DIAG485

Technical Instructions

Rev. 10/4/2013

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Contents
What is a DIAG485?.................................................................................................................. 1
Sample network configuration ...................................................................................... 2
Specifications .............................................................................................................. 2
To mount a DIAG485 ................................................................................................................. 2
Wiring for power........................................................................................................................ 3
To wire for power .......................................................................................................... 3
To wire for communications ....................................................................................................... 3
Diagnosing network problems .................................................................................................... 4
CE Compliance ......................................................................................................................... 5

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What is a DIAG485?
A DIAG485 is a diagnostic board that shows the communication signal levels on a
network segment. The DIAG485 can also add bias to reduce the effects of noise on the
network, but this usage depends on which of the following methods you use to terminate
each end of the network segment.
If you use BT485's to terminate and add bias, you can optionally install one or more
DIAG485's for diagnostic purposes only. You must put the DIAG485's Bias jumper in
the OFF position to prevent it from adding bias.
If you use the 120 Ohm terminators included with the DIAG485, you must add at
least one DIAG485 near the center of the network segment to add bias. Put this
DIAG485's Bias jumper in the ON position. If you add other DIAG485's on the network
segment for diagnostics, put their Bias jumpers in the OFF position.
To attach a 120 Ohm terminator, turn off the controllers power, then attach the
terminator to the controller's Net + and Net terminals.

Bias
jumper LEDs
Network
connector
ON
Net +
OFF
Net
Net Net +
Shield

DIAG485

Power
connector

24 Vac
Gnd

Power
LED

DIAG485 ALC Proprietary & Confidential 2013 Automated Logic Corporation

Rev. 10/4/2013 All rights reserved
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Sample network Sample daisy-chain configuration using DIAG485s for bias and diagnostics:
configuration
Segment
P P
T C C C C C C C C T R T
Segment
P P
T R T C C C C C C C
Segment
P P
C C C C C C C C C T

P PROT485 120 Ohm

C Controller Earth Ground DIAG485 R REP485 T
Terminator

Specifications Power 24 Vac 10%, 0.3 A, 5060 Hz, 7.2 VA (Single Class 2
Source Only, 100 VA or less)
Environmental operating 0 to 130F (-17.8 to 54.4C), 1090% relative humidity,
range non-condensing
Protection Built-in solid-state polyswitch surge and transient protection
for communications. Polyswitch is not replaceable; it will
reset itself if the condition that caused a fault returns to
normal.
Overall dimensions Width: 4 in. (10.16 cm)
Height: 4 in. (10.16 cm)
Listed by UL-916 (PAZX), cUL-916 (PAZX7), CE

To mount a DIAG485

CAUTION If the equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer,

the protection provided by the equipment may be impaired.
Provide at least 1.5 in. (3.8 cm) clearance from each edge of the DIAG485 for wiring.
1 Remove DIAG485 from the SnapTrack.
2 Mount the SnapTrack using self-drilling screws. Drill directly into the plastic near the
edges of the SnapTrack so that the screws will be visible when you install the
DIAG485. This prevents loose screws from shorting out the back of the board.
3 Mount the DIAG485 on the SnapTrack by pushing it firmly into the grooves.

DIAG485 ALC Proprietary & Confidential 2013 Automated Logic Corporation

Rev. 10/4/2013 All rights reserved
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Wiring for power

WARNING Do not apply line voltage (mains voltage) to this device's ports or
terminals.

CAUTIONS
The DIAG485 is powered by a Class 2 power source. Take appropriate isolation
measures when mounting it in a control panel where non-Class 2 circuits are present.
Automated Logic controllers can share a power supply as long as you:
Maintain the same polarity.
Use the power supply only for Automated Logic controllers.

To wire for power 1 Remove power from the 24 Vac transformer.

2 Pull the screw terminal connector from the DIAG485's power connector.
3 Connect the transformer wires to the screw terminal connector.
4 Apply power to the transformer.
5 Measure the voltage at the DIAG485s power input terminals to verify that the voltage
is within the operating range of 21.626.4 Vac.
6 Insert the screw terminal connector into the DIAG485's power connector.
The Power LED lights when the DIAG485 has power.

To wire for communications

WARNING Do not apply line voltage (mains voltage) to this device's ports or
terminals.

1 Pull the screw terminal connector from the DIAG485's power connector.
2 Check the communications wiring for shorts and grounds.
3 Connect the communications wiring to the DIAG485's Net +, Net , and Shield screw
terminals.
NOTE Use the same polarity throughout the network segment.
4 Insert the screw terminal connector into the DIAG485's power connector.
5 Verify communication with the network by viewing Module Status reports (Modstats)
in the WebCTRL interface for controllers beyond the DIAG485.

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Diagnosing network problems
Factors such as network length or the DIAG485s position on the network affect how
many of its LEDs are lit when communication is good or when network problems exist. To
use the LEDs to diagnose problems, you must understand how the LEDs react to various
network problems. Use the LED diagrams below as a reference.

Short network Medium network Long network

(Less than 200 feet) (201 to 999 feet) (1000 to 2000 feet)
Net- Net+ Net- Net+ Net- Net+
Good Off
communication On
(has termination
and bias)

Network problems Examples on a medium network

Net- Net+
Missing bias
Number of lit Net- LED's is higher than Good
communication (shown above), almost as many
as Net +

Missing terminators
Most LED's are lit.

Missing bias and terminators

Almost all LED's are lit.

Too many terminators or

cable length exceeds 2000 ft.
Most LED's are off.

Possible causes:
Shorted Net- to Net+ (most likely cause)
A defective controller on network
is constantly transmitting
A defective BT485 is putting +5 volts
directly onto Net+

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 NOTE If all lit LED's quickly turn off then on, this indicates an ARC156 network
reconfiguration.

Good network communication viewed through an oscilloscope looks similar to the

following figure. The DIAG485's Net- LED's represent the signal below the 0-volt line, and
the Net+ LED's represent the signal above the 0-volt line.

Good communication on a short network with terminators and bias

CE Compliance

WARNING This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may

cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate
measures.

DIAG485 ALC Proprietary & Confidential 2013 Automated Logic Corporation

Rev. 10/4/2013 All rights reserved
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