This device is designed by eze System to provide additional input and output capacity to the MkII ezeio. Each I/O Expander adds 8 discrete inputs, 8 digital outputs and 2 analog outputs. Multiple I/O Expanders can be connected to one ezeio MkII controller. Two communication options allow the MkII I/O Expanders to dock to the ezeio utilizing eze-CAN or connect via Modbus RTU. Docking to the ezeio's EXP port (eze-CAN) allows the expanders I/O's to function as if they were onboard resources of the ezeio, including the use of ezeio drivers (discrete input, pulse input, thermistor, and digital output) for configuration. Utilizing the Modbus RTU port allows the I/O Expander/s to be located remotely (up to 1000 meter serial bus length). For this option a dedicated driver is used similar to those designed for 3rd party devices.

Local connectivity includes;

There are eight (8) discrete inputs on the ezeio. Each input can be individually configured to monitor voltage, current, resistance or pulses. The configuration is done via the web interface at https://eze.io.

More information about connecting to the inputs is available here.

There are 10 outputs on the I/O Expander. The function of each output is completely controlled by software.

Output 1 thru 8 are purely on/off. They will output the supply voltage when on, and no voltage when off.

Analog (Output) 1 & 2, output an analog voltage variable between 0 and 10V. The software controls this in 100mV steps (0-100%).

More information about connecting to the outputs is available here.

As described above, the I/O Expander provides the ezeio with additional input and output capacity. The two options for communicating with the ezeio require different installation and set-up processes. There are also performance difference between the two modes of operation. Below are complete instructions and operation details for connecting via the eze CAN EXP port followed by those for connection via Modbus RTU.

Features & Benefits

• Dock side by side on DIN rail using 6 pin header
• Dock up to 7 I/O Expanders to one ezeio MkII
• Inputs are sampled at the same rate as native inputs on the ezeio MkII controller

• Disconnect power from the ezeio
• Install the 6 pin header into the EXP port on the left side of the I/O Expander. Take care to properly align the pins, as the DC supply voltage can damage the CAN buffer if connected to com pins.
• With both devices released from the DIN rail, align the 6 pin header with the ezeio's EXP and press the devices together.
• Hang connected devices on the top rail of the DIN rail. Then press on the bottom/center of the label on each device to snap onto the DIN rail.

Default address is 1, unless otherwise noted

• Connect or power cycle the ezeio
• In the first 30 seconds of start-up, press the button (at the top of the I/O Expander) 3 times
• The I/O Expander's LEDs will begin to roll red and green. Enter the desired address by clicking the button (5 clicks = address 5)
• The I/O Expender's LEDs will confirm the entry by flashing the address number (5 flashes = address 5)

Use any of the drivers listed below to add inputs and outputs to the ezeio controllers configuration

• Discrete input driver
• Pulse input driver
• Thermistor driver
• Discrete Digital Output driver

• eze Expander I/O driver (legacy) Allows basic configuring of all 8 discrete input in one driver

In this communication mode the I/O Expander functions like a 3rd party device. Since Modbus RTU is an open protocol, it could be sold separately and use with almost any Modbus master.

One of the effects of using this communication mode is a slower register update rate. Modbus RTU operates at a much slower speed than CANbus/eze-CAN. Update rates will vary based on the number of devices and registers polled. Update rate could range from several times per second to a slow as once per minute, with high traffic and/or comm issues.

More information about Modbus/RTU is available here.

Features & Benefits

• Distribute I/O Expanders along serial bus (up to 1000 meter for wired bus)
• Connect up to 40 I/O Expanders to one ezeio MkII (total of all devices per ezeio = 40)
• Power over bus wire or from local power supply

• 4 wire (3 if powered locally) serial bus (daisy chain) wiring. Twisted pair data cable is recommended (such as Cat3, 5 or 6).
• Connect D0, D1, Ground and +V (if powered over bus) from green terminal on ezeio controller to green terminal (top) of I/O Expander.
• It may be necessary to provide power directly to the I/O Expander based on several factors; distance from ezeio, wire gauge, current draw and supply voltage.

Default address is 1, unless otherwise noted

• Connect or power cycle the ezeio
• In the first 30 seconds of start-up, press the button (at the top of the I/O Expander) 3 times
• The I/O Expander's LEDs will begin to roll red and green. Enter the desired address by clicking the button (5 clicks = address 5)
• The I/O Expender's LEDs will confirm the entry by flashing the address number (5 flashes = address 5)

Default address is 19,200, unless otherwise noted

• Connect or power cycle the ezeio
• In the first 30 seconds of start-up, press the button (at the top of the I/O Expander) 4 times
• The I/O Expander's LEDs will begin to roll red and green. Enter the desired baud rate by clicking the button the corresponding number of times (3 clicks = 9,600)
• The I/O Expander's Modbus LED will flash green when ever it receives a correctly formatted and addressed message.

Register Value = Baud rate

1. = 2,400
2. = 4,800
3. = 9,600
4. = 19,200
5. = 38,400
6. = 57,600
7. = 115,200

Read-only input (command 0x03) registers:

Device driver provides the means to configure input modes, settings and makes registers available.