Rako Rak-star User Manual

RAK-STAR: CAT-5 star distribution unit

Rako Wired system can be connected by Loop in/Loop out wiring scheme or by
Home Run scheme.
In Home Wiring scheme all Wall Plates and other devices can be wired back to a
central position. This is normally where RAK-4 dimmers, RAK-Links and other Rako
system components are installed.
The RAK-STAR distribution unit allows the Home Run wiring to be achieved.

“Loop in / Loop out “wiring
system.

CAT5 Cable is connected from
one device to the next in perfect
order to allow correct
transmission of signals along a
single CAT5 cable.

Device at each end of cable must
be terminated (Term) All other
devices are Unterminated
(Unterm).
Each device is supplied with
jumper links to allow correct
setting of termination.

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

TERM

TERM

Figure 1

“Home Run” or “Star” wiring
system.

With RAKO Wiring Distribution
Unit. There is freedom to route
cables to suit the installation.
Wiring can be “Home Run” or a
mixture of Home Run and Loop
in / Loop Out.
In addition, parts of the network
can be isolated during
commissioning to allow easy
testing and fault finding.

Each wiring spur must be
terminated. (Jumper settings are
different to those for Loop in /
Loop out wiring scheme).

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

UNTER
M

STAR TERM

STAR TERM

STAR TERM

STAR TERM

STAR TERM

STAR TERM

Figure 2

See Figures 5 & 6 for detail of how to make correct cable terminations

WITHOUT RAK-STAR

WITH RAK-STAR

RULES FOR WIRING CAT5 CABLES TO DISTRIBUTION BOX

1. Follow the Colour Code marked next to the Punch down Connectors

2. Only put ONE CAT5 cable in each Punch Down Connector

3. Only put a switch in UP position when it’s Punch Down connector has been
populated with CAT5 cable. This will connect that section of cable to the network.

4. Put switches in DOWN position when their Punch down connectors are empty.

PUNCH DOWN HAS STEP
ON THIS SIDE

LAY WIRE IN CONNECTOR
THIS WAY AROUND

TOOL IS PUSHED ON TO
CONNECTOR THIS WAY
AROUND

SCISSOR ACTION OF
TOOL REMOVES
EXCESS WIRE





position, so switch
is DOWN

No cables in this

This position
has cables, so
switch is UP

Figure 3

USING MORE THAN ONE RAK-STAR UNIT

If number of connections is too great
then 2, 3 or more RAK-STAR units can be
connected together to give bigger

capacity.

WHEN CONNECTING RAK-STAR
UNITS TOGETHER, ONLY USE
FIRST AND LAST CONNECTOR
NUMBERS.

Picture here shows 3 RAK-STAR units
connected together:

RAK-STAR 1 connector 1
Goes to
RAK-STAR 2 connector 18

RAK-STAR 2 connector 1
Goes to
RAK-STAR 3 connector 18

RAK-STAR 2

RAK-STAR 3

RAK-STAR 1

Figure 4