ILC-xx0 Intelligent Lighting Controllers

ILC-xx0 Controller Issues/Mounting Issues

• What does the ILC-xx0 do and what other products do I need to acquire to make the system operation? Can the system operate without an e-Node? What tools do I need to complete a basic installation?
  This article summarizes the basic installation issues and required components to enable proper system operation.
• What might a typical installation within a DIN-RAIL Mounting Box look like?
  This article summarizes general wiring issues.
• How many ILC-xx0 devices can I connect to each other within a system? How long can the wiring runs be between ILC-xx0 devices and can I use splitters to add branches to my CS-BUS wiring topology?
  This article summarizes general wiring issues.
• Are there any limitations on who can (according to local building codes) install a lighting system comprised of ILC-xx0 devices within a residential or commercial location?
  This article describes general information on who can design, install and service low-voltage lighting systems.

General Issues Discovery/Out-of-box Setup

• What do I do after I first receive ILC-xx0 devices, can I plug it in and have it work without doing anything?
  This article summarizes the initial steps that must be followed in order to set-up and test ILC-xx0 devices.
• I see there are two RJ-25 (6P6C) jacks on my ILC-xx0. What are they for?
  This article summarizes the purpose of the on-board RJ-25 connectors.
• What happens if the e-Node's on-board web-page can not discover/display one or more connected ILC-xx0 devices
  This article provides troubleshooting steps that should be followed here.
• What happens if a discovered ILC-xx0 randomly appears and then disappears within the e-Node/CS-Bus Device window?
  This article provides troubleshooting steps that should be followed here.
• With a multi-ILCxx0 system. how can I individually address each ILC-xx0 or address banks of devices together to save programming time when integrating with my 3rd-party automation or lighting systems (i.e., Lutron, Crestron, Nice, Control4, etc.)?
  This article provides a step-by-step process to understand addressing and how individual or groups of controllers can be addressed.

LED (on-board) LED indicator light

• What do various colors and blink rates of the on-board ILC-xx0 indicator light mean?
  This article explains the various states of an illuminated LED indicator and how to troubleshoot issues.
• What do I do if the on-board LED-xx0 indicator light fails to illuminate when the ILC-xx0 is properly powered on?
  This article provides troubleshooting steps that should be followed here.

Communication Wiring/CS-Bus Issues

• How do I connect an ILC-xx0 to an e-Node using CS-Bus wiring technology.
  This article discusses recommended cabling, RJ-24 modular connectors (where to buy), wire runs, testing, supported on-device I/O ports and other related issues.
• Can I use splitters to create a "T" in my CS-Bus wiring?
  This article discusses solutions to this issue.
• What happens if I use improper CS-Bus wire (not twisted pair) or inexpensive (flat) telephone flat ribbon cable in lieu of CAT5 or better cabling?
  This article describes the pitfalls of using incorrect CS-Bus cabling.
• I am unable to Discover (see within the e-Node's CS-Bus tab even though device(s) appear to have been wired correctly)?
  This article provides a step-by-step process for troubleshooting CS-Bus wiring issues and other related activation issues.

Power Supply Unit (PSU) Selection and Connecting PSUs to ILC-xx0

• What does a typical installation with DIN-RAIL power supplies look like?
  This article provides details of typical installations.
• Recommended Power Supplies/Mounting and Mandatory Use of Grounds
  This article summarizes recommended power supply units (PSU), incoming voltage requirements, recommended mounting information, cabling to the ILC-xx0 and the importance of ground wiring (mandatory).
• Can I connect a larger Power Supply Unit (PSU) to two or more ILC-x00 controllers? Can I connect two power supplies in parallel to one ILC-xxx? Or can I connect one PSU to two or more ILC-xx0 devices? What happens if I exceed the rated output of the PSU or the ILC-xx0?
  This article discusses answers to these questions.
• If use an incorrect power supply will my system lose its UL rating?
  This article provides detailed information here.

Resetting an ILC-xx0 controller

• How do I perform a Soft/Software Reset or a Hard/Factory Reset on an ILC-xxx controller?
  This article describes how to factory default an ILC-xxx controller.

LED Output Issues-Constant Voltage Linear Tape

• If I connect an approved load to an ILC-xx0 will that load automatically turn on once I power up the ILC-xx0 if I have not initially commissioned it (i.e., you don't give the ILC-xx0 a UID address and you don't change the factory default from 2.1.0 to a non-zero number?
  NO it will not. This article describes what is otherwise in all manuals to insure the connected loads turn on.
• What are the requirements for connecting LED constant voltage linear tape to my system?
  This article provides relevant information for compatible LED constant voltage devices, including system wiring and other issues.
• Within a 4" section on my tape, all of the same color of LEDS is missing (i.e., all the Reds on the 4" section are not illuminating when commanded to do so)?
  This article provides concise troubleshooting steps that should be followed to resolve output issues.
• I just had a power failure and all my LEDs powered on to a medium-brightness white (or some other non-anticipated color or brightness level). Is this normal and what can I do change this power-on operation?
  This article provides more information on this feature and how to disable or change the outcome resulting from a power on after a power failure.
• Some of my LEDs seem to be "stuck" in the ON state and cannot be turned off. What can I do to troubleshoot this issue?
  This article provides troubleshooting information for this situation.
• I am getting a mixture of two colors when I turn on a single color (i.e., when I turn on RED I get Purple)
  See Failure Type 6 within this article.
• I am getting output on only some of my connected ILC-xx0 devices (i.e., the first three ILC-xx0 that are connected on my CS-BUS are working and every ILC-xx0 wired downstream of a particular ILC-xx0 unit fails to be (i) discovered, and (ii) operate (although those suspect ILC-xx0 devices may still display a solid yellow or green indicator).
  This article provides a step-by-step process to troubleshoot situations that certain connected ILC-xx0 devices are not operating (or are not able to be discovered).
• No LED Output is seen regardless if I turn on Red, or Green or Blue or White
  This article provides general LED output troubleshooting information.

