, right). Wiring to
a channel is a shortcut — it provides a simple way of
manually overriding all of the relays which are grouped to an
automation channel (A-H) within a panel.

Patterns or Scenes

Any dataline switch may be configured as either an
ON/OFF Group Switch or a Pattern Switch. The
Patterns mode allows the group of relays to be forced
to a combination of ON/OFF states to provide a
lighting scene or pattern. For consistency of
operation, do not mix Group and Pattern buttons on
the same switch unit. For more information on
Patterns, refer to SPECIAL FUNCTIONS on page 7.

Softwiring a Dataline Switch in Patterns mode is similar to
that described in Figure 3, with one additional step:

1. Press the SOFTWIRE tab.

2. Press the switch button.

3. Press the PATTERNS button in the relay panel (pictured
above).

4. Select the relays to be controlled. This time, pressing the
relay control button will toggle the relay’s LED from red to
green to off before toggling back to red again.
Select relays as follows:
LED Red: Relay in the group and ON (turns ON when the
button is pressed)
LED Green: Relay in the group but OFF (forced OFF when
the button is pressed)
LED OFF: Relay not in the controlled group

5. Press the SOFTWIRE tab again.

Figure 3 – Softwiring a Dataline Switch

With the wallplate removed and the switch’s master
button flipped open…

1 Press the SOFTWIRE tab. The LED next to the

tab will turn on, then the individual button LEDs
will start flashing.

2 Press the switch button you want to softwire

(Master Button on an RS1PS-x). The LED for

that button will continue to flash; LEDs for the
other buttons will stop flashing. LEDs for the relays
currently controlled by that switch button will also
begin to flash.

3 Select the relays to be controlled. In the relay

panel, press the associated relay control button to
add/delete that relay to/from the group.*

4 Press the SOFTWIRE tab again. All LEDs will

stop flashing. The selected switch button will now
control the selected group of relays.
Test. Press the selected switch button again to
toggle the relay group ON/OFF/ON. Now press
each relay control button to turn the relay OFF. The
switch button LED will go from red (all relays ON)
to green (mixed group) to off when the last relay in
the group is turned OFF.

* To softwire a dataline switch to a channel, press the channel

button instead of the relay control button.

SWITCH BUTTONS
ALL LEDS

BEGIN FLASHING

SOFTWIRE TAB

3

LED
TURNS
ON

FLASHING
LED
RELAY

CONTROL
BUTTON

SELECTED

LED

CONTINUES

TO

FLASH

OTHER

LEDS
STOP

FLASHING

4

LED
TURNS
OFF

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

SWITCH BUTTON LABELING

The individual switch buttons provide space for 3⁄8" wide x 11⁄16"
long (9mm x 30mm) label directories. The directory labels can
be attached simply by removing the clear lenses, positioning
the labels and replacing the lenses as shown at right.

If desired, the buttons may be completely removed from the
base plate and labeled separately. You may find this method
easier to achieve better alignment of the labels.

To remove a button from a 1-, 2- or 4-button switch, open it
out from the base until it is at a 90° angle, then gently rotate
it up or down until it snaps free of the hinge bracket. To
replace the button, press the hinge pin into the hinge bracket
until it snaps in place, then close the button into position.

Removing buttons from an 8-button switch is slightly
different. With your fingernail or small screwdriver, pry the
hinge end of the button free from the hinge bracket. Lift the
button out, twisting it slightly, if necessary, to free the small
hook holding the center edge of the button in place. To replace
the button, position the small center hook in place and press
the hinge pin into the hinge bracket until it snaps in place.

Remove/Replace Screwless Wallplate

To remove the screwless cover plate, press in the black tab at
the bottom edge of the plate and lift the plate up and off. To
replace the cover plate, place the hang bar at the top of the
plate onto the hang hook at the top of the switch base and
snap the bottom in place until it clicks as shown in Figure 4.

Record Switch Reference Numbers

The switch’s reference number (Panel #-Switch #) should be
written on the small label placed in the lower right hand
corner of the switch base, so that it is visible when the cover
is removed.

The relays or channel associated with each button of the switch
are recorded on the DATALINE SWITCH DOCUMENTA-
TION form supplied with the relay panel. The completed form
should be stored in the cover of the relay panel that is
connected to this local dataline.

Figure 4 – Dataline Switch Numbering

Panel#

01

Switch#

02

6

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS

ProSys is designed to provide flexibility without compromising
simplicity in installation and operation. The Special Functions
described here may be used to enhance the operation of your
system, but they are not required in most installations.

Patterns

A Pattern is a combination of ONs and OFFs for a group of
relays which creates a scene. Any button on a dataline switch
may be softwired to create such a scene.

Simplifying Rule: If any button of a switch unit is softwired as
a Pattern, ALL of the buttons on that switch unit should be
softwired as Patterns.

When the relay pattern for a switch button is “true”, the LED
for that button will be ON RED. If “not true” the LED will be OFF.

Example – An office with four 3-lamp fluorescent
fixtures and six wall wash units (see Figure 5):

We want the local switch to provide
fluorescents, and separate control of the wall-wash units. The
form below in Figure 7 shows how the four buttons on a
quad switch would be softwired to create this switching
function. All of the buttons are wired as Patterns.

