FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub: A User-Friendly and Versatile Software Package for Facility Explorer Field Controllers
FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub: A Comprehensive Guide
If you are looking for a software package that can help you program, configure, test, download, and commission Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) applications for all Facility Explorer Field Controllers, then you might want to check out FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub. This is a Microsoft Windows based software package that comprises FX Builder, FX CommPro, and other tools/utilities that can make your job easier and faster. In this article, we will explain what FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub is, how to install it, how to use it, and what are the benefits of using it.
Fx Tools Johnson Controls.epub
What is FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub?
FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub is a file format that contains the FX Tools Software Package. This package includes two main tools that are essential for working with Facility Explorer Field Controllers: FX Loader Utility and FX CommPro LON Tool. Let's take a closer look at each of these tools.
FX Tools Software Package
The FX Tools Software Package is a collection of software tools that can help you program, configure, test, download, and commission HVACR applications for all Facility Explorer Field Controllers. The package includes the following components:
FX Builder a graphical programming tool that allows you to create control applications using function blocks.
FX CommPro a communication tool that allows you to connect to Facility Explorer Field Controllers via N2 Open or LONWORKS protocols.
FX Loader a utility tool that allows you to download control application software, operating system firmware, and communication card firmware into the target FX controllers.
FX Simulator a simulation tool that allows you to test control applications without connecting to real devices.
FX Workbench a web-based user interface that allows you to access and manage Facility Explorer Field Controllers remotely.
Other utilities such as FX Alarm Viewer, FX Backup/Restore Utility, FX Device Configuration Utility, etc.
The FX Tools Software Package can be installed from a CD-ROM or downloaded from the Johnson Controls website. The file format of the package is .epub, which stands for electronic publication. This is a widely used format for digital books and documents that can be read on various devices and platforms.
FX Loader Utility
FX Loader is a simple and easy-to-use utility that is used to download control application software, operating system firmware, and communication card firmware into the target FX controllers. N2 Open or LONWORKS can be selected as the download protocol. The controller needs to have the appropriate communication card fitted in order to be able to accept download. The graphical user interface provides an easy check-box selection of the target controller and of the control application software or firmware to be downloaded.
FX Loader can be used to download the following types of files:
Application file (*.APD) contains the control application software created by FX Builder.
Operating system file (*.OSF) contains the operating system firmware for the FX controller.
Communication card file (*.CCF) contains the communication card firmware for the FX controller.
FX Loader can also be used to perform the following tasks:
View the current status of the FX controller, such as device type, device address, firmware version, etc.
Reset the FX controller to factory default settings.
Erase the control application software from the FX controller.
Verify the integrity of the downloaded files.
FX CommPro LON Tool
FX CommPro LON is the tool for commissioning the Facility Explorer series of HVACR controllers with a LONWORKS network. It allows you to connect to FX controllers via a LONWORKS network interface, such as a PCC-10 or PCLTA-10/20 card. It also allows you to perform various tasks, such as:
Discover and identify FX controllers on the network.
View and modify network variables and configuration properties of FX controllers.
Bind and unbind network variables between FX controllers and other devices on the network.
Monitor and log network variable values and network traffic.
Troubleshoot and diagnose network problems and errors.
FX CommPro LON has a user-friendly interface that consists of a menu bar, a tool bar, a network view, a single item view, a display view, and a status bar. It also has device status indicators that show the online/offline status, service pin status, and error status of each FX controller on the network.
How to Install FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub?
To install FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you need to have a PC that meets the following minimum requirements:
Operating system: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10
Processor: Pentium III 800 MHz or higher
Memory: 256 MB RAM or higher
Disk space: 500 MB or higher
Display: 1024 x 768 pixels or higher
CD-ROM drive: required for installation from CD-ROM
LONWORKS network interface: required for connecting to LONWORKS devices
The installation process consists of three main steps: installing FX Loader Utility, installing FX CommPro LON Tool, and installing LONWORKS Network Interfaces. Let's go through each step in detail.
Installing FX Loader Utility
To install FX Loader Utility, follow these steps:
Close all open programs on your PC.
Insert the FX Tools CD-ROM into your PC CD-ROM drive. The auto-run feature should start automatically. If it does not, select Autorun.exe to start it manually. The CD-ROM Navigator will appear.
Click on the Software menu for a list of corresponding options to choose from. Select FX Loader on the Utility and Driver menu and InstallShield Wizard will appear and guide you through the installation.
Click on Next to continue. The software Destination Location window will appear. To install the program in a directory other than the default directory shown in the Destination Folder box, click on the Browse button. Choose a different directory and then click on Next.