LED Output Issues-Constant Current Fixtures

• What are the requirements for connecting constant current fixtures to the ILC-450/ILC-460?
  This article provides general information for compatible LED constant current devices, including system wiring and other considerations.
• A single color is missing on all connected fixtures?
  This article provides general information as to how to troubleshoot missing colors.
• No LED Output (of any color) is seen regardless if I turn on Red, or Green or Blue or White
  This article provides information on problems in wiring and the most basic issue that the EOL terminator was not installed.
• I just had a power failure and all my LEDs powered on to a medium-brightness white (or some other non-anticipated color or brightness level). Is this normal and what can I do change this power-on operation?
  This article provides more information on this feature and how to disable or change the outcome resulting from a power on after a power failure.
• Some of my LEDs seem to be "stuck" in the ON state and cannot be turned off. What can I do to troubleshoot this issue?
  This article provides troubleshooting information for this situation.

e-Node Issues

e-Node General Issues/Mounting Issues

• How to select the correct e-Node for my job? Can I use multiple e-Nodes in my system. Where should the e-Node be mounted? What are the maximum number of e-Nodes that I can add to a typical automation or lighting system and can they be of mixed type?
  This article summarizes relevant information for selecting the correct e-Node for your application.
• What are the maximum number of ILC-xx0s controllers that can be connected to a single e-Node 2000/4000. What are the maximum number of DMX fixtures (decoders) that can be connected to a single e-Node 2100/4100. What are the maximum number of DALI II fixtures that can be connected to each ILC-640d. How many ILC-640d can be connected to a single e-Node 4x00?
  This article summarizes the specified maximum number of controllers/DMX and DALIII fixtures that can be connected to relevant devices.
• What might a typical installation within a DIN-RAIL Mounting Box look like?
  This article provides a good example of an e-Node DIN-RAIL mounted.
• Is POE available for any e-Nodes. Are there any caveats for its use?
  This article summarizes general information regarding POE.

General Issues Discovery/Out-of-box Setup

• What do I once I receive my e-Node--can I plug it in and have it work without doing anything?
  This article summarizes the initial steps that must be followed in order to set-up and test your e-Node/xxxx device.
• I see there are two black RJ-45 jack and one RJ-25 jack on the e_Node (MK III and later). These jacks are separate from the silver LAN RJ-45 port on the other side of the unit. What are the black RJs for?
  This article summarizes the purpose of the on-board RJ-25 connectors.
• How is the e-Node discovered/found using standard Microsoft Windows technology? What happens if I cannot find the e-Node even though it is powered on?
  This article provides a step-by-step process discovering an e-Node.
• With a multi e-Node x000 system, can I address all e-Nodes simultaneously. If not, how can I control a system with multiple e-Nodes?.
  This article provides a summary on how multiple e-Nodes can be supported with 3rd party automation and lighting systems.

e-Node LED (on-board) LED indicator light

• What do the various states (and colors) of the on-board e-Node indicator light mean?
  This article explains the various states of an illuminated LED indicator and how this information can be used for troubleshooting in other articles.
• What do I do if the on-board LED-xx0 indicator light does not shift from a 2x/second flash rate to 1x/second flash rate in a reasonable time after a reboot. Note: Unless the LED Indicator (either Green or Yellow) advances to 1x/second flash rate, the e-Node cannot be communicated with on the network and likewise it can not connect to any 3rd party automation system.
  This article provides detailed network troubleshooting information.
• What do I do if the on-board LED-xx0 indicator light fails to illuminate or turns to SOLID RED after going to through its boot up process (Red only relevant on e-Node 4x00 gateways?
  This article provides troubleshooting information.

Communication Wiring/CS-Bus Issues

• How do I connect an ILC-xx0 to an e-Node using CS-Bus wiring technology.
  This article discuses recommended cabling, RJ-25 modular connectors, wire runs, supported on-device I/O ports and other related issues.
• I am unable to Discover one or more connected e-Nodes even though its green or yellow indicator is flashing 1x/second.
  This article provides a step-by-step process for troubleshooting for Discovery Issues.

Powering the e-Node

• How do I power the e-Node?
  This article summarizes recommended power supply units (PSU), recommended mounting information, cabling to the e-Node (for remote power).
• Can I connect a larger Power Supply Unit (PSU) to two or more e-Nodes?
  This article summarizes issues related to this topic.

