Controller Description
ILC Apprentice 3 User Manual 1-10
Version 1A 10-18-17
1.3 Lighting Controller Network
ILC Apprentice II controllers can be net-
worked together in a Local Area Network
(LAN) to form a comprehensive lighting con-
trol system for a faciltity.
1.3.1 Communications Protocol And
Transmission Media – Devices that operate
on ILC’s LightSync CAT-5 data line include
Apprentice II lighting controllers, LightSync
switches, photocells, inputs, and occupancy
sensor inputs. A standard 24 gauge CAT-5, 5E
or 6 cable is used for the data line and pro-
vides both data and power to these
devices. See Figure 1.5 which details cable
specifications. The cable terminates to ports
on each Apprentice 3 controller (or expan-
sion panel) as shown in Figure 1.7. The total
data line end to end distance may not
exceed 3000 feet without the addition of a
Power Supply Repeater (PSR) (See Figure 1.6
and 1.8) to the data line. Only a PSR will
extend the data line. A PSR has one incoming
and two outgoing RJ45 ports to split the line
into two different directions. See Figure 1.8 for
an example of possible project layout.
1.3.2 Network Architecture
The network can consist of a Master (stan-
dard) panel and a number of Expansion pan-
els that add up to a maximum of 48 relay out-
puts. The Master panel is always Node 1 and
controls the Expansion panels. The Expansion
panels are adddressed with a unique node
address ranging from 2 to C. The data line
exits the Master panel’s RJ-45 OUT port and
enters the IN port of the Expansion panel.
As an alternative to programming from the
Master Controller Keypad, programming may
be done from a personal computer (PC)
equipped with proprietary ILC Apprentice 3
Pro software. See Appendix C for details.
1.3.3 Device Nodes – Apprentice 3 Networks
also feature Device Nodes. These are data
switches, photocells and other input devices
connected to the CAT-5 data line. (See Figure
1.8). There can be a maximum of up to 64
device nodes in a the lighting control network.
There are limitations to the distance data
can travel over CAT-5 cable without loss,
and distance limitations due to voltage drop
associated with cable length and number of
devices on the LightSync data line. These
limitations are addressed by the addition of
a Power Supply Repeater, Power Supply or
LightSync Hub (see Figure 1.6), depending
on the application. The specific use of these
devices depends on the project layout.
Each controller will power up to 8 device
nodes without a Power Supply Repeater
(PSR), Power Supply (PS) or LightSync Hub
(HUB). Each of these will supply power to an
additional 20 devices. If "T" connections are
required, or if data needs to be extended, a
PSR is necessary. A LightSync Hub (See Figure
1.9) provides “home run” wiring capability.
Consult factory for details.
Each device node is addressed via address
dials that are part of the device. Possible
addresses for device nodes are 01-40 in HEX
code allowing 64 LightSync devices. These
are a different set of addresses from the con-
troller node addresses.
If your project features device nodes,
consult Section 4 for details.