In the dialog boxes that subsequently appear, you will be asked to select the destination folder for the program and check the setup information. Then the Setup Status window will appear. When the FX Loader installation is complete, click on Finish to reconfirm and exit the Software section and the CD Navigator.
Note: Do not rename the program directory after the program has been installed.
Installing FX CommPro LON Tool
To install FX CommPro LON Tool, follow these steps:
Close all open programs on your PC.
Insert the FX Tools CD-ROM into your PC CD-ROM drive. The auto-run feature should start automatically. If it does not, select Autorun.exe to start it manually. The CD-ROM Navigator will appear.
Installing LONWORKS Network Interfaces
To connect to LONWORKS devices, you need to have a LONWORKS network interface installed on your PC. There are different types of network interfaces available, such as PCC-10 (PC card), PCLTA-10/20 (PCI card), SLTA-10 (serial adapter), or i.LON 100 (Internet server). In this section, we will focus on the installation of PCC-10 and PCLTA-10/20 cards, which are the most commonly used network interfaces for FX CommPro LON Tool.
Installing the PCC-10 Card in a Laptop Computer
To install the PCC-10 card in a laptop computer, follow these steps:
Turn off the laptop computer and disconnect it from any power source.
Insert the PCC-10 card into an available PC card slot on the laptop computer.
Connect the laptop computer to a power source and turn it on.
Windows will detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver. Insert the FX Tools CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions on the screen to install the driver.
When the driver installation is complete, Windows will assign a COM port number to the PCC-10 card. You can check the COM port number by going to Device Manager and expanding the Ports (COM & LPT) category.
Installing the PCLTA-10/20 PCI Card in a Desktop Computer
To install the PCLTA-10/20 PCI card in a desktop computer, follow these steps:
Turn off the desktop computer and disconnect it from any power source.
Open the computer case and locate an available PCI slot on the motherboard.
Remove the metal bracket that covers the PCI slot and insert the PCLTA-10/20 card into the slot. Secure the card with a screw or clip.
Close the computer case and reconnect it to a power source.
Turn on the desktop computer. Windows will detect the new hardware and prompt you to install the driver. Insert the FX Tools CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions on the screen to install the driver.
When the driver installation is complete, Windows will assign a COM port number to the PCLTA-10/20 card. You can check the COM port number by going to Device Manager and expanding the Ports (COM & LPT) category.
Configuring the PCC-10 or PCLTA-10/20 Card
To configure the PCC-10 or PCLTA-10/20 card, follow these steps:
Go to Start > Programs > Echelon OpenLDV > OpenLDV Network Driver Configuration Utility. The OpenLDV Network Driver Configuration Utility window will appear.
Select your network interface from the list of available devices and click on Properties. The Properties window will appear.
In the General tab, you can change the device name and description if you want.
In the Advanced tab, you can change the network parameters, such as domain ID, node ID, baud rate, transceiver type, etc. Make sure that these parameters match with those of your LONWORKS network.
In the Diagnostics tab, you can test your network interface by sending and receiving packets.
Click on OK to save your changes and close the Properties window.
Connecting to LONWORKS Network
the cable to the PCC-10 or PCLTA-10/20 card on your PC. Connect the other end of the cable to a LONWORKS network device, such as an FX controller. You can connect up to 64 devices on a single network segment. If you need to connect more devices or extend the network length, you can use repeaters or routers.
LONWORKS network supports different types of wiring topology. Some network segments such as the TP/FT-10 and TP/XF-1250 require termination for proper data transmission performance. Free topology and bus network topology differ in their termination requirements. The following sections describe the various network topologies, their terminator types, and termination procedures.
Bus Topology
Bus topology is a linear arrangement of devices connected by a single cable. The cable has two ends that must be terminated with resistors to prevent signal reflection. The terminator type for bus topology is a 100 ohm resistor across the twisted pair wires. Figure 4 shows an example of bus topology.
Figure 4: Bus Topology
To terminate a bus network segment, follow these steps:
Locate the two ends of the cable.
Connect a 100 ohm resistor across the twisted pair wires at each end of the cable.
Make sure that there are no other terminators or devices connected between the two ends of the cable.
Free Topology
Free topology is a flexible arrangement of devices connected by multiple cables that can branch and loop in any direction. The cable has no ends that need to be terminated. The terminator type for free topology is a capacitor across the twisted pair wires. Figure 5 shows an example of free topology.
Figure 5: Free Topology
To terminate a free network segment, follow these steps:
Locate any point on the cable where you want to terminate the network segment.
Connect a capacitor across the twisted pair wires at that point. The capacitor value depends on the transceiver type and cable length. Refer to the Echelon documentation for more details.
Make sure that there are no other terminators or devices connected beyond that point on the cable.
How to Use FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub?
