U551 Controller

Technical Instructions

Rev. 9/8/2011
Verify that you have the most current version of this document. Go to http://accounts.automatedlogic.com, then select Support >
Download > Documents > Technical Instructions.

Contents
What is the U551 controller? ..................................................................................................... 1
Control programs ......................................................................................................... 1
Specifications .............................................................................................................. 1
Inputs .......................................................................................................................... 2
Room sensors .............................................................................................................. 2
Digital outputs ............................................................................................................. 2
Analog outputs ............................................................................................................. 3
To mount the U551 ................................................................................................................... 3
Wiring for power........................................................................................................................ 3
Wiring specifications .................................................................................................... 3
Wiring multiple controllers to a single transformer ......................................................... 4
To wire the U551 for power ........................................................................................... 5
To address the U551 ................................................................................................................. 5
Wiring for communications ........................................................................................................ 6
Network protection and signal strength ......................................................................... 6
Wiring specifications .................................................................................................... 6
To wire the U551 for communications ........................................................................... 6
Wiring inputs and outputs .......................................................................................................... 7
Wiring specifications .................................................................................................... 7
To wire inputs and outputs ............................................................................................ 7
Wiring a LogiStat sensor to the U551 .......................................................................................... 8
LogiStat wiring specifications ....................................................................................... 8
To wire a LogiStat sensor .............................................................................................. 9
To assign inputs or outputs to points ........................................................................................... 9
Input values ............................................................................................................... 10
Output values ............................................................................................................. 10
Resolution values ....................................................................................................... 11
Offset/Polarity values ................................................................................................. 11
Using flow sensors .................................................................................................................. 12
To connect duct tubes to the flow sensor ..................................................................... 12
To wire the flow sensor to the U551 ............................................................................. 12
To set up the U-Line Airflow Control microblock ........................................................... 13
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 14
LED's ......................................................................................................................... 14
Serial number ............................................................................................................ 14
FCC Compliance ..................................................................................................................... 14

2011 Automated Logic Corporation. All rights reserved throughout the world. Automated Logic Corporation, the Automated Logic logo,
WebCTRL, EIKON, BACview, SuperVision, and InterOp are registered trademarks, and Alert is a trademark of Automated Logic Corporation.
BACnet is a registered trademark of ASHRAE. All other brand and product names are trademarked by their respective companies.

What is the U551 controller?

The U551 controller is used for zone heat pump and fan coil applications.

Control programs

The U551 has one control program that resides in the UNI.
NOTES

Specifications

You can set up a default algorithm in the UNI driver that allows the U551 to maintain
space temperature if it loses communication with the UNI. See the UNI/16 or UNI/32
Technical Instructions (http://accounts.automatedlogic.com).

To control the U551 with a schedule microblock, the UNI must be on a network with
an LGE, LGRM-E, ME-LGR, or LGR.

Power

24 Vac 10%, 12 VA, 5060 Hz

Unet port

For communication with the Unet using MS/TP at 9600 bps

or 38.4 kbps

LogiStat port

For LogiStat room sensors

Inputs

5 inputs configurable for thermistor. Inputs 1, 2, 3, and Sw

are configurable for dry contact. Inputs 1, 2, and 3 are also
configurable for 05 Vdc. Inputs Temp and Sw are used
when a LogiStat sensor is connected.

Input resolution

10 bit A/D

Digital outputs

5 digital outputs, relay contacts rated at 1 A resistive @ 24

Vac

Analog output

1 analog output, 010 Vdc (5 mA max)

Output resolution

8 bit D/A

Flow sensor port

Provides flow inputs for a USF or UDF flow sensor. If a UDF is

used, Flow 2 uses IN-3, making it unavailable.

Microprocessor

16-bit Hitachi H8 microprocessor

Memory

2 kB of RAM, 60 kB Flash memory, and 8 kB non-volatile

storage for default algorithm and configuration data

Protection

Incoming power and network connections are protected by

non-replaceable internal solid-state polyswitches that reset
themselves when the condition that causes a fault returns to
normal.
The power, network, input, and output connections are also
protected against transient excess voltage/surge events
lasting no more than 10 msec.

