Specifications

Sicon-8 Technical Manual CircuitWerkes, Inc.
15
Resetting & updating the firmware:
The Sicon-8 can be returned to factory default settings at power up by holding the remote/local button in for 15 seconds as
power is first applied. Resetting the Sicon-8 will either erase or disable most user-defined programming that was in the Sicon-8.
Passwords are erased except the super-admin password that is reset to 6736 for dial-up & 12345678 for data. Stored words or
sounds are erased (overwritten) when re-recorded and cannot be restored to factory defaults. They can only be re-recorded, if
desired.
Occasionally, firmware updates can be made to the Sicon-8. Often these updates can be done through the Sicon-8’s serial port.
The “Site” Menu of the Sicontroller lets you start the update process to update the Sicon-8’s firmware. In most cases, updating
the firmware will require reprogramming your Sicon-8. Before starting a firmware update, It is always advisable to first download
the current parameters from your Sicon-8 and store them as an “export” file from the Sicontroller software so that you can
quickly re-upload all of your stored parameters after the upgrade is completed.
If your firmware is below 1.37, there is a chance that your Sicon-8 may not work properly after the upgrade. If you’re not sure, or
if your Sicon-8 does not function properly after an upgrade, we will have to send new firmware chips to you rather than upgrade
via the software. We recommend against flash upgrading firmware older than 1.37 due to the risk of crashing the processor. If
your Sicon-8 has an older firmware version currently installed, please contact us before you do the upgrade and we will send
replacement chips to you. Current upgrades have been tested with various newer versions of the processors and have been
found to work with all of them, however, if you experience any difficulty, please contact us for replacement chips.
We recommend against trying to perform any firmware upgrade via any Serial-to-Ethernet converters. You should only perform
an upgrade when you can achieve a direct serial connection to the Sicon-8. Your Sicon-8 will be reset to factory defaults after
the main firmware upgrade. If your Sicon-8 has already been programmed, before starting any upgrade, we suggest installing
the latest version of the Sicontroller software and either:
1. Using the software to upload the current site file information to your Sicon-8 after the upgrade, or
2. Download the current setup information, from your Sicon-8 hardware, to your software and saving that data for later
uploading after the upgrade.
After an update, your hardware access codes are reset to default. Your Sicontroller software will not connect (or reconnect) to
the hardware until you change your super administrator access code, in the software’s configuration menu, temporarily, to
12345678. Once connected, you can reprogram your own access code and re-upload it, then all codes to the Sicon-8 hardware.
Items that may need to be restored or reprogrammed after the upgrade are:
1. Access Codes (both telephone and serial will require reprogramming)
2. Configuration data (upload (NOT DOWNLOAD) from the software)
3. Meter calibrations may require individual re-uploading
4. Event Schedules must be re-uploaded.
5. The internal clock should maintain its time, but should be checked.
Event schedules, if any are used, must be re-uploaded after the upgrade. Events are saved/exported using the event scheduler
and are not part of the normal configuration saves.
Note that resetting the Sicon-8 to default will not require reprogramming any custom vocabulary, but in addition to re-uploading
the configuration data to your Sicon-8, you should verify that meter calibrations are still accurate and be prepared to correct the
calibrations, if necessary.