Problem:
How do you set up Air-Fi wireless sensors for standalone operation with a UC, when no SC+ or wireless network is present?
TechTV Video: (will be linked when Tech TV videos are transferred to Zendesk)
How to Create a Stand Alone Air-Fi Network
Resolution:
If there is not a Tracer SC+ on site, or it has not been installed, you must create a temporary network (even for one sensor and WCI). A wireless network must have one WCI that acts as a coordinator. If you have multiple standalone controllers, choose a controller that is centrally located within all of the UC;s and make the attached WCI the network coordinator. If it is a large site with all standalone controllers, you may need to create several networks, with no more than 20 WCI's on each network. See BAS-SVX068 for guidance in setting up a network.
There can only be one Coordinator per network
- To make the WCI a coordinator, and create the wireless network, press and hold the Start Button for 5 seconds. The CRD, NWK and Open Net LED's should light within a few seconds. If the Open Net LED does not light, press and release the Open Net button.
- If using the Tracer TU service tool connected (with USB) to the controller, that's going to be the Coordinator, Click the 'Wireless' drop down menu in Tracer TU and then click "Create Network' The CRD, NWK and Open Net LED's should also light within a few seconds.
- On both methods of creating the network, the network will be held open for 1 hour to allow member WCIs that have been set with the same GRP/NET address as the Coordinator, to join the network. As each WCI joins the 1 hour timer is reset till all devices have joined.
- If you have multiple areas with standalone controllers, then create multiple networks. making sure to find centrally located WCIs as the coordinators.
A network must be established before a AirFi zone sensor will associate with a WCI.
- The AirFI sensor group and net (gn) settings must match the rotary address on the WCI. This will allow it to become a member of the network
- The UC setting must match the rotary address of the unit controller. This will allow the sensor to associate with the specific controller
- The sensor (Sn) setting should be 1, unless you are using multiple sensors that are being used for zone temperature averaging.
- The network must be open for WCI's and sensors to join. The sensor may display an E2 code stating that it is not yet a member of the network It may take a few minutes for the sensor to join the network and the E2 error to be cleared from the screen. Pressing the center button twice will force a transmission and the sensor should join of the network at that time.
- If the zone sensor is displaying a E1 code, it has not associated with the UC controllers, press the center button twice on the zone sensor to force the association and clear the E1 code. If the E1 code does not clear. Check the sensor address settings to make sure the UC setting matches the rotary dials of the unit controller, and that the Sensor number is set to 1.
When you are ready to install the SC+ on site, you must manually disband each of the previously formed networks before installing the new WCI coordinators on the SC+ and applying power. To manually disband a network: press and hold the start button on the coordinator WCI until the CRD LED goes out (roughly 10 seconds).
When a WCI is connected to the SC+ on the IMC link and 24 VDC/VAC and power is applied to the SC+, the WCI will automatically attempt to become a coordinator, and the SC+ will auto-configure a wireless network to match. If there are existing coordinators with the same group and net settings, within range of the new WCI on the SC+, the WCI will not become a coordinator.
Notes:
Changes:
Other Question/Problem/Cause Statements:
- Do you need to create a network before an AirFi sensor will associate with the WCI on a UC controller?
- AirFi zone sensor will not associate with WCI.
- Can an AirFi sensor and WCI operate standalone without an SC or wireless network?