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Startup guide for the MAC36NL

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Startup guide for the MAC36NL

Connecting and configuring the device

1) Power supply

You can use 20Vac to 28Vac or 20Vdc to 28Vdc

The power required depends on whether you are powering in AC (24VA) or DC (14W).

A dedicated UL-listed Class 2 24Vac/24Vdc power supply with 1 amp capacity per MAC36NL is recommended.

Compared to other iSMA devices, the MAC36NL CANNOT be powered via the USB mini-USB port located behind the front panel. This port can only be used for a “console” connection (see point 10)

IMPORTANT! When powering up a MAC36NL for the first time, a binding procedure starts between the MAC36NL and the SD card installed on it (takes at least a couple of minutes). Removing the power supply early and disrupting this binding process might prevent the MAC36NL from properly starting the platform (in most cases, this will be indicated by the RUN LED staying fixed ON).

If you accidentally end up in this situation, you can re-flash the SD card to its factory state using a micro SD card reader and the software and SD image available in our downloads section.

2) IP port

The IP port uses a standard RJ45 connection.

By default, the MAC36NL is shipped with only Ethernet port 1 enabled with IP address 192.168.1.123 and subnet mask 255.255.255.0

3) RS485

The RS485 port on board the MAC36NL (COM1 and COM2 if you have the dual-port version) is optoisolated, like on a Jace.

Use shielded, twisted-pair, 18-22 AWG cabling. Connect the shield wire to the earth ground at one end only.

Remember that if you are connecting with other devices that are NOT optoisolated, you will need to use a different cable and wiring method!

Also, check how biasing and termination are achieved on the MAC36NL and other controllers

4) Prepare your Niagara Workbench to work with the iSMA MAC36NL

This Niagara 4 controller is not manufactured by Tridium, and it requires its specific DIST files to be installed on the Workbench to be commissioned properly.

Failing to do so will prevent commissioning the MAC36NL later.

Note: not all Niagara 4 versions are compatible with the MAC36NL. Check if a dist file exists for the version you want to use to verify compatibility at point 6.

5) Connect using Niagara to a new MAC36NL

A comprehensive “manual” is available on our support website.

Chapter 3.4, “First login to the controller platform in Workplace”.

Set your PC’s IP address to any address between 192.168.1.1 and 192.168.1.254 (except any address already in use, such as the default one for the MAC36NL).

Select File > Open > Open Platform and use the NON-TLS (unsecured) connection. This is required only for the first connection

Use the default 192.168.1.123 MAC36NL IP to connect

The platform default username is tridium, password niagara

On the first connection, you will be required to set a platform user and password.

6) Commission the MAC36NL

The Niagara versions that this controller is compatible with are:

First, ensure the distribution files are installed in the Workplace.

Right-click the connected platform and start the Commissioning Wizard.

Remember a few things here:

  • The MAC36NL will install the core distribution file for the Niagara version used for commissioning. This can be modified later if required.

Note: The 4.8 needs a Clean controller before upgrading from older versions. You will need to install the CleanDist file using the Distribution File Installer on the controller’s platform.

  • The MAC36NL licenses can be installed automatically from the licensing server if the PC commissioning is connected to the internet. If the internet is not available, license files can be downloaded separately and installed during commissioning (your supplier should have sent you the files already via email when you ordered the MAC36NL)
  • The Niagara modules installed during commissioning will also use the same version. These can be modified later if required

Remember also that the MAC36NL license comes with an “up to” specific version of Niagara 4. An ongoing valid SMA (Service Maintenance Agreement) on the Tridium License unlocks it and allows upgrading to any newer Niagara versions.

7) Restore a MAC36NL to factory default

Refer back to the “manual” mentioned in point 5. 

Chapter 3.9, “Restore controller to the factory default”.

To restore the MAC36NL to the factory default, you can just use the dip-switches in front of the controller, under the front panel (remove carefully using a small flat screwdriver):

  • Power OFF the MAC36NL completely
  • Pull up switch 6 in the S3 dip-switch to the ON position (up)
  • Power up the MAC36NL
  • The controller “Alarm” LED starts flashing quickly
  • Pull the switch 6 in the S3 dip-switch to the OFF position (down) to start the procedure of restoring the factory values
  • Once the restoring process is terminated, the system starts the platform without needing to reboot the MAC36NL (“Run” LED fast flashing)
A complete restore to the factory state can be achieved by re-flashing the SD card using a micro SD card reader and the files available on the download page when the platform is having problems running.

8) Using the Local IO

The MAC36NL controller has 36 onboard I/O points, a mix of analogue and digital Inputs/Outputs.

A comprehensive knowledge base article explains all the details of Local IO, with links to the manual and files.

9) Using the HDMI port to connect a screen

Refer back to the “manual” mentioned in point 5. 

Chapter 3.11, ” HDMI Connection”.

The MAC36NL allows connecting a touch screen directly to the controller without using the IP network. This is usually a cheaper and more direct way to get graphics from a controller to a screen, but it should be used only for basic visualisations without too many complications, pages, or ramifications, such as a device display. This is due to the restricted graphics processing power embedded in the controller.

Consider the following highlights:

  • A local HDMI display should be used for basic “device” graphical pages
  • Connect both the HDMI and the USB cables for the touch screen to work
  • Prepare your MAC36NL with the iSMA_HDMI module installed, so it will be possible to use it on your station
  • Enable the HTTP web port
  • Use the “Handheld” profile on the User settings for the local display user
  • Pop-up windows are not supported

10) Connecting a PC over USB (shell)

Refer back to the “manual” mentioned in point 5. 

Chapter 3.6, ” Connection to the console”.

The USB mini port in front of the MAC36NL is used to access it using the System Shell.

The required cable is USB mini to USB-A.

The software required on your PC is a terminal emulation program, like PuTTY (available in our downloads section)

Connection settings are:

  • Connection type: Serial
  • Speed (baud): 115200
  • Data bits: 8
  • Stop bits: 1
  • Parity: None
  • Flow control: None

Use the platform credentials to log in.

Additional information

This guide applies to the following products

iSMA-B-MAC36NL-050
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-100
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-150
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-250
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-300
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-500
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-1250

iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-100
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-150
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-250
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-300
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-500
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-RS-1250

iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-100
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-150
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-250
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-300
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-500
iSMA-B-MAC36NL-M-1250

Where to find the documentation about this product

Data sheets, manuals, installation manuals, device pictures, CAD drawings and certificates can be found on our product page for the MAC36 HERE:

What is inside the box

Inside the box you will find:

  • The MAC36NL device
  • Connectors (5.08mm MSTB screw-down terminal blocks)
  • 200-ohm resistors set to connect 4-20mA signals to the Universal Inputs
  • The installation instructions

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