Status indicators

U551 Controller Rev. 9/8/2011

LED's indicate status of communications, running, errors,

and power

2011 Automated Logic Corporation

Inputs

Environmental operating
range

0 to 130F (-17.8 to 54.4C), 1090% relative humidity,

non-condensing

Physical

Rugged GE C2905HG Cycoloy plastic.

Overall dimensions

Width:
Height:

Mounting dimensions

5 9/16 in. (14.1 cm) between mounting slot centerlines

Weight

0.7 lbs (0.31 kg)

BIBB support

Supports BACnet Interoperability Building Blocks (BIBB's)

from the following groups: Data Sharing, and Device and
Network Management. See PICS for details.

Listed by

UL-916 (PAZX), cUL-916 (PAZX7), FCC Part 15-Subpart BClass A

5 1/16 in. (12.9 cm)

5 11/16 in. (14.4 cm)

The U551 has 5 inputs that accept the signal types described below.
These
inputs...

Support this
signal type...

All

Thermistor

Precon type 2 (10 kOhm at 77F). Input voltages should

be from 0.489 Vdc to 3.825 Vdc for thermistors.

IN-1, IN-2,
IN-3, Sw

Dry contact

A 5 Vdc wetting voltage detects contact position, resulting

in a 0.5 mA maximum sense current when the contacts
are closed.

IN-1, IN-2,
IN-3

05 Vdc

The output impedance of a 05 Vdc source must not

exceed 10 kOhms. The input impedance of the U551 is
approximately 1 MOhm.

Temp, Sw

LogiStat

TempSee Thermistor.

Description

SwSetpoint adjust. Input voltages should be from 1.4

3.4 Vdc.
NOTE U551 control programs allow pulse accumulation only from the Override button on
the LogiStat.

Room sensors

You can wire a LogiStat, LogiStat Plus, or LogiStat Pro to the U551. To use a LogiStat
sensor, the U551's control program must include a LogiStat microblock and a Zone
Control microblock.

Digital outputs

The U551 has 5 digital outputs. You can connect each output to a maximum of 24 Vac.
Each output is dry contact rated at 1 A maximum and is normally open.

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Analog outputs

The U551 has 1 analog output that supports voltage devices from 0-10 Vdc. The
controlled device must have a minimum of 2000 Ohms resistance measured from its
input to ground and must share the same ground as the controller.

To mount the U551

NOTE You must mount the U551 inside the building. The U551's warranty will be void if
you mount it outside.
Screw the U551 into an enclosed panel using the mounting slots on the coverplate. Leave
about 2 in. (5 cm) on each side of the controller for wiring.
Mounting slot

Mounting slot

Wiring for power

CAUTIONS

Wiring
specifications

The U551 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.

ALC controllers can share a power supply as long as you:

Maintain the same polarity.
Use the power supply only for ALC controllers.

Automated Logic Corporation recommends using a single cable for power and
communication on the Unet. The cable contains a pair of 14 AWG wires for power and a
pair of 22 AWG unshielded wires for communication.
NOTE Use the specified type of wire and cable for maximum signal integrity.

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Wiring multiple
controllers to a
single
transformer

Description

2 pair total: 1 pair 14 AWG, 1 pair 22 AWG, plenum rated cable

Conductor

2 conductor (1 pair) 14 AWG (19x29) stranded bare copper

2 conductor (1 pair) 22 AWG (7x30) stranded bare copper

Insulation

Low-smoke PVC (or equivalent)

0.010 in. (0.254 mm) wall

Color code

14 AWGgreen, red
22 AWGblack, white

Twist lay

14 AWG3 twists/foot (10 twists/meter) nominal

22 AWG5 twists/foot (16 twists/meter) nominal

Shielding

Unshielded

Jacket

Low-smoke PVC (or equivalent)

0.014 in. (0.3556 mm) wall
0.365 in. (9.271 mm) O.D.

