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Programming your COMMBOX-600


COMMBOX-600

The COMMBOX-600 is a “Plug and Play” controlled power distribution panel for frost protection, ice, and snow melting projects. When receiving a signal from the sensor(s)m the contactors are activated, energizing your heating system.

DIP switch settings determine how the zones activate. When programming your system, make sure DIP switch 1 is in the ON position. The program manual can be navigated by using the SELECT (+) to move forward or SELECT (-) to go back through settings.

P01: Temperature set point – when the ambient temperature drops below this temperature that you set (range between 19-45˚F) your system will activate.

  • Move DIP switch S1 located on the side of the thermostat to ON position to enter technician settings mode.
  • “P01” and the temperature set point will appear on display. Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the temperature set point. Range: 19…45°F/ -7…+7°C.

As long as the ambient temperature is lower than the temperature set point P01, the controller will turn ON upon receiving a positive snow signal from the snow detector

P02: Lower Limit: Lower ambient temperature to stop heaters – at some point, the precipitation could freeze faster than it could melt. By setting a lower limit, you will avoid using unnecessary electricity.  You can input a temperature or by pressing SELECT (+) you can turn OFF this feature.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P02” and the low limit temperature will appear on display.
  • When the temperature on the temperature sensor drops below the low temperature limit, the heating system will stop.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the temperature set point.
  • Range: -4…+23°F / -20…-5°C Default: -5°F / -20°C
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously again.
  • The word “ON” or “OFF” will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons enable (ON) or disable (OFF) the P02 parameter. If disabled, the heating system will operate without low temperature limitations.

P03: Upper limit sensor – This setting is used if a second sensor is installed. If there is not a second sensor installed, press SELECT (+) to turn OFF this feature.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P03” and the slab upper limit temperature will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the upper limit temperature.
  • Range: +41…+86°F / +5…+30°C Default: 86°F / +30°C
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously again.
  • The word “ON” or “OFF” will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons enable (ON) or disable (OFF) the P03 parameter.
  • If disabled, the heaters will work regardless of the upper limit.
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously again.
  • The display will show the temperature on the upper limit sensor.

P04: Time delay before stopping heaters – This is the amount of time you would like your system to stay on after it senses snowfall has stopped.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P04”, “dL” and the time delay before stopping the heaters (Hold ON) will appear on display. The hours will blink.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the hours of the time delay.
  • Range: 00…99 hours Default: 00 hours
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously again.
  • The minutes will blink.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the minutes of the time delay.
  • Range: 00…59 minutes Default: 30 minutes

Note 1. The time delay countdown will start when the snow detection signal from snow sensor will switch from positive to negative.

Note 2. The staggering sequence will continue during the time delay period.

P05: ON time for Manual Mode – # entered /# of zones = length of time each zone is on when set to manual mode.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P05”, “On” and the “Manual ON” mode time period will appear on display. The hours will blink.
  • The delay time parameter defines a time frame in which the heaters remain ON after receiving an “Manual ON” command.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the hours of the working time.
  • Range: 00…99 hours Default: 6 hours
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously again.
  • The minutes will blink.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the minutes of the working time.
  • Range: 00…59 minutes Default: 00 minutes

P06: Heating cycle split time – This setting defines the working time of the heaters when working in sequence and it defaults to 24 minutes. There is NO hour option for this setting. Warmup recommends each zone be on for approximately 120 minutes each. Number of zones x 120 minutes = setting.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P06”, “SP” and the splitting time will appear on display.
  • The minutes will blink.
  • The heaters cycle / splitting time parameter defines the working time of the heaters when working in sequence.
  • Example: the splitting time is set to 10 minutes and 4 heaters work in sequence, each heater will be ON for 2.5 minutes (10/4=2.5).
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the splitting time.
  • Range: 10…1999 minutes Default: 24 minutes.

PO7: Sensors and Heaters Control logic – This programs the number of sensors and how they are used. 3rd party sensors are programmed in this setting (ex. CIT, SIT, GIT).

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P07” and the figures “0”, “1”, “2” or “3” will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to define the heaters logic (model dependent) as follows:

PO8: Snow Sensor Sensitivity – Default 50%.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P08” and the snow sensor sensitivity value will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the sensitivity.Range: 20…80 % (20% – Less sensitive, 80% – more sensitive), Default: 50 %

P88: Snow detection threshold – how long there has to be snow on the sensor before turning on or off. This defaults to 5 minutes.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P88” and the snow sensor threshold will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to adjust the threshold.
  • Range: 00…60 minutes Default: 5 minutes
  • If the threshold is not reached, the logic of turning the heaters either ON or OFF will not be affected by snow detection.
  • During the countdown to the threshold time, the snow flake icon will flash.

P09: Number of Snow Sensors Connected – This should reflect the actual number of sensors connected.

  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P09” and the number of snow sensors connected will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] and [-] buttons to select 1, 2, 3 or 4 snow sensors. Default: 1

P10: Test Mode – Instructions Below

Pour a cup of water on the sensor:

  • If DIP Switch 2 is ON test will go through all zones in 12 minutes
  • If DIP Switch 2 id OFF test will go through all zones for the time set in P06.

Electrician should be able to test if wired properly by testing volts on load side during the test cycle using a volt meter.

  • Turn ON test conditions to check the functionality of the system regardless of sensors parameters (i.e. during the summer).
  • In test conditions, the Ambient temperature is always -5°C/23°F.
  • Note: In order to trigger the system and activate the heaters, use some water to wet the circuit on top of the snow sensor.
  • Press the [SELECT] and [+] buttons simultaneously.
  • “P10” will appear on display. The hours will blink.
  • Use the [+] button to enter the test/commissioning mode – “Test” will appear on display.
  • Use the [+] button to manually exit test/commissioning mode – “Test” will disappear from the display.

Note: If the technician did not manually exit test/commissioning mode, the unit will automatically return to normal mode after 5 hours.

In order to save changes and return to normal display, move DIP switch S1 back to OFF position.