Frick® Controls uses Ethernet as the primary
method of connecting one or multiple Quan-
tum™ LX panels to a common computer net-
work. In the past, this interconnection would
have been done by serial protocol wiring, such
as RS-232/422/485. But with the capabilities of
today’s technology, Ethernet is the quickest and
most efcient way of providing this connectivity.
Whereas the old serial communications meth-
ods (RS232, etc.) were slow by today’s standards
(kilobits per second transmission speed), Ether-
net is available in two speeds: 10 Mbps and 100
Mbps.
For connection examples, refer to
the section of this manual entitled Quan-
tum™ LX Local Ethernet Congurations and
Quantum™ LX Ethernet Network Congura-
tions.
Ethernet is a data and information sharing sys-
tem. It is a method of connecting one computer
to many others on a common network. This net-
work can consist of both hardwired connections,
and wireless devices, hence the name ETHER-
NET.
Any Windows or Linux based computer is capa-
ble of accessing this network. All that is needed
is either a modem, USB port, or an Ethernet port.
These devices provide the necessary point of
connection for one end (branch) of the connec-
tion (a home computer for instance). The other
point that completes the connection is usually
provided by an Internet Service Provider (or ISP).
The Internet Service Provider usually has a very
large network router, or means of bring in many
individual connections. The router then assigns a
discrete and individual address to each connec-
tion (much like a street address). This address is
known as an Internet Protocol address (IP). The
IP address consists of a series of 4 to 12 digits,
and is normally transparent to the end user.
For individuals familiar with using the internet,
they are familiar that every time they activate
their web browser (the software that allows your
computer to connect), there is an address bar
that appears near the top of the screen. This ad-
dress bar is where you would enter the IP ad-
dress of the computer or network that you would
like to communicate with. To make this simpler,
these numeric IP addresses are also coded to
allow alpha-numeric names to be masked over
them, so that rather than having to enter an ad-
dress of 216.27.61.137, you can simply enter in
www.jci.com, as an example. Although the actu-
al process is more detailed and complicated than
this basic explanation, the end result is that most
of the work is being done invisibly.
The following write up describes how to set up
the Quantum™ LX to do this behind the scenes
work, so that it can communicate both at the
Internet level, and at a local Ethernet level.
Each Quantum™ LX Ethernet connection must be
individually cabled (known as a homerun) direct
from a switch or computer. Unlike RS422/485
communications which allowed for cable daisy-
chaining, Ethernet connections do not allow this.
This type of cabling is designed to handle the
100-Mbps speed needed by Ethernet. Both ends
of each cable must have an RJ-45 connector at-
tached. The RJ-45 connector looks similar to the
RJ-11 connector on the end of a telephone cord
but is slightly larger (and not compatible). You
can buy Cat 5 cables in predetermined lengths
with the connectors already attached (for short
runs), or you can buy the cable in rolls, cut it to
length and install the RJ-45 connectors to the
ends (up to 100 meters per each cable run).
Although Frick® Controls recommends the use
of shielded, twisted pair Cat 5 cable, if the cable
is not properly constructed and tested, it can ac-
tually be more detrimental to the network than
unshielded cable. As long as all of the cables that
are used have been properly constructed AND
tested, either shielded or unshielded are accept-
able. This is mostly due to the excellent (electri-
cal) noise immunity that is inherent with Ether-
net componentry.
Follow standard networking proce-
dures for the interconnections of all compo-
nents. For individual cable runs in excess of
300 feet (~100 meters), a Switch/Hub must
be used for each additional run.
– Frick® Controls rec-
ommends the following guidelines when install-
ing and using CAT 5 Ethernet cable:
• Run all cables in a star (homerun)
conguration.
• Keep all individual cable lengths
under 300 feet. If greater distances
are needed, use a switch/hub every
300 feet.
• Ensure that the twists of the wire
pairs within the cable are main-
tained from end to end.
• Make gradual bends in the cable.
Keep each bend radius over one
inch.
• Keep all cables tie wrapped neatly.
• Try to maintain parallel cable runs
where possible.
• Keep the cable as far away as pos-
sible from EMI sources (motors,