Installation guide – Veris Industries E8950 Install User Manual

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E8950

INSTALLATION GUIDE

ZL0105-0B

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BACnet Network Management – Important Steps to Avoid Conflicts

BACnet configuration uses two default settings that might need to be changed,
depending on the application.

a. Network ID number. Every logical network segment (IP subnet, MS/TP trunk, etc.)

in an entire system must have a (16-bit) network ID number that is unique from

all other BACnet networks in the enterprise. The BACnet network administrator

assigns this network ID so that no two ID numbers conflict (whether using
BACnet/IP or MS/TP). Within each segment, every device is physically identified by

the combination of its 8-bit MAC address and the 16-bit network ID number.
To support multiple meters with a single E8950, the E8950 presents multiple
BACnet devices using a single (its own) MAC address. Each E8950 has its own
(internal) network ID, and it assigns a unique MAC address to each Modbus meter
attached, derived from the unique Device_IDs.

The E8950 factory default network address is 50 (decimal). If that number is
already in use in the system, assign a unique address using the graphical user
interface (GUI) on the built-in web server (this requires an ethernet connection
to a web browser; see BACnet/IP Setup section for instructions on changing
configuration settings using the GUI). Valid network numbers range from 1 to
65534; if other values are entered, the network number defaults to 5.

b. Device ID. Every BACnet device must have a BACnet Device_ID number that is

unique throughout the entire enterprise. Since the E8950 presents every Modbus

meter as a BACnet device, each connected meter that has a Modbus address must

have a BACnet Device_ID.
By default, each device discovered receives a Device_ID number that is the sum
of an offset value (default is 50000) and the Modbus address of the device. If
these Device_ID numbers cause a conflict with existing devices in the system, or
if the system includes multiple E8950s, change the Device_ID numbers before
connecting the E8950 to the system. This can be managed one of two ways:

i. Connect to the E8950 directly (offline from the system) with the devices
(meters) connected to the E8950. After the E8950 discovers the devices
and assigns their default ID numbers, the user can choose new Device_ID
values and write these to each device using BACnet software. Subsequent
discoveries will not overwrite these values with defaults even if the E8950 is
then set to Discovery mode.

ii. Use the GUI on the built-in web server to modify the offset value used
to calculate default Device_IDs in the discovery process (this requires an
ethernet connection to a web browser; see BACnet/IP Setup section for
instructions on changing configuration settings using the GUI). The E8950
retains this offset value and uses it to assign Device_ID numbers every time
power is cycled if the E8950 is in Discovery mode. Valid Device_ID numbers
range from 1 to 4194303. Since the numbers assigned during discovery are
the sum of the Offset and the Modbus address (which can be any value from
1-255), any Offset values entered in the GUI must be less than 4194057.

d. If the E8950 is connected to an ethernet gateway, enter its IP address in the
Default Gateway field.

e. Click the Update IP settings button. The E8950 will change its settings and
restart. The GUI will not connect again until the E8950 is installed on the network
that matches those settings and the new IP address is entered into a web browser
on a PC properly configured for that network.

Profile Assignment

Profile assignment is automatic. Upon power-up/reset, with the device in Discovery
mode (DIP switch S3 is to the right), each Modbus address is queried for a slave ID.
Any devices that respond with a slave ID matching a supported device are given a
unique device object and a full set of data objects to match the device.

All supported Veris meters are discovered and assigned one of the profiles (see
Appendix 1) if they are connected, powered, and configured properly.

The Add/Remove/Edit buttons on the GUI can be used to alter the assignments,
but this is not recommended for general use, as the profiles could be assigned to
products they do not support. If a meter is not discovered because it is not connected,
powered, or configured properly, adding the profile manually will not make it work.
Any changes to the profile assignments made manually through the GUI will be
discarded when the E8950 is power-cycled or reset in Discovery mode.

Turn on the E8950

1. Set the configuration mode switch (S3) to the Discovery

position.

2. Apply power to the E8950. It can take up to 2-3 minutes to

discover all the Modbus RTU meters, build a configuration
file, and install the device on BACnet MS/TP. Scanning begins
at address 1 and continues in numerical sequence, mapping
meters as they are discovered. To shorten this time, use
lower Modbus addresses for the meters so that they will be
discovered and mapped more quickly. After the meters at the
lower addresses are discovered, the E8950 continues scanning
the remaining addresses in the background, without affecting
operation.

3. Optional: Lock the configuration. If no more devices will be added to or removed

from the Modbus trunk, lock the device mapping by setting the mode from
Discovery to Normal (slide DIP switch S3 to the left). This causes the E8950 to
set up the same devices at power-up, without repeating the Discovery process.
In Normal mode, the power-up time improves, but BACnet devices are created
whether the device responds or not, and new devices are not discovered.

Configuration Mode

Normal



Discovery



Determine the best mode for the application. Discovery mode queries and re-
discovers devices each time the E8950 is power-cycled or reset, so use this mode
when you anticipate adding, removing, or changing Modbus devices. Normal
mode creates the same set of BACnet device objects when the E8950 is power-
cycled or reset, even if objects change, are removed, or cease to communicate.
Power-up time is faster in Normal mode.