QUANTUMâ„¢ HD UNITY COMPRESSOR CONTROL PANEL
COMMUNICATIONS SETUP
090.070-CS (JUL 2020)
Page 7
Ethernet and Networking
DESCRIPTION
FRICK® Controls uses Ethernet as the primary method of
connecting one or multiple Quantumâ„¢ HD Unity panels to
a common computer network. In the past, this intercon-
nection would have been done by serial protocol wiring,
such as RS-422/485. But with the capabilities of today’s
technology, Ethernet is the quickest and most efcient way
of providing this connectivity.
Whereas the old serial communications methods (RS232,
for example) were slow by today’s standards (kbit/s trans-
mission speed), Ethernet is available in three speeds:
10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, and 1 Gbps.
NOTICE
For connection examples, see Section 9 (Appendix B
and C) of this manual entitled Quantumâ„¢ HD Unity
Local Ethernet Congurations and Quantum™ HD Unity
Ethernet Network Congurations.
Ethernet is a data and information sharing system. It is
a method of connecting one computer to many others
on a common network. This network can consist of both
hardwired connections, and wireless devices, hence the
name Ethernet.
Any Windows or Linux based computer is capable of ac-
cessing 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
connection (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 address 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 address of 216.27.61.137, you can simply enter in
www.jci.com, as an example. Although the actual process
is more detailed and complicated than this basic explana-
tion, the end result is that most of the work is being done
invisibly.
The following write up describes how to set up the Quan-
tumâ„¢ HD Unity to do this behind the scenes work, so that
it can communicate both at the Internet level, and at a
local Ethernet level.
CABLING
Each Quantumâ„¢ HD Unity Ethernet connection must be
individually cabled (known as a homerun) direct from a
switch or computer using a CAT5e cable. 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 attached. The RJ-45 connector
looks similar to the RJ-11 connector on the end of a tele-
phone cord but is slightly larger (and not compatible). You
can buy CAT5e 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 m for each cable run).
Although FRICK Controls recommends the use of shielded,
twisted pair CAT5e cable, if the cable is not properly con-
structed and tested, it can actually 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 acceptable. This
is mostly due to the excellent (electrical) noise immunity
that is inherent with Ethernet componentry.
NOTICE
Follow standard networking procedures for the intercon-
nections of all components. For individual cable runs in
excess of 300 ft (~100 m), a Switch/Hub must be used for
each additional run. Do not use more than two Switches/
Hubs on any cable run.
Cabling Do’s and Don’ts – FRICK Controls recommends
the following guidelines when installing and using CAT5e
Ethernet cable:
Do:
• Run all cables in a star (homerun) conguration.
• Keep all individual cable lengths under 300 ft. If greater
distances are needed, use a switch/hub every 300 ft
(minimum.)
• Ensure that the twists of the wire pairs within the cable
are maintained from end to end.
• Make gradual bends in the cable. Keep each bend
radius over 1 in.
• Keep all cables tie wrapped neatly.
• Try to maintain parallel cable runs where possible.
• Keep the cable as far away as possible from EMI
sources (motors, transformers, solenoids, or lighting,
for example).
• Label the ends of each cable, to facilitate troubleshoot-
ing and identifying in the future.
• Test each individual cable run with an approved CAT5 E
cable tester. A TONING alone test is NOT acceptable.
• Use rubber grommets anywhere that the cable enters
through a hole in a metal panel.
• ALWAYS obey local, national and re building codes.