CAN devices connection

Created by Vladimir Tayzhev
Last updated: Jul 09, 2021 by Vasily T.

CAN sensors and CAN units connection

  1. Connect CAN devices to any port CAN1 or CAN2 on the monitoring system using a cable supplied. CAN sensors can also be connected to the port of another CAN sensor or CAN unit which is connected to the CAN bus. Determination of the devices and their connection is done through a web interface.

    You can connect up to a maximum of x12 CAN sensors and CAN devices together on one CAN bus (approximately)!

    If you want to connect more than x12 CAN units, you need to use CAN-12V-1A / CAN Power Supply

  2. The TR should be "ON" for the last sensor on each bus "CAN 1" and "CAN 2". See section "TR" below.

This procedure applies to the following sensors, which are supported by the appliance and are connected to the CAN ports:

CAN sensors, modules:

CAN extension unit:


Read more about Setting up CAN sensors.


Used cable and limit line length

The maximum length of the CAN line in Vutlan monitoring systems is 225 m due to limitations on the ohmic resistance of cables with RJ12 connectors.

It is advisable to use two or three pairs of cables such as UTP Cat3.5.6 with 24AWG with a copper core. It is possible to use a 4-wire or 6-wire TRONIC or UTP CCA cable, but the maximum CAN line length will be reduced.

TR termination switch

The last sensor TR switch on a CAN chain must always be terminated, ( switched ON ). Sensors on a CAN bus that is in the middle should have TR switched OFF.

FR should always be OFF.

TR switch is always the DP switch nearest to the CAN bus.

Only older Vutlan models have an FR switch.

pic.1.1: FR is OFF, TR is ON.                    pic.1.2: FR is OFF, TR is OFF.

Adding CAN modules and sensors

To connect the CAN module or CAN sensor to the CAN bus of the system, go to the interface >> CAN configuration panel >> Select the CAN1 or CAN2 tab (select the connected physical CAN1 or CAN2 port on the master module).

Click the "Configure" button and wait. The system will start CAN bus polling, soon it will display the data lines and write “Done!”. The modules and sensors connected to the CAN input will appear in a tab in the list. Click the Apply button and then Restart.

The green LED "CAN status" of the device will light up.

Go to panel "System Tree" to see the new devices or new sensors. The article numbers for CAN devices are VT4xx. If they do not appear, wait, or refresh.

If after clicking the "Configure" button the poll is reset to the phrase "Update", then the line is not connected or the terminators on the bus are not agreed. It is necessary to check and change the condition of the TR terminators (See "TR termination switch" section above) on the modules or check and possibly change the connection cables.


Warning: If the bus is not matched, that is, there are bad contacts or bad cables, or the TR terminator is in the"ON" position on the intermediate devices (position 2 on the VT408), or the line is too short for matching on both CAN end devices, CAN on this line can work malfunctioning or the line as a whole may not function. (CAN line failure may occur if the parallel CR switch is in state 1, must be in OFF).


LEDs

CAN sensors have LEDs that indicate the following states:

  • Red continuous light, green flickers - no communication with the master module

  • Red continuous light, green is off - there is a connection with the master unit, but is not included in the monitoring system (not configured)

  • Red is off, Green continuously light - work as part of a monitoring system

  • All LEDs are off: no power or sensor is defective.

Maximum cable length test

ModelDescription50m100m150m200m
VT408Sensor extension unit
   ok

VT408DIN

   ok

VT430Rack control unit
   ok

VT440Dry contacts unit
   ok

VT460Smoke, humidity, temperature
   ok

VT490 / VT490i

Dual humidity and temperature sensor /

Pressure, humidity & temperature sensor


ok


see also: