ALPHA2 QUICK START MANUAL

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7.1 BLOCK AVAILABILITY

• The number of System Inputs and Outputs is determined by the type

of controller being programmed. Configurations include 6 In/4 Out, 8

In/6 Out and 15 In/9 Out.

• Up to 200 Function Blocks can be used in a program or 5000 bytes

of memory. The Function Blocks must be added in the course of

programming.

• The 8 Keys and the 24 system M bits are automatically available for

every program.

• Inputs, Outputs, System Memory Bits, Extended Inputs, Extended

Outputs, AS-i Outputs, Control Bits, and Keys do not count in the

Function Block total.

7.2 CONNECTING BLOCKS

• Any block that has an output pin can be connected to any block that

has an (unused) input pin.

• System Inputs, Keys, and Memory M bits have output pins only.

• Function Blocks and Outputs both contain input and output pins (the

Display and TimeSwitch Blocks are exceptions).

• Blocks can be connected beginning with an output pin, from “left to

right” on the display, or beginning with an input pin, from “right to left”

on the display.

7.2.1 To connect the blocks from the left to right

1. Select the block providing the data to be output and move to the

right until the output pin is flashing. Press the “+” button to “add” a

block.

2. Choices will appear on the right side of the screen that include

System Outputs (if available), existing Function Blocks that have free

input pins, and the option to add a new function block (AddFB, see

section 7.4.2). Scroll to the preferred option and select using the “OK”

key.

3. The block accepting the signal will display as many of its input pins

as possible. Pins that have been used will show as filled triangles;

pins that are open will show as “>” signs. A “Connect” prompt will

appear on-screen. The current input choice will flash. Scroll to

the desired pin and press the “OK” key to accept. The process is

complete.

7.2.2 To connect the blocks from the right to left

1. Select the block that will be receiving the signal and move left until

an input pin is flashing. Scroll to the desired unused input pin (“>”).

Press the “+” key to begin the connection process.

2. Because output pins may have multiple connections, all the Keys,

Function Blocks, System Inputs, Outputs will show on the left of the

screen as well as an option to “AddFB”. Scroll to the preferred option

and Press the “OK” key.

3. The chosen connection will be flashing on-screen along with the

“Connect” prompt. Press the “OK” key to accept.

7.3 DISCONNECT TWO BLOCKS

1. Move to the connection that is to be disconnected.

2. Enter “-” as the disconnect command.

3. A “Disconnect” prompt will appear on-screen. Press the “OK” key to

accept the disconnect

7.4 METHODS TO CREATE A FUNCTION BLOCK

7.4.1 New FB

To use the New FB option, proceed to the Edit Menu (Chapter 6.4)

using the “ESC” key. Scroll to the New FB option and press the “OK”

key. Scroll to the desired Function Block and press the “OK” key to

create a New FB. The block will appear on the Function Block Diagram

board.

7.4.2 AddFB

When connecting a Function Block, scroll to the AddFB prompt and

press the “OK” key. This invokes the Function Block list. Scroll to the

desired Function Block and choose by pressing the “OK” key. The

Function Block will be shown on the screen with the connecting block.

7.5 FUNCTION BLOCK EDITING

7.5.1 Setup Function Block

Each Function Block has its own individual parameters outlined in

Chapter 9. The Function Blocks might have multiple data screens that

can be altered. As with other menu options, the “ESC” key will move

the screen back to a higher menu option without changing the option

parameters for that screen. If there are multiple data screens in an

option, enter the required data and accept each screen using the “OK”

key. Use the “ESC” key to exit the Function Block.

7.5.2 Change No. of a Function Block

The current FB number is shown on-screen when the option is

selected. Scroll up or down with the “+” or “-” keys to find an open FB

number. Press the “OK” key to accept the new number.

7.5.3 Delete FB

This menu option will Delete the current Function Block. After the

Delete FB is chosen, confirm the delete operation with “OK” or use the

“ESC” key to cancel the function. All connections to the Function Block

will be removed with the block.

7.6 MOVEMENT BETWEEN FUNCTION BLOCKS

7.6.1 Movement Between Unconnected Blocks

Movement between System Inputs, System Outputs, Keys, and M bits

can be accomplished with the “+” and “-” keys. When the block number

is flashing on-screen, press the “+” or “-“ key to scroll through the block

numbers. The scroll will go through to the next block after reaching the

highest or lowest number for that block.

7.6.2 Movement Between Connected Blocks

The arrow keys are used to move between connected blocks.

7.6.3 The Jump Command

• The “ESC” key can be used to enter the Edit Menu at any time when

a function block is displayed on the LCD screen. (The “ESC” key will

cancel in-process commands first. Keep pressing the “ESC” key until

the Edit Menu is displayed).

• From the Edit Menu, select the Jump Command. Choose any system

Memory Bit, Input, Output, Key, AS-i Input, AS-i Output, Extended

Input, Extended Output, or existing Function Block by using the front

panel keys.

• Press “OK” to “Jump” to the chosen block in the programming mode.

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