GE Lighting Controls (RINTERxx48SC relay panel)

[Patb]

I recently was called out to a big box store to trouble shoot some inoperable outdoor lights. When I arrived I found a GE relay panel RINTERxx48SC running the lights in question. This panel was interfaced with a Novar panel. I bypassed the relays to be certain the lights were functional and they checked out fine. I then found no voltage going thru the relays so I jumped over to some spares, called the Novar guys remotely watching the store and they said yes they see me hooked up to the new relays. They toggled the controls as I watch the LED light cycled on and off.

Here's the issue, I am being called back under warranty because they said I did not program the GE panel to turn the lights on and off at the correct times. There was no readout screen for me to see or even program. I found the GE spec sheet online and It only says there are 16 programmable channels, each softwired to any group of relays in the panel. GE also provides an optional mounting area for a third party controler.

Before I go back and say what I believe to be correct "that GE relay panel is not programable, the Novar controler is how you set the light time setting". Am I correct?

side question: if any of you have an indepth knowledge of this unit, can I buy individual relays to replace the bad ones or do I have to buy the entire panel?

 

[brantmacga]

the programming would take place at the third party controller. i've worked on similar GE equipment and it was always controlled w/ photocells and push button override switches. There's no type of real programming built in to the GE panel.

The novar panel should have some type of serial port you connect to for programming; or a web interface.

 

[nakulak]

in the stores we have done, novar runs the program remotely, and the only thing that happens on the local panel is override (manual toggles or timer).

 

[brantmacga]

in the stores we have done, novar runs the program remotely, and the only thing that happens on the local panel is override (manual toggles or timer).

i would think so too; OP mentioned they saw him make the changes, I don't see why they couldn't do the programming. That's the way I've always seen it done at the chain stores here.

 

[Patb]

Thanks guys, in situations like this I always like to double check before I go back to the client and let them know they are misinformed.

 

[Patb]

I found out today that we as electricians do have some programming to do with these relay panels. Each relay is assigned to a schedule A thru P. The time that these schedules goes on and off is controled by the Novar panel remotely. The tech has to hit the schedule button above and watch the LEDs. By holding the schedule button the LEDs next to the relay will blink telling you it is either assigned or not. By hitting the relay button while blinking it will assign the relay to whichever schedule button you're messing with. Caution not to assign a relay to more than one schedule. It's best to hit all the schedules and write down the assignments. This way you will see multiple assignments. If this happens the schedule sequence goes from A to P. The first schedule can override a later schedule which caused my problem at this site.