User's Guide
Table Of Contents
- Home Controller HC-500 Installation Guide
- Supported Model
- Introduction to Home Controller HC-500
- Important Safety Instructions
- Control4 Supported Devices
- Requirements and Specifications
- What’s in the Box
- Accessories Available for Purchase
- Warranty
- Additional Resources
- Front View
- Back View
- Install the HC-500
- Configure the HC-500
- Connect Devices
- Troubleshooting
- Regulatory Compliance
- About This Document
Use the remaining content in this section to learn more about some of these
connection options.
Use Video Sense Loops
Video sensing can enhance the ability to sense the power state of a device,
such as whether the device is on or off. If you need to add video signal sensing
capabilities for a video device (such as a VCR, DVD player, etc.), connect one
of the device’s composite Video Out ports to a HC-500 Video Sense In port.
Then use the companion Video Sense Out port for the device’s video out as
needed.
For Video Sense only (no loop-through), connect a device’s Composite Video
Out port to one of the two Video Sense In ports.
Use Pluggable Terminal Block Connectors
For the Contact and Relay ports, the HC-500 makes use of pluggable terminal
block connectors—removable plastic parts to lock in individual wires. These
connectors are included.
To connect a device to the Pluggable Terminal Block:
1. Insert one of the wires required for your device into the appropriate opening
in the Pluggable Terminal Block you reserved for that device (refer to
Figure 1 on page 2).
For example, if you were adding a motion sensor, you would connect its
wires to the following Contact openings: power input to +12V output signal
to SIG, and ground connector to GND. See the sections that follow for
instruction on connecting the various protocols.
2. Lower the openings latch until it locks the wire in place.
3. Repeat Steps 1-2 for all wires required for your device.
NOTE: When you connect dry contact closure devices, such as door switches,
connect the switch between +12V (Power) and SIG (Signal).
Connect to a Contact Port
The HC-500 provides four contact ports. See the following figures to determine
how to connect the device to a contact port.
Figure 1: Contact Port for Voltage Source (i.e. Motion Sensor)
Figure 2: Contact for Dry Contact (i.e. Door Contact Sensor)
Figure 3: Contact for Self-Powered Voltage Source Device
Connect to the Relay Ports
The HC-500 provides four relay ports.
For most applications, attach one wire to the common terminal and the other to
the normally open terminal. The relay switches closes when the relay is
activated. The HC-500 can support applications that require a normally closed
contact.
Figure 4: Relay Port: Normally Open
Figure 5: Relay Port: Normally Closed
Connect the Serial Ports
The HC-500 provides four DB9-style serial ports. Connect a device to the HC-
500, like a receiver or disk changer, by aligning the pins and tightening the
screws. Serial ports support many different band rates but do not support
hardware flow control.
Set Up IR Emitters or IR Blaster
Your system may contain third-party products that are controlled with IR
commands (usually through remote controls). To provide a way for the Home
Controller to control a device that only recognizes IR commands, complete one
of the following setups: IR Emitters or IR Blaster.
IR Emitters
1. Plug the 3.5 mm connector end of one of the six IR stick-on emitters pro-
vided into an IR Out port on the HC-500.
2. Place the stick-on emitter end over the IR receiver on the media player, TV,
or other target device to drive IR signals from the HC-500 to the target.
IR Blaster
In addition to IR emitters, the HC-500 is also equipped with an IR blaster, which
is located just under the front LEDs. To use the blaster instead of an IR emitter:
1. In Composer, connect Front IR Out of the Home Controller to the IR In of the
device you wish to control.
2. Test and verify that the HC-500 is positioned in such a way that the blaster
can reach the device you wish to control.
Troubleshooting
To reset the HC-500, press and hold the identify button until the WiFi LED
blinks orange, signaling the start of the boot process.
To reset to network defaults (wired connection), power cycle the HC-500 and
hold the identify button until the Data, Link, and Power LEDs are solid blue,
then immediately release.
If during the boot sequence, the WiFi LED stays orange, press and hold the
identify button until the LED blinks blue, then release.