Jacket color

Bright pink

Marking

Automated Logic U-line

DC resistance

14 AWG2.53 Ohms/1000 feet (8.3 Ohms/km) nominal

22 AWG15.2 Ohms/1000 feet (50 Ohms/km) nominal

Weight

47 lb/1000 feet (70 kg/km)

UL temperature
rating

23 to 167F (-5 to 75C)

Voltage

300 Vac, power limited

Listing

UL: NEC CL3P, or better

You can power several U line controllers from the same transformer by daisy-chaining the
power from one controller to the next. You must maintain the same polarity on each
connection.
NOTE Do not exceed 100 VA or 500 feet (152.4 meters) total of 14 AWG wire.
To determine the maximum number of controllers on one transformer, divide the
transformer's VA by the sum of the controller's VA plus the VA of any accessories.
VA
(transformer)
VA

(controller)

+ VA

(accessories)

Maximum #
= of controllers
(rounded down)

EXAMPLE
100 VA
= 6.67
9 VA + 6 VA
or 6 controllers maximum

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To wire the U551

for power

Place the U551s power jumper in the Off position to prevent the controller from
powering up before you can verify the correct voltage.

Remove power from the 24 Vac transformer.

Pull the screw terminal connector from the controller's power terminals labeled Gnd
and 24 Vac.

Connect the transformer wires to the screw terminal connector.

Apply power to the transformer.

Measure the voltage at the U551s power input terminals to verify that the voltage is
within the operating range of 21.626.4 Vac.

Insert the screw terminal connector into the U551's power terminals.

Place the U551's power jumper in the On position. The Run LED blinks once every two
seconds until communication is established, then blinks twice per second when
operating normally.

To address the U551

You must give the U551 an address that is unique on the network. You can address the
U551 before or after you wire it for power.
1

If the U551 has been wired for power, place the power jumper in the Off position. The
controller reads the address each time you apply power to it.

Using the rotary switches, set the controller's address to match the address in
SiteBuilder. Set the Tens (10's) switch to the tens digit of the address, and set the
Ones (1's) switch to the ones digit.
NOTE To find the address in SiteBuilder, open the Equipment Properties dialog box
for the equipment controlled by the U551. The U551's address is in the Object
Instance field.
EXAMPLE If the controllers address is 25, point the arrow on the Tens (10's) switch
to 2 and the arrow on the Ones (1's) switch to 5.
10's
7 8

7 8

2 34

2 34

U551 Controller Rev. 9/8/2011

1's
9 0

9 0

2011 Automated Logic Corporation

Wiring for communications

The U551 resides on a Unet. A Unet is usually comprised of U line controllers controlled by
a UNI controller.
The U551 communicates with:

The CMnet through the UNI controller at the baud rate that you set for the UNI.

Other controllers on the Unet using BACnet MS/TP protocol over EIA-485 twisted pair
wire.

Network
protection and
signal strength

Place a PROT485 within 250 feet of any U line controller on the Unet for surge protection.
If you have frequent electrical surges from storms, use more PROT485s. If the entire Unet
is less than 250 feet, place at least one PROT485 at the opposite end of the network
from the UNI. Make sure that all controllers and the PROT485 use the same polarity
throughout the Unet. Use a REP485 after every 32 controllers or 3,000 feet to maintain
signal strength. See the PROT485 Technical Instructions and REP485 Technical
Instructions (http://accounts.automatedlogic.com).

Wiring
specifications

Automated Logic Corporation recommends using a single cable for power and
communication on the Unet. The cable contains a pair of 14 AWG wires for power and a
pair of 22 AWG unshielded wires for communication. See Wiring for power (page 3) for
Unet wiring specifications.

To wire the
U551 for
communications

Place the U551's power jumper in the Off position.

Check the communications wiring for shorts and grounds.

Connect the Unet communication wires to the Unet Port.

Place the U551's power jumper in the On position.

Download the UNI to have WebCTRL recognize the U551.

Verify that the controller is communicating.

a) On WebCTRL's NET tree, click the plus sign (+) to the left of the UNI.
b) Click the plus sign (+) to the left of the UNI's Driver page.
c) Select the U-Card Status page for the U551. If the U551 is communicating, the
Online status for its control program (PRG) is checked.

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Wiring inputs and outputs

Wiring
specifications

Input wiring
Input

Maximum length

Minimum gauge

Shielding

Thermistor
Dry contact

1000 feet
(305 meters)

22 AWG

Shielded

05 Vdc

1000 feet
(305 meters)

26 AWG

Shielded

LogiStat

See Wiring a LogiStat sensor to the U551 (page 8).

Output wiring
To size output wiring, consider the following:

To wire inputs
and outputs

Total loop distance from the power supply to the controller, and then to the controlled
device
NOTE Include the total distance of actual wire. For 2-conductor wires, this is twice the
cable length.

Acceptable voltage drop in the wire from the controller to the controlled device

Resistance (Ohms) of the chosen wire gauge

Maximum current (Amps) the controlled device requires to operate

NOTE If you are using Flow #2 on a UDF with the U551, you cannot use IN-3.
1

Verify that the U551's power and communications connections work properly.

Place the U551's power jumper in the Off position.

Connect the input wiring to the screw terminals on the U551.

NOTE Connect the shield wire to the GND terminal with the ground wire.
IN

Thermistor

Gnd

IN-1, 2, or 3

Dry
contact

2 wire

V+

Any input

Gnd

0-5 Vdc

Out

IN-1, 2, or 3
n/c Gnd

3 wire

4 wir e
24 Vdc
half-wave
power
supply

U551 Controller Rev. 9/8/2011

V+

Out
0-5 Vdc

Out +

V+
Gnd

Gnd

0-5 Vdc

Out -

IN-1, 2, or 3
Gnd
IN-1, 2, or 3
Gnd

2011 Automated Logic Corporation

If an input is to accept 05 Vdc signals, remove the jumper to the right of the input's
terminals.

Connect the digital output wiring to the screw terminals on the U551 and to the
controlled device.

Any DO

Motor

Any DO

Any DO

Valve

Bus
24 Vac

Connect the analog output wiring to the screw terminals on the U551 and to the
controlled device.
Gnd
Any AO

0-10 V

Place the U551's power jumper in the On position.

Wiring a LogiStat sensor to the U551

You can wire a LogiStat sensor to the U551's Lstat port. See the following sections for
wiring instructions. For other details, see the LogiStat Sensors Technical Instructions
(http://accounts.automatedlogic.com).

LogiStat wiring
specifications

Use 22 AWG, unshielded wire, maximum length 100 feet (30 meters).

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To wire a LogiStat
sensor

Place the U551's power jumper in the Off position.

Connect the LogiStat's terminals to the terminals of the same name on the U551's
LogiStat port.

A. Insert wire
into opening

Place the U551's power jumper in the On position.

To assign inputs or outputs to points

To use an input or output, you must assign it to its corresponding point in the control
program.
1

In WebCTRL's GEO tree, select the equipment controlled by the U551.

On the Properties page, select the I/O Points tab.

In each point's Num field, type the number of the controller's corresponding input or
output.
NOTES

Exp (expander number) is 00 for the U551.

To use the temperature input (Temp) and setpoint input (Sw) for a purpose other
than a LogiStat, type 16 as the input number for Temp and 17 for Sw. For
example, if you use the U551's Sw input for the point Fan S/S, type 17 in the
Num field for Fan S/S.

Do not assign the same output number to more than one point.

Enter the appropriate values for each input and output in the remaining columns. See
Input values, Output values, Resolution values and Offset/Polarity values below.
NOTE You can also enter these values in EIKON LogicBuilder.

If you have not performed the initial download to the UNI controller, you must
download now so you can verify inputs and outputs.

To verify each input's operation, force each sensor to a known value, then compare it
to the Value shown on the Properties page on the I/O Points tab.

To verify each output's operation, lock each output to a known condition on the I/O
Points tab, then verify that the equipment operates correctly.

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Input values

Input

I/O Type

Sensor/Actuator Type

Min/Max

0-5 Vdc

05 Volt

Linear Full Range

Engineering values
associated with 0 Vdc
(Min) and 5 Vdc (Max)1

Thermistor

Thermistor

Select your Thermistor type

or set up and select a NonLinear, Custom Table2

N/A

N/A

N/A

Analog (BAI)

Digital (Binary) (BBI)

Dry Contact

Output values

Dry Contact

The sensor reads a value and sends a corresponding signal (Volt, mA, or psi) to the U551's
physical input. The Analog Input microblock uses the Min and Max values to linearly translate the
signal into the engineering value used in subsequent control logic. For example, set Min to 0 and
Max to 10 for a 420 mA sensor that measures velocity from 0.0 to 10.0 inches/second so that
when the input reads 4 mA, the microblock outputs a value of 0. Similarly, when the input reads 8
mA, the microblock outputs a value of 2.5.

You can set up a custom translation table on the driver's Custom Translation Tables pages in
WebCTRL.

Output

I/O Type

Sensor/Actuator Type

Min/Max

0-10 Vdc

Electrical
010 Volt

Linear Full Range

Engineering values
associated with 0 Vdc
(Min) and 10 Vdc (Max)1

2-10 Vdc

Electrical
010 Volt

Linear w/Offset,
210 Volts

Engineering values
associated with 2 Vdc
(Min) and 10 Vdc (Max)1

N/A

N/A

Analog (BAO)

Digital (Binary) (BBO)

Relay
1

Relay/Triac
Output

The Analog Output microblock uses the Min and Max values to linearly translate its EIKON
LogicBuilder wire value into a physical output signal (Volt, mA, or psi) sent from the U551 to an
actuator. For example, set Min to 0 and Max to 100 for an Analog Output microblock that
receives a 0 to 100% open signal from a PID microblock and that controls a 010 Vdc actuator
so that when the PID signal is 100%, the U551 output is 10 Vdc. Similarly, when the PID signal is
50%, the U551 output is 5 Vdc.

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Resolution values

Resolution is not particular to a type of input or output, but the driver handles analog and
digital (binary) inputs and outputs differently. To set these values appropriately, you
should understand how the driver uses them.
Resolution

Notes

Analog Input
(BAI)

The driver truncates the microblock's present value according to the

resolution.
EXAMPLE If the calculated present value is 13.789 and you set the
Resolution to 0.1, the control program uses 13.7 for any calculations
downstream from the microblock.

Analog Output
(BAO)

The driver truncates the wire input value to the microblock before
performing any scaling calculations.
EXAMPLE If the wire input value is 13.789 and you set the
Resolution to 0.1, the microblock uses 13.7 for any scaling
calculations.

Digital Inputs
and Outputs

Offset/Polarity
values

N/A

Offset/Polarity is not particular to a type of input or output, but the driver handles analog
and digital (binary) inputs and outputs differently. To set these values appropriately, you
should understand how the driver uses them.
Offset/Polarity

Notes

Analog Input
(BAI)

Offset value (positive or negative) adds a fine adjustment to a sensor

reading after all scaling for calibration.
EXAMPLE If a sensor reads 74.9F when the actual measured value
is 73.6F, enter an Offset of 1.3 to calibrate the sensor to the
measured value.

Analog Output
(BAO)

You can use the Offset value (positive or negative) to calibrate an

output, but you generally do not need to. If used, the driver adds the
offset value to the wire input value before performing any scaling
calculations to determine the U551's output.

