HAI UPB Install

At this point I am leaning toward using HAI UPB for my lighting solution. I currently have a OmniIIe installed. Are these the correct components I need to get my lights off the ground:

1) UPB Powerline Interface 36A00-1 - Interfaces HAI to the electrical infrastructure
2) Cable to connect the Interface to the OmniIIe board Unknown part Number
3) PC Access Software (Installer version) Unknown part number - Used to configure the switches?
4) Assorted switches as needed

So, I would plug the Interface in, connect it to the board, install a switch, then use the PC Access software to set up the switch? Would it at that point show up in Snaplink/H@me?

Thanks in advance for the help!

1) UPB Powerline Interface 36A00-1 - Interfaces HAI to the electrical infrastructure

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Correct! It also comes with the cable needed to connect to the IIe

2) Cable to connect the Interface to the OmniIIe board Unknown part Number

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See above.

3) PC Access Software (Installer version) Unknown part number - Used to configure the switches?

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1105W. Isn't used to configure the switches but very helpful in setting up the panel. You will need to name the switches and this will make your life easier.

4) Assorted switches as needed

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Commonly used part numbers below.
35A00-1 - 600W Dimmer
38A00-1 - Scene Controller
38A00-1 - House Controller
40A00-1 - 15A Relay Switch

You may also need a phase coupler which is part number 39A00-1. Not all homes need a phase coupler but it is recommended for most installations.

So, I would plug the Interface in, connect it to the board, install a switch, then use the PC Access software to set up the switch? Would it at that point show up in Snaplink/H@me?

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Connect the cable from the PIM to the IIe via the supplied cable. Next open PC Access (1105W) and name all your switches under Setup > Names and Voices. When doing this be aware that the first unit of each "Room" (8 Units in a room) is reserved for a Scene Controller. If you don't have a Scene Controller you should just give it a generic name, IE Downstairs, Living Room, Outdoor Lighting, etc... (This applies to units 1, 9, 17, 25, 33, ....)

Next you want to set your House Codes to HAI Lighting. This can be done under Setup > Misc > Control. Each house code is 16 units (2 rooms of 8 Units).

Now under Setup > Installer > Expansion set the correct serial port function to UPB.

Once all that is done, download the file to the panel.

Now to configure a switch you first go put the switch into setup mode. This is done by taping the rocker 5 times quickly. The load should then flash once and the LED on the switch will begin to blink. Now go back to a keypad and hit the "6" button (Status) then "1" button (Control) and scroll down to the name of the light you just put into setup mode. Once there hit the "#" key twice to configure the switch.

EDIT: Just saw the last part of your question.

Would it at that point show up in Snaplink/H@me?

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The switches will actually show up in Snaplink/H@me as soon as name the switches and download them, however without configuring them properly they won't be functional.

Thanks for the detailed response!

Time to order and see what all I can break!

If you are looking for some books to help you understand how a lot of this fits together, try the book "UPB Home Control Manual" by Robert Bucceri. I found it very helpful when I got started. A lot of the material you get with parts tell you how to hook stuff up but it does not tell you why it works the way it does. This book helps along those lines. It also offers a lot of sample setups which will give you ideas on how you may want to set up your own system.

Anyone know where the "Upstart" software comes from? Is that needed for anything?

UpStart is used to fully configure UPB switches and run all kinds of tests, etc. I believe you can do basic config from within the HAI stuff, but here is a link for UpStart.

Keep in mind that, if it makes ordering any easier, the dimmers can be configured as switches (and vise versa) via UpStart. It makes it really easy if you switch out to CFL's or LED's or the like in a given fixture. Also, HLC sucks. Use UpStart. You have to be a bit creative but it allows for truly elegant control over scenes whereas HLC is a serious kludge. HAI most likely won't support your UpStart programming if you need it, though. Lastly, consider buying PCS UPB devices. HAI hasn't bothered to implement all the changes that GenII offers.

AnthonyZ said:

Keep in mind that, if it makes ordering any easier, the dimmers can be configured as switches (and vise versa) via UpStart. It makes it really easy if you switch out to CFL's or LED's or the like in a given fixture. Also, HLC sucks. Use UpStart. You have to be a bit creative but it allows for truly elegant control over scenes whereas HLC is a serious kludge. HAI most likely won't support your UpStart programming if you need it, though. Lastly, consider buying PCS UPB devices. HAI hasn't bothered to implement all the changes that GenII offers.

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A couple of questions:
1) So all UPB switches can be configured as a "switch" or a "dimmer"? That is pretty cool.
2) HLC is the HAI version of UPB switches?
3) Is PCS the authority that creaed UPB?
4) Could I use the HAI PIM with a special cable to connect to my PC and program using Upstart?

Thanks!

1) So all UPB switches can be configured as a "switch" or a "dimmer"? That is pretty cool.

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Correct. Just remember that relay switches will never be able to dim.

2) HLC is the HAI version of UPB switches?

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HLC is a lighting control format created by HAI to make the UPB installation easier on our panels. Anthony is correct that if you want extravagant scenes and such, it is much better to use UPStart to do your programming, however if you want it to be easy the HLC format is the way to go. With the HLC lighting format for most installations you would rarely, if ever, have to touch UPStart.

3) Is PCS the authority that creaed UPB?

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Yes, PCS is the creator of the UPB technology. However, all HAI switches are compliant with the specifications set up by PCS. Also, unlike what Anthony said above, all current HAI switches are GenII compliant.

4) Could I use the HAI PIM with a special cable to connect to my PC and program using Upstart?

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Yes. You could either build the adapter/cable yourself or use HAI part number 36A05-2.

In addition if you do not like the HLC lighting format for your UPB installation HAI does support UPStart for all HAI Lighting Devices.

JamesF said:

Yes, PCS is the creator of the UPB technology. However, all HAI switches are compliant with the specifications set up by PCS. Also, unlike what Anthony said above, all current HAI switches are GenII compliant.

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That is NOT what I said. I said that HAI has not implemented all of the features of GenII and they haven't. Yes, they are GenII compliant and it does make a big difference but PCS does offer more features (at a generally higher price).

JamesF said:

Yes. You could either build the adapter/cable yourself or use HAI part number 36A05-2.

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Do you know the pinout of a PIM to PC cable?

Lajaycee said:

Pinout For PIM

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Exactly what I needed, thanks!

Now that 3.0 has been released I pulled the trigger on PC Access, a UPB PIM, and a switch. Next thing will be 40 more switches maybe

Anyone know a good place to get a bulk deal on the switches?

I just started to connect a "test" UPB setup with three switches and a USB PIM. I also purchased the HAI OmniPro PIM. I used upstart and all went well. I can control one test switch with upstart. Trying to setup HAI PIM and having some issues. I programmed UPB switch per above. I get "finding module" then "Unknown module". If I try to turn on and off module via PCA or via console the UPB switch doesn't respond. I wonder what I am doing wrong. When I send a command via PCA I see the signal bar go all the way across (good signal). The UPB network address and password match what I have in Upstart. Any suggestions?