Newbie: hooking (wiring) SSROZ with Renard64 XC5

[Chaz]

I need to know the correct way of connecting everything together. I've searched the fourms and Wiki without success.

I've purchased two Ren64 and 32 SSROZ boards from Wjohn.

I've completed my first Ren64 XC5 board, including programming the PICs and 6 of SSRs.

Questions:
1. Am correct to understand each SSR supports four channels? (16 RJ45 jacks X 4 channels = 64 total channels per board)

1.5 Is there a limit as to how many Ren64's I can have?

2. Is there a way to daisy chain the data aspect, eliminating the need to have each SSR Ethernet cable make a homerun back to the Ren64 board?

3. Am I correct to understand from the SSR schematic, that the HOT (black) 110VAC wire connects to one screw terminal AND the white (neutral)110VAC wire gets connected to ground? If so, what is a suggested place to connect the ground?

4. Am I correct to understand the the remaining screw terminals are the HOT (black) side of the SSR output for the HOT wire, for channels 1-4 that could go to four isolated Christmas light strings; and that the neutral (white) for each of these strings is tapped from the same ground that goes to the SSR board?

Thanks very much!

[Macrosill]

I need to know the correct way of connecting everything together. I've searched the fourms and Wiki without success.

I've purchased two Ren64 and 32 SSROZ boards from Wjohn.

I've completed my first Ren64 XC5 board, including programming the PICs and 6 of SSRs.

Questions:
1. Am correct to understand each SSR supports four channels? (16 RJ45 jacks X 4 channels = 64 total channels per board)

1.5 Is there a limit as to how many Ren64's I can have?

2. Is there a way to daisy chain the data aspect, eliminating the need to have each SSR Ethernet cable make a homerun back to the Ren64 board?

3. Am I correct to understand from the SSR schematic, that the HOT (black) 110VAC wire connects to one screw terminal AND the white (neutral)110VAC wire gets connected to ground? If so, what is a suggested place to connect the ground?

4. Am I correct to understand the the remaining screw terminals are the HOT (black) side of the SSR output for the HOT wire, for channels 1-4 that could go to four isolated Christmas light strings; and that the neutral (white) for each of these strings is tapped from the same ground that goes to the SSR board?

Thanks very much!

Lets go 1 at a time.

1. You are correct.

1.5 This answer is dependent on a couple of factors, cable lengths and baud rate, serial ports and usb ports.

2. Not with the Ren 64 and the remote ssrs. You can "Daisychain" things if you use a Renard with onboard relays, such as the Ren 16 or 24. Alternatively a DMX system would do the same. But the Ren 64 is designed to utilize the remote ssrs.

3. Yes and no. The "hot" or black conductor from the 120v feed goes to the screw terminal on the ssr board. The neutral or white conductor does not connect to the "ground". The neutral wire connects to the neutral conductors of the output cords or light strings off the ssr pcb with a wire nut or other mechanical connection, just like a standard electrical connection.

4. You are correct about the "hot" conductors for the 4 channels. As to the neutrals refer back to answer 3.

[g2ktcf]

1. You are correct
2. The limits on the number of channels depends on distance, baud rate and refresh rate. There is more info on this in the Wiki
3. Sorry, No.
4. The NEUTRALS of the incoming power to the SSR and the output NEUTRALS of the power out to the plugs are all connected together via a wire nut. This also serves as ground.

Hope this helps,
Chris

PS I have the EXACT same system running right now....

[Chaz]

Ahhh....

I think my light bulb finally went off, so to speak!

Am I correct to understand that the neutral wire never goes near the SSR board, that it gets connected to my light string?

That seems to make sense, while allowing me to use a common neutral wire, with nearby SSRs, as long as the current rating for the neutral wire is not exceeded.

Can the SSR handle a 20A load? Greater than 20A?

[g2ktcf]

the loads on the SSRz need to be less than 1A per channel without heatsinks on the Triacs...with heatsinks you can go higher. Maybe someone will chime in with a value.

I connect all four channel neutrals and my power neutral together with a wire nut IN the SSR (under the board). I would not daisey chain these but you can. Keep in mind that the total amperage on the power cords is important (13A for my SPT2 cords).

[ukewarrior]

SSR Amperage:

The whole SSRoz can handle 4 amps and perhaps 5. It's been spec'd for 4.
That why you use a 4 amp fuse.
So, the max of each triac/light circuit added together is this value.

Individual triacs CAN handle more then 1 amp if heatsinked.
However, added together, they can't exceed the value of the whole SSRoz.

Why the restriction? While each Triac can handle 2 or 3 amps, the traces on the SSRoz board can only handle the 4/5 amp total.

[Chaz]

Thanks guys for not only the answers, but an explanation as well!

Thinking back to my SSROZ current question, I realize now how silly the question was and that I should of thought about the 4A fuse. (dah!)