Digital Loggers

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated 04/19/2021

ETHERNET POWER CONTROLLER 7


Download a users guide.  Check the specs. What accessories are available?

See the overview here - or call (408) 330-5599 for a free trial

 
Is there a keypad reference? 
How do I set up network with the keypad?
How do I set up the WiFi network?
How do I set up network access in Windows? From a Mac? - Thanks to John McClintock for these Mac tips.
How do I set up port forwarding?  Router Port Forwarding example. - Kudos to Mike G
What is the default IP address?  How do I reset to defaults?  What is the default password?
General FAQs
 What is the current version of firmware?
Where can I find more extensive and detailed help?
The session timeout is too short. Can I make the session longer?
Can I increase the internal system log size?
How can I get a dry contact relay output?
What's the new Lua Language and Scripting all about?
How do I enable autoping?  Explain the autoping settings
What's syslog?  How can I keep an event log?
Can you develop custom firmware or custom hardware for my app?
What are the CRITICAL and PROTECT functions?
How do I set up event notifications?
How do I change the NTP servers?
What is the command-line interface in the SSH shell?
How can I update the firmware via the SSH shell?
I can't access the controller from another network. Cannot autoping an external server such as 8.8.8.8. How do I fix cross network access?
How do the meters work?
What's the DB-9 pinout?
What temperature sensors are compatible? What is the part number & price?
How do I enable the battery backup?  How long will the battery run?  What is the battery lifetime?
External 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?
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 a different model: Web Power Switch 7, 6, 5, 4, Ethernet Power Controller II, III, V, or  PC-8000 model.  Where can I find information?
Answer:  Jump to the support page here. Don't see what you need?  Just give us a call (408) 330-5599.
Question:  Whch temperature sensors are compatible?
Answer:  The DS18B20 or DHT-11 sensors with Humidity sensor with RJ12 plugs are compatible and in stock P/N: DS18B20-RJ12 and P/N: DHT11 respectively. The pinout is shield=ground, ring=5V VCC, tip=data. Find a Lua thermostat code example here.

Question:  What is the current version of firmware?
Answer:  Find the revision history here, and firmware update instructions here.
Question:  How does this model compare to the earlier wired-only models?
Answer:  These units have both hardwired Ethernet and WiFi, thanks to a more powerful 32 bit CPU from Qualcomm Atheros.  The design includes expanded memory for the Atheros including FLASH, EEPROM, and SDRAM.  Leveraging open-source code and expanded memory allowed us to add several firmware features including SNMP, HTTPS, SSL, SSH, Rest API and Alexa Compatibility, a REST API and MQTT.   The BASIC scripting language has been replaced by Lua.  A much more powerful watchdog supervisory processor has been added.  Most important, there's good news on price: the new, more powerful ICs are less expensive. Here's a feature matrix comparing the older Taifatech and newer Atheros power models. courtesy of Mike Gillen
Question:  Where can I find more extensive and detailed help?
Answer:  Click on the Help menu link on the power controller itself. Then click on the on-line help icon.
Question:  I have a different model: Web Power Switch 7, Ethernet Power Controller II, III, V, or  PC-8000 model.  Where can I find information?
Answer:  Jump to the support page here. Don't see what you need?  Just give us a call (408) 330-5599.
Question:  How can I control and customize the LCD display?
Answer:  The LCD can be used to display 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 FLASH then start the script from your remote system.  Learn more about scripting here.
Question:  I can't access the controller from another network. Autoping will not ping an external server such as 8.8.8.8. How do I fix it?
Answer:  1. First make sure the "Same subnet access only" is unchecked in the General network settings



2. Next, verify that the network gateway is correct. It is usually the same gateway as your computer uses.

Gateway


If it still does not work:
3. Enable SSH
 
Login via SSH and type route
Look for a default route entry as shown here: 

#route 
Kernel IP routing table
Destination    Gateway         Genmask        Flags  Metric  Ref  Use  Iface
default        192.168.11.1    0.0.0.0         UG      0      0    0   eth0
192.168.11.0   *              255.255.255.0   U       0      0    0   eth0
If you don't see a default route and items 1 and 2 are verified, enter these commands into the SSH shell.

/etc/init.d/default_route_manager stop
/etc/init.d/default_route_manager disable
rm /etc/udhcpc-filters/500-divert-default-route-updates
/etc/init.d/network restart
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 plaintext login, you'll need to enable this legacy setting on the SETUP page:
Question:  What is the default IP address? How do I reset to defaults? What is the default password? 
Answer:  If you have lost the IP address or admin password, follow this procedure to reset to the default IP address of 192.168.0.100:


    Press the reset button. After about 5 seconds, you will hear a beep, then use the up and down keys to choose the type of reset.
    The following reset modes are available:

    1. Clear lock bits: Clear protection bits only. Other settings are preserved.
    2. Reset network and scripting: Clear protection bits, reset network settings and admin login, disable autoping and scripts. Other settings are preserved.
    3. Reset network and scripting + enable WiFi: Clear protection bits, reset network settings and admin login, disable autoping and scripts, and enable open WiFi access. Other settings are preserved.
    4. Complete wipe: Reset all settings to factory defaults and remove any user files. All settings will be lost!
    5. Complete wipe + enable WiFi: Reset all settings to factory defaults and remove any user files, then enable open WiFi access. All settings are lost!

    To activate the selected reset mode, press cycle or the reset button and hold it.