Regulatory Compliance
This product has been designed and tested to the following U.S., Canadian,
European, Australian, and New Zealand standards:
IMPORTANT! Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by
the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to
operate this equipment.
North America
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
FCC ID: R33C4HC5002—This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and
on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the
following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Edison Test Lab (ETL)
This product has been tested by ETL and has been found to be in compliance
with:
UL60065, 7th Edition, 2006 + A1; 2006—Audio video and
similar electronic apparatus - safety requirements
CSA C22.2 No. 60065-03 1st Edition—Audio video and
similar electronic apparatus - safety requirements
Industry Canada
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canada ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60065-03 1st ed., 2006-04 +A1: 2006 (Audio, video, and
similar electronic apparatus)
Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference and (2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
L'opération est sujette aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) ce dispositif peut ne
pas causer l'interférence et (2) ce dispositif doit accepter n'importe quelle
interférence, y compris l'interférence qui peut causer le fonctionnement peu
désiré du dispositif.
Canadian ID IC:7848A-C4HC500E
Europe: CE Declaration of Conformity
Product: Home Controller HC-500
The undersigned hereby declares, on behalf of Control4 Corporation, that the
above-referenced product, to which this declaration relates, is in conformity
with the provisions of:
• Council Directive 89/336/EEC (May 3, 1989) on Electromagnetic Compati-
bility
• Council Directive 1999/5/EC (Mar 9, 1999) on Radio & Telecommunication
Terminal Equipment (R&TTE)
• Council Directive 73/23/EEC (Feb. 19, 1973) on Low Voltage Equipment
Safety
• Council Directive 93/68/EEC (Jul. 22, 1993) Amending Directives 89/336/
EEC and 73/23/EEC
and has been tested to the requirements of, and shown to be in compliance
with, the following requisite standards:
• IEC 60065/EN 60065 - 2002 Audio Video and similar electronic apparatus
• EN 55022: 2006 Information Technology Equipment
• EN 55024: 1998 + A1: 2001 Information Technology Equipment—Immunity
characteristics—limits and methods of measurement
The Technical Construction File required by these Directives is maintained at
the corporate headquarters of Control4, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
Signed,
Paul E. Nagel—Vice President of Engineering, December 30, 2007
Australian / New Zealand
• AS/NZS CISPR 22: 2002—Information Technology Equipment—Radio dis-
turbance characteristics.
Recycling
For recycling information, please go to www.control4.com/recycling.
About This Document
Copyright © 2009 Control4 Corporation. Control4 and the Control4 logo are
registered trademarks of Control4 Corporation. All trademarks are properties of
their respective owners. Part Number: 200-00050 Rev C
USB (2 ports)—For external storage device with USB support
(such as FAT32 formatted devices). See “Set up External Storage
Device” for more information or for connecting the optional WiFi
adapter C4-NWA-11G-USB.
Contacts (4 sets)—Pluggable terminal block connectors for one
dry contact closure, logic input connection, door contact sensor,
or motion sensor. Provides power for small devices (12V), signal
input (SIG), return path (GND). The current, 250 mA, is shared
across all 4 sets of contacts.
Relays (4 sets)—Pluggable terminal block connectors for one
normally closed or normally opened switchable connection, such
as a blind, a fireplace, or a projector screen. The set contains a
connection for Normally Opened (NO), Normally Closed (NC),
and Common (COM). Relays are rated for 24 V 6 A
maximum operation.
Serial (4 sets)—DB9 connector for a serial device,
such as a receiver or disk changer. See “Connect the
Serial Ports” for more information.
IR Out (6)—3.5 mm jacks for up to six IR output transmitters.
See “Set Up IR Emitters or IR Blaster” for more information.
European Contact Information
Control4 UK Limited
Unit 3, Green Park Business Centre
Sutton-on-the-Forest, York
YO61 IET, United Kingdom
+44 (0) 134781 2300
c4@control4-UK.com
United States Contact Information
Control4 Corporation
11734 S. Election Road, Suite 200
Salt Lake City, UT 84020-6432, USA
Tel (801) 523-3100


