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RS485 NET1 and NET2 Port Connections for

DSC, DAC, DLC, DNT, DNS, DFM Devices.
This article applies to:
Networking/MS/TP (V3)/FYI

SOLUTION

There seems to be some confusion as to the proper use of the NET1 and NET2 ports of
Delta devices in an RS485 network architecture. This document is intended to clarify the
correct use of the these ports in respect to what devices may be connected to which port.

z System and Subnet Network Definitions

NET1 and NET2 Connections by Device Type

z Delta System Manager (DSM)

z Delta System Controller (DSC)

z Delta Application Controller (DAC)

z Delta Network Thermostat (DNT)

z Delta Network Sensor (DNS) / Delta Field Module (DFM)

z Delta MODbus Gateways

Network Definitions:
The following lists and clarifies a few basic networking terms used when describing a Delta
MSTP network.

z System Level Network - Refers to the Network that connects System (DSC) devices
together. DSCs can be connected together over MS/TP, or Ethernet (recommended).

zMS/TP Subnet - Refers to Network that connects subnet devices together (ex: DACs,
DLC, DVC, and DNT.)

z LINKnet network - Refers to the network that connects linknet devices together (ex:
DNS and DFM)

NET1 and NET2 Connections by Device Type

The following pictures indicate the proper use of the NET1 and NET2 ports for the different
device types:

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DSM-RTR

Port Configuration Typical Architecture

DSM as System Device

DSM as Area Device

System Manager devices - Application Notes

z The DSM-RTR (Router) has many of the same features as the DSC devices, except it does not have
I/O. Therefore it can not be used to control equipment.

z DSM-RTR is typically used as a System Manager, for:

1. Scheduling
2. Trending
3. Routing MS/TP networks to Ethernet/BACnetIP, or Ethernet to BACnet/IP.
4. RTC and Time Synchronization

z DSM-RTR can NOT connect to a LINKnet network.

z Products Include:
DSM-RTR

DSC-xxxx / DSC-xxxxE

Port Configuration Typical Architecture

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* LINKnet is the default configuration on NET1 for Ethernet DSCs.

** MS/TP System is the default configuration on NET1 for Non Ethernet DSCs.

System Level devices - Application Notes

z Typically devices with model names starting with DSC.

z System Level devices are typically used to control larger equipment or the main component of a
mechanical system (ex: the AHU of a VAV air distribution system).

z These devices include the following features: Direct Serial or modem connection, Real Time Clock,
and Battery backup.

z If System level devices are to be connected via MS/TP, they must always be connected together via
their NET1 ports.

Note:
It is highly recommended to connect system level devices via Ethernet. An Ethernet network will
provide a much higher level of performance, simplify installation, and require less network 'fine
tuning' than MS/TP System level networks.
System level MS/TP networks should be confined to small sites or small network segments (less than
100 devices total).

z The NET2 port is used to connect to a network of subnet level devices.

z When configuring one of the DSC ports for LINKnet, you lose the ability to connect to other
devices that the port is normally used for.

ex: if you configure the DSC NET2 port for LINKnet, the DSC can NOT be used to connect to a
MS/TP subnet network.
You can still use NET1 to connect to a MS/TP System network.

z Products Include:
DSC-1616E, DSC-1212E, DSC-1280E, DSC-1616, DSC-1212, DSC-1280, DSC-1146, DSC-1180,
DSM-T0, DSC-T305.

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DAC-xxx, DVC-xxx, and DLC-xxx

Port Configuration Typical Architecture

DAC devices - Application Notes

z These devices do not have the enhanced features noted above that system devices have.

z Typically devices with model names starting with DAC, but also includes DLC (lighting control)
devices.

z Typically DAC devices are used to control smaller unitary equipment, such as the VAV boxes in a
VAV air distribution system, and would be physically connected to the System level device
controlling the associated AHU.

z DAC devices are connected together using their NET1 ports. A network of DAC devices are in turn
connected to the NET2 port of a system device.

z The NET2 port is dedicated for connecting to Linknet level devices ONLY.

z Products_Include:
DAC-T305, DAC-606, DAC-633, DAC-1146, DAC-1180, DVC-V304,DVC-V322, DLC-G1212,
DLC-Dxxx, DAC-1600.

DNT-xxx

Port Configuration Typical Architecture

DNT - Application Notes

z DNT devices are typically used in the same applications as DAC devices, such as the VAV boxes in a
VAV air distribution system, and would be physically connected to the System level device
controlling the associated AHU.

z DNT devices are connected together using their NET1 ports. A network of DNT devices are in turn
connected to the NET2 port of a system device.

z DNTs differ from DACs in that DNTs do NOT have a second (NET2) port, and therefore do not

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support Linknet level devices

z DNTs (DNT-T103, DNT-T221) are not programmable. They come with fixed algorithms, with field
adjustable control parameters. (Exception is the fully programmabe DNT-T305 model).

z Products_Include:
DNT-T103, DNT-T221, DNT-T305.

DNS-xx / DFM-xxx

Port Configuration Typical Architecture

DNS / DFM - Application Notes

z These controllers mainly act as an I/O expansion board or network sensor on a LINKnet network.
Linknet level devices can be connected to either Subnet or System level devices.

Note:
1: LINKnet and MS/TP subnet devices can NOT reside on the same network. It must be MS/TP
subnet devices OR LINKnet devices, not both.
2: When configuring one of the DSC ports for LINKnet, you lose the ability to connect to other
devices that that port is normally used for.

ex: if you configure the DSC NET2 port for LINKnet, the DSC can NOT be used to connect to a
MS/TP subnet network.

z The number of LINKnet devices that can be placed on the same LINKnet network is dependant
on the DSC/DAC model. Refer to the product documentation for more information.

z The total number of DFMs that can reside on ANY LINKnet network is 2, no matter what model
of DSC/DAC. Refer to the product documentation for more information.
z Products_Include:
DNS-24, DNS-24L, DFM-200, DFM-400, DFM-202, DFM-404, DFM-1600.

z EXCEPTIONS:

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DFM-400P is not a
LINKnet device, it can
only be placed on an
MS/TP Subnet network.

DFM with Outputs can

ONLY reside on a
LINKnet network. It can
NOT be placed on an
MS/TP Subnet network.

DFM with Inputs ONLY

can reside on a LINKnet
network OR an MS/TP
Subnet network.

Please refer to specific product documentation for more information.

MODbus Gateways

Port
Typical Architecture
Configuration

DACs - NET2 is
used for
MODbus
devices

DSCs - NET1 or
NET2 can be
configured for
MODbus.

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MODbus Gateways - Application Notes

z Several Delta Controls devices are capable of acting as a gateway to a network of MODbus RTU
devices. These devices reside on an RS-485 network and are connected to the NET1 or NET2 port.

Note:
1: When one of the RS-485 ports of a Delta device is configured as a MODbus gateway, only
MODbus devices can be connected to that port.
2: When configuring the port for MODbus, you lose the ability to connect to other devices that that
port is normally used for.

ex: if you configure the DSC NET2 port for MODbus, the DSC can NOT be used to connect to a
MS/TP subnet network.

DACs can only use the NET2 port for MODbus, therefore LINKnet would not be available.

z The number of MODbus devices that can be placed on the same LINKnet network is dependant
on the DSC/DAC model.
Refer to article number KBA1081 for more information.

Copyright © Delta Controls. All rights reserved.

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