Resetting an e-Node gateway

• How do I perform a Soft/Software Reset or a Hard/Factory Reset on an e-Node?
  This article summarizes general information regarding POE.

DMX Issues

DMX General Issues-e-Node 2100/4100

• There are many DMX decoders (masters that connect to make DMX fixtures operate) in the marketplace from great companies. What makes the e-Node/dmx 2100/4100 different and how can I make my DMX fixtures can work with all automation/lighting platforms with single gateway (DMX Master), while saving programming time, driving better colors, using (fewer platform programming) devices in my programming, as well as supporting more fixtures (many more) and even controlling color temperature (on some devices) from DMX fixtures?
  This article summarizes relevant information for why the e-Node/dmx is the product for you if you are working with DMX fixtures and modern automation and lighting systems, including Lutron, Nice/ELAN, Control4, Crestron and others.
• How to select the correct e-Node for my job? Can I use multiple e-Nodes in my system? Where should the e-Node be mounted? What are the maximum number of e-Nodes that I can add to a typical automation or lighting system and can they be of mixed types?
  This article summarizes relevant information for selecting the correct e-Node for your application.
• I have never used DMX and need some assistance with the concept--can you help me with this?
  This article provides a Primer on DMX, addressing and how Converging Systems can solve your DMX issues?.
• What might a typical installation within a DIN-RAIL Mounting Box look like?
  This article provides a good example of an e-Node DIN-RAIL mounted.

General DMX Addressing Issues-Setting up a DMX Fixture in order to operate.

• What is a DMX Channel? What colors are assigned to my fixture's DMX Channels? What do I need to do in order to understand my fixture's addresses and how do I modify one fixture's addresses such that it can be addressed separately What if my DMX fixture does not have a front panel to make any changes to its channel assignments (or starting DMX address), what do I do?
  This article provides information on DMX Slot assignments and how to change DMX starting addresses.
• If my fixture does not have a front panel to change its Base/Starting DMX but it supports RDM instead, what is RDM and how do I set up a fixture using this technology?
  This article provides information on RDM and how this technology can be used to change some user-configurable settings on a DMX fixture.

General Issues Discovery/Out-of-box Setup

• What do I once I received my e-Node--can I plug it in and have it work without doing anything?
  This article summarizes the initial steps that must be followed to set-up and test your e-Node/xxxx device.
• I see there are two black RJ-45 receptacle and one RJ-25 receptacle on the unit (separate for silver LAN RJ-45 port). What are the black RJs for?
  This article summarizes the purpose of the various black on-board RJ-25/45 connectors.
• How is the e-Node discovered/found using standard (uPnP) Microsoft Windows technology? What happens if I cannot find the e-Node even though it is powered on? What other technologies can be used to discover e-Nodes?
  This article provides a step-by-step process discovering an e-Node.
• With a multi e-Node xxxx system, can I address all e-Nodes simultaneously. If now, how can I control a system with multiple e-Nodes?
  This article provides a summary on how multiple e-Nodes can be supported with 3rd-party automation and lighting systems.
• DMX fixtures from their manufacturers come with many orientation of outputs (colors assigned to a particular DMX channel). Some fixtures may include simple monochrome only, while others may offer RGBW, Hue/Saturation/Brightness, or even RGB +Cool White + Warm White or speed control (for fiber optic ceilings or fans). How can one DMX Gateway possibly support them all, and it it can, how can I make it work (without spending hours or even thousands of dollars for hardware)? And can my automation system (all of them) or my lighting system (including Lutron QSX and Crestron) even support all of these devices (at the same time)? Well those are great questions and we are glad you asked.
  This article provides a summary on how the e-Node 2100/4100 can solve your DMX support issues.

Communication Wiring/DMX Wiring

• How do I connect DMX fixtures (i.e., DMX devices with DMX decoders) to an e-Node/dmx?
  This article discuses recommended cabling, wire runs, supported on-device I/O ports and other related issues.
• I am unable to communicate with DMX fixtures even though those fixtures appear within the DMX tab within the e-Node/dmx.
  This article provides a step-by-step process for troubleshooting network discovery issues related to the e-Node.

Powering DMX devices

• How do I power the e-Node.
  This article summarizes recommended power supply units (PSU), recommended mounting information, cabling to the e-Node (for remote power).
• Can I connect a larger Power Supply Unit (PSU) to two or more e-Nodes?
  This article discusses UL/National Electrical Code issues related to this topic.
• If use an incorrect power supply will my system lose its UL rating
  This article provides detailed information here.

Resetting an e-Node gateway

• How do I perform a Soft/Software Reset or a Hard/Factory Reset on an e-Node?
  This article summarizes general information regarding POE.

Troubleshooting Color/Output issues with connected DMX Fixtures.

• I get no output from my connected DMX fixtures.
  This article provides information to troubleshoot connected DMX fixtures that are showing no light output.
• I am getting wrong colors with my connected DMX fixtures.
  This article provides information to troubleshoot connected DMX fixtures that are showing some light output, but wrong colors are displayed with color pickers.