Digital (Binary)
Input (BBI)

Polarity determines the microblock's present value when no signal is

received from the equipment.
When no signal is received from the equipment, if Polarity is set to:
normalpresent value is off
reversedpresent value is on

Digital (Binary)
Output (BBO)

Polarity determines the U551's output based on the control

program's signal to the microblock.
When the control program's signal to the microblock is on, if Polarity
is set to:
normaloutput is on
reversedoutput is off
NOTE Regardless of Polarity, the output will be off if the U551 loses
power.

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Using flow sensors

In a single duct system, the U551 controls airflow in the zone using a USF flow sensor and
an actuator connected to two digital outputs.
In a dual duct system, the U551 controls airflow in the zone using a UDF flow sensor and
two actuators, with each actuator connected to two digital outputs.

To connect duct
tubes to the flow
sensor

USF
1

Connect the ducts total pressure tube to the USF's High connector.

Connect the ducts static pressure tube to the USF's Low connector.

UDF
Follow the procedure for a USF, but connect one duct's tubes to the UDF's Flow #1
connectors and the other duct's tubes to the UDF's Flow #2 connectors.

To wire the flow

sensor to the
U551

Use the cable included with the flow sensor (ALC part #235012) or a 20 AWG, 4conductor cable, maximum length 4 feet (1.22 meters).
1

Turn off the controller's power.

Do one of the following:

If using the cable included with the flow sensor, connect one end of the cable to
the flow sensor's 4-pin connector and the other end of the cable to the
controller's 4-pin flow sensor connector.

If using a different cable:

To this terminal on
the flow sensor...

Wire this terminal on

the controller...

Flow 2

GND

+10V

Flow 1

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If using Flow #2 on the UDF with a U551, remove the W4 jumper from the U551 so
that IN-3 cannot be used for any other purpose.
IN-1
W2

W3

Gnd
IN-2
Gnd

W4

IN-3
Gnd

Remove
W4 jumper

To set up the
U-Line Airflow
Control
microblock

The U551's control program must include one U-Line Airflow Control microblock for a
single duct system or two of the microblocks for a dual duct system. You must set up the
U-Line Airflow Control microblock for each flow sensor.

For a single duct system

1

In WebCTRL, on the control program's Logic page, select the U-Line Airflow Control
microblock.

On the Details tab in the Configuration field, select U551 or U253 using USF or UDF,
D01, D02.

For a dual duct system

1

In WebCTRL, on the control program's Logic page, select the U-Line Airflow Control
microblock for Flow #1.

On the Details tab in the Flow Loop # field, select Primary.

In the Configuration field, select U551 or U253 using USF or UDF, D01, D02.

On the Logic page, select the U-Line Airflow Control microblock for Flow #2.

On the Details tab in the Flow Loop # field, select Secondary.

In the Configuration field, select U551 using UDF2, D03, D04.

NOTE When performing test and balance, go to the U-Line Airflow Control microblock's
Properties page Details tab in WebCTRL, then follow the instructions under Calibration to
ensure accurate readings.

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Troubleshooting
If you have problems mounting, wiring, or addressing the U551, contact ALC Technical
Support.

LED's

The LED's on the U551 show the status of certain functions.

If this LED is on...

Status is...

Power

The U551 has power

Rx

The U551 is receiving data from the network segment

Tx

The U551 is transmitting data over the network segment

DO#

The digital output is active

The Run and Error LED's indicate controller and network status.
If this LED...

Shows...

Status is...

Run

2 flashes per second

Normal

5 flashes per second

Transferring firmware

1 flash every 2 seconds

Auto-detecting baud rate

2 flashes per second

Firmware error. Download the controller to

correct.

On

Hardware failure

Error

Serial number

If you need the U551's serial number when troubleshooting, the number is on a sticker on
the back of the main controller board.

FCC Compliance
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a
commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction
manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the
user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
CAUTION Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the responsible party for
compliance could void the users authority to operate the equipment.

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