Frequently Asked Questions
Updated 08/15/2018ETHERNET POWER CONTROLLER 5

Download a users guide. Check the specifications.
Watch the video overview here- or call (408) 330-5599 for a free trial
What are the latest new features?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Setup
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do I set
up network access from Windows? from
a Mac? - Thanks to John McClintock for these instructions
Do I need a crossover
cable?
How do I set up port forwarding?
On initial setup, I can't establish a Ethernet communications
from a Windows PC. Help!
What is the default IP address? How do
I reset to defaults?
What is the default password?
How do I set
up a router to port forward for Internet access? -Thanks to Mike G.
Find more specific port forwarding examples
here.
What is the default IP address?
How do I reset to defaults
How do I use the keypad to set it up?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous Questions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are the CRITICAL and
PROTECT functions?
What's the new Lua Language
and Scripting all
about?
The session timeout is too short. Can I make the session longer?
How do I enable AutoPing?
Explain the Auto-Ping
settings
How do the meters work?
How can I get a dry contact
relay output?
How do I enable Battery
Backup? How long will the battery run? What is the battery lifetime?
What's syslog?
How can I keep an event
log?
Can you develop custom firmware or custom
hardware for my app?
Do you have a ruggedized
version? Something suitable for mobile use?
Where can I find the
manual or spec sheet
for the earlier model?
How do I set up event notifications?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enternal APIs - Communicating with the power controller
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How can I connect to Amazon
Echo, Alexa, Dot or Tap products?
How can I connect to Google Assistant or Google Home?
How can I
access the switch from my own application or remote script? What's the
cURL API?
My program ran fine on the Web Power Switch 7, but doesn't connect now.
Help!
Is this product compatible
with legacy plaintext scripts and http control?
How can I control the switch from my own applications?
What is the recommended REST API?
Have any SNMP setup tips?
Do you support MQTT?
How can I set up IFTTT?
Do you have a Visual Basic.NET example program?
Thanks to Alan Holmes
Do you have a C++ programming example?
Do you have a .NET programming example?
Do you have a Java programming example?
Do you have a compiled Windows command line tool or a Perl
example?
Do you have a Python programming example?
Do you have a Crestron control module?
How can I run a perl script from
LabView?
Where can I find iPhone, iPad, or Android
apps for Digital Loggers?
Do you support PowerMan?
Question: | I have on earlier Ethernet Power Controlller II, III, or PC-8000 model. Where can I find information? |
Answer: |
For firmware information on PC-8000 units without power metering,
(circa 2008-9), click here. For information on the Ethernet Power Controller II or Ethernet Power Controller II LCD (circa 2010 to 2011), click here. The manual for the EPCR3 built from 2011 to 2014 is here. |
Question: | How do the meters work? |
Answer: | The Ethernet Power Controller has four internal meters. Bus A and Bus B each have one separate current and voltage meter. The voltage meters measure the input voltage on each bus. The current meters measure the total current drain for all the switched devices on each bus. One un-switched outlets on each bus bypass the meters to provide un-metered "house power". The unswitched outlets are located in the center of the panel. Although the product will easily handle 15A on each bus, it's recommended to stay in the 13A range or so to add headroom for dynamic loads. There is a manual power factor correction which can be entered for each bus to correct non-PFC loads. Histograms and meter readouts can be customized to suit your needs. Two cumulative energy meters are provided. They accumulate use over time in kWh. A power billing / notification utility for Windows is here. |
Question: | How can I control and customize the LCD display? |
Answer: | The LCD can be used to display current and voltage settings, outlet status, or any message of your choice. You can operate the LCD in "billboard" style, displaying a series of user defined messages. To customize the LCD, you'll want to write a script using the Lua scripting language. You can also use the display to send messages from remote systems (ie. service alert warnings). To send messages remotely, write a script first, saving it in EEPROM then start the script from your remote system. Learn more about scripting here. |
Question: | Is this product compatible with the older (less secure) HTTP plaintext command syntax? |
Answer: | To use the earlier HTTP commands described here and CURL scripts that use plantext login, you'll need to enable this legacy setting on the SETUP page. For new code development, the RestAPI is recommended.: |
Question: | On initial setup, I can't establish a Ethernet communications from a Windows PC. Help! |
Answer: |
If your default Windows settings won’t access the controller,
follow
these steps to reach the controller’s IP. You'll find a
more extensive explanation
in the user's manual.Before adding an IP, close network programs and browsers. |
Question: | How can I control the switch from my own applications? |
Answer: |
Downloadthe latest User Utility
which includes PowerMan support for Linux. Your application can use HTTP communications.
There are programming examples from several languages listed in the top section.
|
Question: | My program used to run fine on EPCR3, but it won't run on the new EPCR 5? |
Answer: | It's possible that the program requires legacy login methods which accept plaintext authentication. Go to the Setup page and tick the "Allow legacy plaintext login methods" checkbox, then click "Submit". If the program works, please inform the author that the preferred authentication method is by using the more secure challenge/response mechanism. |
Question: | Do you support PowerMan? |
Answer: | Yes, absolutely. The latest code is added to the tarball. Download the latest User Utility here. |
Question: | What is the blue LCD for? |
Answer: | The blue LCD shows outlet status during power up, the IP address, netmask, outlet names, and other useful information. Time and date stamps for significant events (such as power outages or emergency shutdowns) are also displayed. You can program this display to display your own messages using the scripting feature. |
Back To Top

If we haven't answered your questions here, please call (408) 330-5599 or send us an email.
We'll be glad to help.
© Digital Loggers, Inc. 2015.