Long Range Wireless Relay Controller with 20 or 30 Amp Relays

NCD Long Range Wireless Relay Controller Boards

NCD Long Range Wireless Relay Controller boards make it easy for computers of all types to control high-current relays and monitor analog inputs wirelessly. NCD high-current relay boards allow you turn relays on or off, flash relays continuously, control relays for a duration of time, and control relays in groups using a cross-platform compatible long range wireless interface.  On-board relays support your choice of 20 Amp SPDT or 30 Amp SPST relays.  This wireless relay is a ProXR Lite series controller which is a widely adopted standard used by industry for many years.  Equipped with your choice of 1, 2, 4, or 8 on-board relays, the ProXR Lite series wireless Relay controllers suit the needs of most of our customers.  Integrated Analog to Digital Converters may be used to manually control the relays, or they may be used to read external sensors.  Equipped with 8 or 10-Bit resolution, the ADC built into NCD long range wireless relay controller boards add tremendous flexibility for various application requirements.

Long Range Wireless Communications

NCD Long Range Wireless Relay Controllers use the Digi.com 900HP-S3B communications module.  A USB modem is plugged into a computer and the relay controller is installed in a remote location, up to 2 miles away.  Your computer can be used to talk to the remote relay controller using our Free Base Station Software.  Base Station is designed to help you learn how to use our remote relay controllers.  Using optional high-gain antennas (not included) distances of 28 miles may be achieved in line of sight applications.  Indoor, urban, and non-line of site installations may not be able to achieve the rated range, as all ratings are determined in line of site applications only.  Customer testing is encouraged.  Since mesh networking is supported by the 900HP-S3B communications module, it is possible to “repeat” the wireless signal up to 8 times to extend the useful range.

Getting Started with NCD Relay Controllers

Start by downloading Base Station at https://ncd.io/start.  Plug in one of our 900HP-S3B lone range wireless relay controller and connect a long range wireless Modem to your computer. Run Base Station to access the remote device.  Base Station is a tool designed to teach you all the features built into your controller and provide you with example commands. A single Relay or multiple Relay controllers may be accessed through a single 900HP-S3B Modem which will mount as a virtual COM port on your PC via a USB connection.  Base Station was written for Windows using Visual Studio (source code available) and shows you all the commands you need for controlling relays and monitoring external sensors.

How to Order our S3B Relay Controller

Start by clicking the “Buy Now” button on the right.  Next, choose how many on-board relays you need (up to 8 in this series).  Select the relay options in the red box for 20-Amp SPDT or 30-Amp SPST mechanical relays.  Choose the type of 900HP-S3B interface connector you require and add a power supply if needed. You will also need an 900HP-S3B modem so that the computer can communicate to the remote board(s).

Need more Relays?

No Problem!  We have expandable ProXR Relay controller available if you need more relays, just click here.  Simply choose the 900HP-S3B option during checkout.  NCD ProXR series controllers are field serviceable with a very long production history adopted by the largest companies in the world!

ProXR Analog to Digital Inputs are used to Read External Sensors or Manually Control On-Board Relays

AD8 8-Channel 8/10-Bit Analog to Digital Converters

This controller is equipped with 8-Channels of 8/10-Bit Analog to Digital Converters, capable of reading analog voltages from 0 to 5 Volts DC.  The ADCs on this controller allow monitoring of external sensors or contact closure input detection.  Connect external temperature sensors, light sensors, current sensors, buttons, switches, or anything else that generates a 0-5VDC analog or contact closure output.  With 8-bit resolution, analog inputs will convert 0-5 Volt signals into a value from 0 to 255.  With 10-bit resolution, values of 0 to 1023 may be measured.  Input resolution is software selected.  Simply ask the controller for the analog value of each input, and the controller instantly responds.

Use the Relay Activator to Configure Analog Inputs for Direct Control of Relays

Relay Activator and Analog Inputs

The Relay Activator control panel allows analog inputs to directly control relays.  Simply connect the analog inputs to buttons or switches and trigger basic relay on or off functions to take manual control of the on-board relays.  The Relay Activator control panel allows you to define 8 functions for each of the 8 inputs.  Functions include turning relays on or off, toggling the state of relays, momentarily flash a relay, momentarily toggle the flashing function of a relay, turn all relays on, turn all relays off, and push notification events.  When push notification events are configured, the controller generates a packet of data every time the inputs change state.