     

    The default master login is "admin" and default password is "1234". 


    If all settings are reset (the two last 'wipe' reset modes), the Subnet Restriction will be enabled to prevent remote access using the default password. ONLY MACHINES IN THE SAME SUBNET WILL BE ABLE TO CONNECT AFTER RESETTING TO DEFAULTS.
    Besides setting your computer to a compatible network, you can also use the keypad to set it up.
    The keypad settings Pro/V222/DC3/ISO32 are slightly different from the keypad settings for the DIN and EPCR models.
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. Details for setting up via the keypad can be found here.

Before adding an IP, close network programs and browsers.

Go to the Network Settings – Local Area Network or use the keyboard shortcut <Windows-R> - type “ncpa.cpl” and click OK. 

Right click on your LAN connection and choose “Properties”

Highlight “Internet Protocol” and click the “Properties” button.

Make note of the current settings.

Select "Use the following IP address".

Enter an IP address such as 192.168.0.5.

Enter a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0.

Delete any gateway entry.

Close all windows for the configuration to take effect.

Start your Browser and type 192.168.0.100 in the URL field. The index page should be displayed.

The default user name is "admin" (lower case) and password is “1234”

Set the IP address of the unit to your network, then restore your settings.
Question:  How can I change the NTP servers?
Answer:  Log into the unit and choose the External APIs link.
If the REST API is not enabled, check the REST API checkbox and press submit.
Either:
  Scroll down to the "Browse the REST API" link
  Select config
  Select ntp_peers
or
  enter it manually  Eg: http://192.168.0.100/restapi/config/ntp_peers/

Now you can select NTP peer #1 and edit it
Click the PUT button.
Edit or delete the other NTP peers as needed.
Question:  Can I set the session timeout longer?
Answer:  Yes
Log into the unit and choose the External APIs link.
If the REST API is not enabled, check the REST API checkbox and press submit.
Scroll down to the "Browse the REST API" link or enter it manually  Eg: 192.168.0.100/restapi/
Select the auth (Authentication server object) link
Select Cookie timeout Eg: http://192.168.0.100/restapi/auth/cookie_timeout/

Enter a time in seconds.
3600 = 1 hour
7200 = 2 hours
86400 = 1 day
604800 = 1 week
31536000 ~ 1 year

Click the PUT button.

The next time you login, the timeout will take effect.
Question:  Can I increase the internal system log size?
Answer:  Yes, but this must be done via the SSH shell.

Log into the unit via SSH.
The default is 16KB; to make it 64, use these commands:

uci set system.@system[0].log_size=64
uci commit system
/etc/init.d/log restart

*Note that this will clear the log.
Question:  My program used to run fine on an earlier model, but won't run on this one. What can I do?
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. Have a look at the Rest API here for new development. 
Question:  Can you develop custom firmware for my application?
Answer:  Gladly.  We've done this for many customers.  After we agree on a -very specific- project description, we can send you an estimate of the time involved to code, debug and test. In most cases, a kick-off meeting in Silicon Valley is required.
Question:  Can you develop custom hardware for my application?
Answer:  Gladly.  We've done this for many customers.   Please call with your requirements.  To amortize NRE, practical minimum order quantities are typically 100-1000 units.  In most cases, a kick-off meeting in Silicon Valley is required.
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. Using the keypad, you can set up some of the features such as the network settings.  You can program this display to display your own messages using the scripting feature.
Question:  How does the sensor port work?
Answer: 

 

 

The sensor port is an ESD protected TTL level bidirectional port.  It's suitable for Dallas 18B20 or DHT11 style sensors. The RJ12 pinout is: 1 &2 - 5V power out. 5V current is limited to about 50mA.  Pins 3 Data (bidirectional) & clock. Pin 4 is ground. The power controller will automatically detect the attached sensor, and it can be interrogated via the RestAPI. There is also a DB-9 connector for expansion or custom-built peripherals.  Email engineering@digital-loggers.com with your needs and suggestions.
Question:  How do the meters work?
Answer:  The Ethernet Power Controller 7 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 outlet on each bus bypasses the meters to provide un-metered "house power". Keep this in mind when planning your wiring. The un-switched 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 leave headroom for dynamic loads. The circuit breakers are a "guaranteed hold" at 14.8A.  There is a manual power factor correction which can be entered for each bus to correct known non-PFC loads.  Histograms and meter readouts can be customized to suit your needs. Two cumulative energy meters are provided. They accumulate power use over time to display energy in kWh. 
Now that the firmware now includes internal notification, so no external utilities are necessary. In version 7, the voltage metering time constant has been changed to ~1500ms.  DB9 ADC inputs may also be supported in future firmware releases.
Question:  How do I enable the battery backup? How long will the battery run?  What is the battery lifetime?
Answer:  Open the battery hatch on the right side of the faceplate by gently pressing the tab behind the faceplate to the right and pulling the hatch cover forward.  Connect the polarized battery connector, positive-to-positive, negative-to-negative.  The battery will power the web server, internal logic, Ethernet, RS-232 port and LCD for several minutes during a power outage.  Recharge time to 90% capacity is 48 hours.  Batteries are Li-ION.  Typical battery life is 24 months at 100F.  Do not attempt to replace the battery with any other type of cell.  Inexpensive replacement batteries are available from digital Loggers (408) 330-5599.  Disconnect the battery if leave the power controller shut off for more than a month.

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


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