Telephone Interface Module Crestron CEN-TIA
Check Network Wiring
Use the Right Wire
In order to ensure optimum performance over the full range of your installation
topology, Crestron Certified Wire, and only Crestron Certified Wire, may be used.
Failure to do so may incur additional charges if support is required to identify
performance deficiencies because of using improper wire.
Calculate Power
CAUTION: Use only Crestron power supplies for Crestron equipment. Failure to do
so could cause equipment damage or void the Crestron warranty.
CAUTION: Provide sufficient power to the system. Insufficient power can lead to
unpredictable results or damage to the equipment. Please use the Crestron Power
Calculator to help calculate how much power is needed for the system
(
http://www.crestron.com/calculators).
When calculating the length of wire for a particular Cresnet run, the wire gauge and
the Cresnet power usage of each network unit to be connected must be taken into
consideration. Use Crestron Certified Wire only. If Cresnet units are to be daisy-
chained on the run, the Cresnet power usage of each network unit to be daisy-chained
must be added together to determine the Cresnet power usage of the entire chain. If
the unit is a home-run from a Crestron system power supply network port, the Cresnet
power usage of that unit is the Cresnet power usage of the entire run. The wire gauge
and the Cresnet power usage of the run should be used in the following equation to
calculate the cable length value on the equation’s left side.
Cable Length Equation
L = Length of run (or chain) in feet
R = 6 Ohms (Crestron Certified Wire: 18 AWG (0.75 MM ))
or 1.6 Ohms (Cresnet HP: 12 AWG (4 MM ))
P = Cresnet power usage of entire run (or chain)
2
2
L <
40,000
R x P
Where:
Make sure the cable length value is less than the value calculated on the right side of
the equation. For example, a Cresnet run using 18 AWG Crestron Certified Wire and
drawing 20 watts should not have a length of run more than 333 feet. If Cresnet HP is
used for the same run, its length could extend to 1250 feet.
NOTE: All Crestron certified Cresnet wiring must consist of two twisted pairs. One
twisted pair is the +24V conductor and the GND conductor, and the other twisted pair
is the Y conductor and the Z conductor.
Strip and Tin Wire
When daisy-chaining Cresnet units, strip the ends of the wires carefully to avoid
nicking the conductors. Twist together the ends of the wires that share a pin on the
network connector, and tin the twisted connection. Apply solder only to the ends of
the twisted wires. Avoid tinning too far up the wires or the end becomes brittle. Insert
the tinned connection into the Cresnet connector and tighten the retaining screw.
Repeat the procedure for the other three conductors.
Add Hubs
For larger networks (i.e., greater than 28 network devices), it may become necessary
to add a Cresnet Hub/Repeater (CNXHUB) to maintain signal quality throughout the
network. Also, for networks with lengthy cable runs, it may be necessary to add a
Hub/Repeater after only 20 devices.
24 • Telephone Interface Module: CEN-TIA Operations Guide – DOC. 6414