Base Station Software Controlling NCD Relay Controllers

Base Station Software

Base Station Software was designed to help you learn the ProXR command set.  Explore ProXR features using our Graphical User Interface.  Watch data bytes flow to and from the board, so you easily understand the command execution process.  There is no faster or easier way to learn how to automate than Base Station, as it was designed to work  with our complete array of communication modules, including Wireless, Ethernet, USB, RS-232, and many more.  You only need a Windows 8 or 10 Computer to Run Base Station.  Base Station was written in Visual Studio, and we even provide the source code to help you on your way!

LabVIEW Relay Control Support Coming in 2018

We are pleased to announce that official LabVIEW relay control drivers will be supported beginning January of 2018.  This is our first official release of LabVIEW drivers for ProXR series Relay controllers!  We are finalizing the drivers and resources now.  We will post in the News section as well as the Learn section of our site as soon as we are ready.

LabVIEW ProXR Relay Drivers

ProXR Lite vs. ProXR Series

ProXR Lite controllers are smaller, surface-mounted variants of the ProXR Series relay controllers.  The firmware is nearly identical between the series with ProXR Lite being limited to 8 relays.  Only the ProXR series includes a XR expansion port for relay expansion.  ProXR Lite controllers are a lower-cost alternative to ProXR because they are machine manufactured in larger quantities.  ProXR series controllers are currently manufactured with through-hole technology and socketed chips, making them field serviceable.  ProXR Lite controllers are available with little as 1 or 2 relays while ProXR Series focuses on applications that require 4 or more relays.

ProXR Lite Communication Options

We take communications seriously, as we believe in a modular communications and firmware that properly supports scalability into future interface technologies.  ProXR controllers support API communications, which effectively wrap every command with a header, payload, and checksum to ensure reliability.  NCD API commands increase processing speed because no serial timeout is required prior to command processing.  NCD API commands increase reliability, as only a proper checksum will authenticate a command and allow it to process.  When we first implemented API, internet communications via a TCP/IP socket could be realized because the timing problems of internet communications were eliminated.  While API is optional, it is strongly advised.  Our Base Station software uses API communications, so it’s possible to control a ProXR controller over the internet after configuring port forwarding on your router.

ProXR series controllers are the world’s most adaptable controllers, capable of communicating with a wide variety of communication options.  Pick any of your favorite communication technologies: Bluetooth, USB, WiFi, Ethernet, Ethernet Web-i WebRelay, 802.15.4 Wireless, ZigBee Mesh, Key Fob, or RS-232. ProXR easily adapts to the communication technologies you need most.  We are committed to modular communications, so your ProXR series controllers can easily be retrofitted for other applications as your needs change.  ProXR controllers are never obsolete, as we are actively releasing new communication technologies that greatly enhance the connectivity of our ProXR series controllers.

20-Amp SPDT Relay Option

This controller is available with a 20-Amp relay option, allowing control of high-power loads up to an absolute maximum of 240VAC at 20 Amps. Ideal for high-power switching applications, this relay should never be used for low-power signals. The 20-Amp relay is of the SPDT variety, which provides Common (C), Normally Open (NO), and Normally Closed (NC) connections. Common is connected to NC when the relay is off. Common disconnects from NC and connects to NO when the relay is activated. This relay uses .250″ Quick Connect terminals (optional accessory) to connect to the top side of the relay. The relay is molded with COM, NC, and NO markings into the plastic.

30-Amp SPST Relay Option

This controller is available with a 30-Amp relay option, allowing control of high-power loads up to an absolute maximum of 240VAC at 30 Amps.  Ideal for high-power switching applications, this relay should never be used for low-power signals.  The 30-Amp relay is of the SPST variety, which provides Common (C) and Normally Open (NO) connections.  Common has no connection when the relay is off.  Common connects to NO when the relay is activated.  This relay uses .250″ Quick Connect terminals (optional accessory) to connect to the top side of the relay.  The relay is molded with COM, NO markings into the plastic.