1

⁄3, 2⁄3 and Full On for the

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

Figure 5

01-01

01-02

01-03

Figure 6

1

⁄3 Lighting plus wall wash

Reviewing the LED operation shows why this is important
(see Figure 6). When the occupant toggles the top button ON,
relay 01-01 will turn ON and relay 01-02 will turn OFF to give

1

⁄3 lighting. The LED for 1⁄3 will turn on red. Pressing the second

button causes the relay states to reverse, giving

1

The

⁄3 button LED turns off (since its pattern is no longer

“true”) and the

button turns ON both relays giving full lighting, the
turns off, the Full LED turns on. Everything is as it should be.

If, on the other hand, we had softwired the third button as a
standard ON/OFF group, we would have seen an odd response.
Whenever, buttons 1 or 2 were turned on, the third button LED
would be on green, showing a mixed state for its relays.

Figure 7

2

⁄3 LED turns on. Similarly, pressing the Full On

DATALINE SWITCH DOCUMENTATION

PANEL #

2

⁄3 lighting.

2

⁄3 LED

01

SWITCH # BUTTON RELAYS CONTROLLED DESCRIPTION

(8

MAX

.)

-01 1 -01, -02 1/3
" 2 -01, -02 2/3
" 3 -01, -02 FULL
" 4 -03 WALL WASH

2

⁄3 Lighting plus wall wash

Full lighting plus wall wash

7

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Master Button Alternate Scenarios

OFF/RESTORE — The Default Setting

The Master Button on the 2-, 4- and 8-button switch is pre­configured to provide an OFF/Restore scenario. If several
individual switch buttons are ON, hitting the Master turns all
of those buttons OFF. Hitting the Master again would turn
those same switches back ON.

Example (Figure 8): Assume that in the previous office
example, an occupant prefers a lighting arrangement with the
fluorescents at
buttons on the switch are set to this combination, all the
occupant needs to do from then on is to press the Master
Button to turn off or restore this lighting combination.

Another example: Assume an 8-button switch is used to
control eight zones in an open office space. At the end of the
day, all but two zones have been turned off. Upon leaving, a
conscientious employee uses the Master Button to turn off
the remaining lighting, only to hear an exclamation from the
back corner… someone is still there. Pressing the Master
Button again would restore the lighting in the two zones
which had been on, without having to turn on the entire floor.

1

⁄3 and the wallwash units on. Once the

Figure 8

1

⁄3 Lighting plus wall wash

Master OFF

You can change the operating
scenario of the Master Button
using the first two DIP switches

Master Restore

located on the back of the
switch.The DIP switches are
normally covered by a label to

prevent accidental changes. As
shown above, the factory default setting is all DIP switches in
the ON position: each DIP switch is depressed towards the
numbers along the top, indicated here by the black dots.

To access the
Master Button DIP
switches, remove
the gray portion in
the upper right
corner of the label
on the back of the
dataline switch.

OFF ONLY

To convert to Master OFF Only, DIP
switch 1 is ON, switch 2 is OFF.
This is an energy-efficient setting,
but not very occupant friendly. For
example, in our office application,

this would make the occupant reset
the desired lighting combination every morning. (Don’t use
this configuration with Pattern switches).

DISABLED

Both DIP switches OFF. This configuration may be preferred

when there is concern about

someone “accidentally” turning on

all of the lights on the floor.

DISABLED & OVERRIDE

Moving the fourth DIP switch to the

ALL ON/ALL OFF

To convert to All ON/All OFF
operation, DIP switch 1 is moved to
the OFF position (1 OFF, 2 ON). This
operation is typical in a prison
application: individual control of

OFF position as shown, disables the switch but allows for a

five-minute override. When the DIP
switch is in the OFF position the
switch can be enabled for five
minutes by pressing the service
pin.

each cell with a Master ON/OFF to

8

override a bank of switches quickly.

SPECIAL FUNCTIONS (CONTINUED)

Figure 9

DEH40206 Installation Instructions

Cleaning Switch

The third DIP switch, when set in
the OFF position as shown, changes
the operation of the entire switch

unit to provide a Cleaning Scenario.
The intent of the cleaning scenario is to allow the cleaners to
turn on or off a large area without negatively affecting
occupants who may be staying late. When in the cleaning
mode, any button on the switch unit will turn ON the relays
softwired to that switch button, similar to a standard switch.
However, when the button is toggled off, any relays which are
ON because of an occupant override will remain ON.

Combining the Cleaning Scenario with Pattern operation can
provide an elegant solution to control of cleaning lights (see
Figures 9 and 10). Let’s assume that switch 01-01 has been
configured as a cleaning switch with button 1 controlling a
Pattern in which the north half of the floor is ON and south
half is OFF. The second button does just the reverse. With this
combination, whenever the cleaners turn on one half of the
floor, the other half turns off automatically, saving half the
lighting. Furthermore, since switch 01-01 has been configured
as a cleaning switch, the cleaning crew cannot accidentally
put an occupant in the dark. For instance, if an occupant has
used a switch to turn ON relay 01-01, the cleaning switch
cannot turn that relay OFF as shown in the sequence below.

Figure 10

1234

1. After hours, all lights are off.

2. Late-working occupant enters,
turns on lights in Zone 1.

3. Cleaning crew presses Button
1 on Cleaning Switch to turn
on north cleaning area.

4. Cleaning crew presses Button
2 on Cleaning Switch to turn
on south cleaning area – lights
in north cleaning area turn off,
except for Zone 1.

DEH40206 BL 0700 R02

GE Total Lighting Control
41 Woodford Avenue, Plainville, CT 06062

©2000 General Electric Company

GE Total Lighting Control

9