GE Security TOPAZ ACURT2 / ACURT4 — Hardware Installation Guide

Hardware Installation Guide for the GE Security TOPAZ ACURT2 and ACURT4 Networked Intelligent Controllers — access control field panels supporting 2 or 4 card readers, RS-485/RS-232/Ethernet host communication, and expansion modules for additional alarm inputs and relay outputs.

Overview

The ACURT2 and ACURT4 are networked intelligent access control panels. The ACURT2 supports 2 card readers; the ACURT4 supports 4 card readers. Both support a Host Port (RS-232 or RS-485), an Ethernet Port, and an Expansion Module Port for connecting up to 4 RIM (Remote Input Module) and/or RRM (Remote Relay Module) expansion boards.

General Specifications

UL / CUL Compliance Notes

• The ACU panel must be powered by an Altronix AL400UL3 Power Supply, located in the same room as the panel and no more than 25 feet away.
• Combined auxiliary power for all 4 readers on the ACURT4 must not exceed 900mA.
• Only UL-listed equipment (external power supplies, motion detectors, door contacts, enclosures, etc.) may be connected to the system.
• All RRM and RIM modules must be installed in the same room as the panel, no more than 25 feet away.
• UL-compatible readers/keypads: GE Security RIM, RRM, Remote Module Enclosure (REN/REND), Keypads (K-10, K-10L, K-10P, K-10LP, K11), HID ProxPro 5355, ProxPoint 6005, MiniProx 5365/5375, and GE Security Magstripe Extender. No other reader/keypad may be used on a UL-listed system.

Running Wire and Cable

• Follow all applicable building codes. All wires should be stranded.
• Dry relay contacts are rated 2 amps at 30 AC/DC volts.
• Maximum wiring length between the farthest Remote Module (RIM/RRM) and the ACURT controller is 4000 feet (1220 m), provided the remote module is locally powered.
• Guard against lightning damage; tape or protect all bare shields against accidental shorting.
• Recommended Belden cable: 9842 (24 AWG, up to 1000 ft) for general wiring; 9409 (18 AWG) for the door strike pair; 9407 (22 AWG) for alarm zone sensors, door contacts, and exit push buttons; 8741 (22 AWG) for powered passive exit devices.

RS-485 Communications

RS-485 is a differential-voltage communication circuit with 120-ohm impedance. End-of-line terminators are required at both ends of the communications path. Multi-drop configurations are allowed up to 4000 feet; stubs off the main cable must not exceed 10 feet and must not be terminated. Star configurations should be avoided.

The ACURT2/ACURT4 controllers have switch-selectable RS-485 termination on each host and expansion module port. An RS-485 terminator is required at the NCIC-5 converter. Remote Modules (RIM/RRM) have no built-in terminator — the farthest unit from the ACURT needs an external terminator (part #124-824).

Grounding

Each ACU panel on the communication loop must be individually connected to earth ground — not chassis or electrical ground. Proper grounding is essential for reliable data communication and for the panel's built-in transient voltage protection to function. Cold water pipes or a grounding rod typically make a good earth ground.

DIP Switch Settings

Switches SW1–SW7 configure communication termination, baud rate, addressing, and zone termination. Note: SW2, SW3, and SW4 are read only at power-up and ignored thereafter — power must be cycled after changing any switch settings (SW7 can be used to cycle power).

SW1 — Communication Port Termination

SW2 — Baud Rate, Dial-Up, Parity, Com Type

S4: DES Encryption Enabled (OFF = default). S5: ON = Dial-Up Host Comm, OFF = Dedicated (default). S6: ON = 5-wire RS-232 (RTS/CTS), OFF = RS-485 or 3-wire RS-232 (default). S7: spare, set OFF. S8: ON = No Parity (modem), OFF = Even Parity (default).

SW3 — System Options

S1: LAN Enabled. S2: Allow LAN IP Parameter Update. S3: Default LAN IP Parameter. S4: Triple DES Encryption Enabled. S5: Spare — leave OFF. S6: Magnetic Stripe Cards. S7: Battery Backed Up RAM (default ON). S8: Disable Watch Dog Timer.

SW4 — Panel Addressing (Rotary)

Sixteen positions (0–F hexadecimal) set the ACURT field panel address, 0 through 15.

SW5 / SW6 — Alarm Zone Termination for Readers

ON = terminated (no input device present); OFF = not terminated (zone in use with an end-of-line resistor). SW5 covers Reader 0 (S1-S3) and Reader 1 (S4-S6) zones; SW6 covers Reader 2 (S1-S3) and Reader 3 (S4-S6) zones (ACURT4 only). If an exit push button isn't connected on zone 1, an additional 1000-ohm resistor must be installed across that zone input.

SW7 — Power Switch

Slide switch that turns on the board's power supply — also used to cycle power after changing other DIP switches.

Status LEDs

Power-Up Self-Test (LEDs 1-4 light in sequence): LED 1 = power-up, LED 2 = successful RAM test, LED 3 = successful PROM test, LED 4 = initialization complete (1 second). At power-up all LEDs turn ON; at hardware reset, all OFF.

Normal Operation: LED 1 flashes at 1 Hz. LED 2 is ON while transmitting to Remote Modules. LED 3 blinks once if Reader 0 is online, twice if Reader 1 is online, etc. (2 seconds OFF between cycles). LED 4 is ON if zone voltage reference is ever out of range (indicates board or power supply failure).

LAN LEDs: TX (transmitting), RX (receiving), COL (collision), Link (cable connected), Rev (cable reversed).

Terminal Blocks & Connections

The ACURT2/ACURT4 use numbered terminal blocks for all field wiring: TB1 (Host Communication Port), TB2/3/4 (Reader 0), TB5/6/7 (Reader 1), TB8 (Expansion Module Communication Port RS-485), TB9 (Reader 0/1 Auxiliary Relay), TB10 (Power), TB11 (Cabinet Tamper), and on the ACURT4 only, TB12/13/14 (Reader 2), TB15/16/17 (Reader 3), and TB18 (Reader 2/3 Auxiliary Relay).

Reader Installation

Supported readers wire directly to the ACURT2/ACURT4 with point-to-point wiring diagrams provided in the full manual for: HID ProxPoint Plus 6005, HID MiniProx 5365, HID ProxPro 5355, HID MaxiProx 5375 (long range, with jumper pin configuration), and the GE Security K11L keypad (with jumper configuration for reader support).

Expansion Modules — RIM & RRM

The optional RIM (Remote Input Module) adds alarm zone inputs 1-19 across terminal blocks TB1-TB10, with its own DIP switches and status LEDs, plus a field wiring test and power-up self-test procedure.

The optional RRM (Remote Relay Module) adds relay outputs 1-16 with its own DIP switches, field wiring test, and power-up self-test. An Elevator Control Relay Interface section covers elevator relay numbering and standard elevator wiring for access-controlled elevator floor selection.

TCP/IP Setup

The IP address can be set through the Ethernet port or through a serial connection — the manual details both procedures for the ACURT2/ACURT4's onboard network module.

Optional Accessories

• UPS Batteries — installation and connection procedure for standby battery backup.
• Dial-up Modem — installation, component layout, LED status, and Multi-Drop Dial-Up (MDD) panel connections.
• Server External Modem — setup and software configuration, plus a troubleshooting section.
• Altronix Power Supply/Charger (AL400UL3) — panel layout, enclosure dimensions, and full specifications.

Manufacturer: GE Security (TOPAZ product line). Manual number AV-136192, Revision G.7, June 21, 2004. GE Security, 12345 SW Leveton Drive, Tualatin, OR 97062. Support: 800-547-2556.