To use FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you need to have FX Loader Utility and FX CommPro LON Tool installed on your PC. You also need to have a LONWORKS network interface and a twisted pair cable to connect to LONWORKS devices. In this section, we will explain how to use FX Loader Utility and FX CommPro LON Tool to perform various tasks with Facility Explorer Field Controllers.
Using FX Loader Utility
To use FX Loader Utility, follow these steps:
Go to Start > Programs > FX Tools > FX Loader. The FX Loader startup window will appear.
Select the communication protocol based on the two protocols supported by the FX platform devices: LON or N2 Open.
If you select LON, the current setting of the COM port will appear. Click on the Setting button to access the settings window and modify the COM port parameters. The only parameters editable are the COM port selection and the Device Address.
If you select N2 Open, you will be prompted to enter your user name and password for accessing Metasys system database. Enter your credentials and click on OK.
The FX Loader main window will appear. It consists of four tabs: Download, Status, Reset/Erase, and Verify.
In the Download tab, you can select the target FX controller and the file to be downloaded. You can also view the progress and status of the download process.
In the Status tab, you can view the current status of the FX controller, such as device type, device address, firmware version, etc.
In the Reset/Erase tab, you can reset the FX controller to factory default settings or erase the control application software from the FX controller.
In the Verify tab, you can verify the integrity of the downloaded files by comparing them with the original files.
Using FX CommPro LON Tool
To use FX CommPro LON Tool, follow these steps:
Go to Start > Programs > FX Tools > FX CommPro LON. The FX CommPro LON main window will appear.
Select your network interface from the list of available devices and click on Connect. The network interface will be initialized and connected to the LONWORKS network.
The network view will show all the devices that are discovered on the network. You can use the toolbar buttons to refresh, expand, collapse, or filter the network view.
Double-click on any device to open its single item view. The single item view will show all the network variables and configuration properties of that device. You can use the toolbar buttons to read, write, bind, unbind, or monitor the network variables and configuration properties.
Select any device and click on Display to open its display view. The display view will show a graphical representation of that device and its network variables. You can use the toolbar buttons to customize, save, print, or export the display view.
The status bar will show the current status of your network interface, such as online/offline, service pin, error, etc. You can also use the status bar to access the network diagnostics and logging features.
What are the Benefits of FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub?
FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub is a powerful and versatile software package that can help you with various aspects of working with Facility Explorer Field Controllers. Some of the benefits of using FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub are:
Easy and Flexible Programming
With FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you can use FX Builder to create control applications using function blocks. Function blocks are graphical symbols that represent common control functions, such as timers, PID loops, logic gates, etc. You can drag and drop function blocks from a library and connect them with wires to create control logic. You can also customize function blocks by changing their parameters and properties. You can test your control applications using FX Simulator without connecting to real devices. You can also use FX Workbench to access and manage your control applications remotely via a web browser.
Efficient and Reliable Commissioning
With FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you can use FX Loader to download control application software, operating system firmware, and communication card firmware into the target FX controllers. You can also use FX Loader to view the current status of the FX controllers, reset them to factory default settings, erase them from control application software, or verify their integrity. You can also use FX CommPro LON Tool to connect to FX controllers via a LONWORKS network interface and perform various tasks, such as discovering and identifying devices, viewing and modifying network variables and configuration properties, binding and unbinding network variables between devices, monitoring and logging network variable values and network traffic, troubleshooting and diagnosing network problems and errors.
Enhanced Network Performance and Troubleshooting
With FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you can use FX CommPro LON Tool to monitor and analyze your LONWORKS network performance and troubleshoot any network issues. You can use the network diagnostics feature to perform various tests, such as ping test, service pin test, error test, etc. You can also use the network logging feature to record and view network variable values and network traffic over time. You can export the log files to CSV or XML formats for further analysis.
Conclusion
FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub is a comprehensive software package that can help you program, configure, test, download, and commission HVACR applications for all Facility Explorer Field Controllers. It consists of FX Builder, FX CommPro, FX Loader, and other tools/utilities that provide easy and flexible programming, efficient and reliable commissioning, and enhanced network performance and troubleshooting. It also supports various communication protocols, such as N2 Open, LONWORKS, and BACnet, and various network topologies, such as bus and free topology. With FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub, you can create and manage your HVACR control applications with ease and confidence.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub:
What are the system requirements for FX Tools Johnson Controls.epub?
You need to have a PC that meets the following minimum requirements: operating system: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10; processor: Pentium III 800 MHz or higher; memory: 256 MB RAM or higher; disk space: 500 MB or higher; display: 1024 x 768 pixels or higher; CD-ROM drive: required for installation from CD-ROM; LONWORKS network interface: required for connec