The PIERRE Controller is the wired control unit of the PIERRE system. It is installed in the distribution cabinet, and the devices it controls are wired directly to the controller.

Specifications

• 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs

• 6 plus 2 Configurable I/Os

• Selected ports can be configured for 0–10 V control

• MODBUS support for third-party devices

• Network connection via Ethernet or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

• 12 VDC power supply with overvoltage protection

Connections

• INPUT 1–16 – Connect sensors, buttons, and other input devices.

• OUTPUT 1–16 – Connect the actuators controlled by the inputs, app, display, or automations.

• Sensor Supply – Power supply terminals providing 12 V and 5 V.

• GND – Ground (−).

• ETH – Ethernet network connection.

• Configurable I/Os – 6 configurable I/O ports. Two ports are Read Only - reserved for RFID communication or Modbus RTU (RX only).

• Reset Button – Used to reset the controller when required.

AP Mode - Commissioning

AP mode is used when commissioning a controller and for changing its configuration when required.

When a controller is in commissioning mode, the white LED is illuminated.

Discovery is performed via Bluetooth, so the phone running the PIERRE Partner app must be within Bluetooth range of the controller.

LED Indicator

The LED on the controller indicates its current status.

Controller Commissioning

Commissioning is the process of bringing a PIERRE controller into service. During commissioning, the controller is assigned a name and configured to connect to the network. Until commissioning is completed, the controller does not operate its connected I/Os.

Commissioning Process

1. Powering On a New Controller

When a new controller is powered on, it automatically enters commissioning mode. The white LED indicates that the controller is ready for commissioning.

2. Commissioning an Existing Controller

An existing controller can also be placed into commissioning mode when it needs to be reconfigured or restored.

To enter commissioning mode, hold the AP button on the controller until the device enters setup mode.

3. Scanning for Controllers

Open the PIERRE Partner application and select the appropriate Building.

The application automatically scans for controllers in commissioning mode.

A controller that has not yet been added to the current Building appears with a dashed border and a blue Bluetooth icon.

When you tap the controller, the available setup options are displayed.

For a new controller, the following options are available:

• New Controller

• Copy Existing Controller

• Restore Controller

If an already configured controller in commissioning mode is detected in the Building, the following options are available:

• Edit Controller Settings

• Edit Network Settings

• Restore Controller

New Controller Setup Options

New Controller

Select New Controller to create and configure a new controller.

Enter or select the following settings:

• Name – Enter a name for the controller.

• Connection Type – Select Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

  • If Wi-Fi is selected, choose the required network from the available networks.

  • If the selected network is password-protected, enter the Wi-Fi password.

• IP Settings – Select Automatic (DHCP) or Static IP.

  • If Static IP is selected, enter:

    • IP Address

    • Gateway

    • Subnet

    • DNS

After entering all required information, click Save. The controller is added to the Building and the commissioning process is completed.

Copy Existing Controller

Use Copy Existing Controller when you want to create a new controller based on the configuration of an existing controller.

The application displays the available controllers across the Buildings to which you have Partner access.

Select the controller you want to copy.

Enter or select:

• Name – Enter a name for the new controller.

• Role – Select the appropriate Role.

• Connection Type – Select Ethernet or Wi-Fi.

• IP Settings – Select Automatic (DHCP) or Static IP.

If Static IP is selected, enter the IP Address, Gateway, Subnet, and DNS.

The new controller inherits the configuration of the selected controller, including:

• I/O Settings

• Automations

For example, if the original controller has an automation that turns on a light when a door is opened, the same automation is copied to the new controller.

Restore Controller

Use Restore Controller to restore the configuration of an existing controller to a new controller.

Select the controller whose configuration you want to restore.

Configure the required network settings:

• Connection Type – Ethernet or Wi-Fi

• IP Settings – Automatic (DHCP) or Static IP

• IP Address

• Gateway

• Subnet

• DNS

The new controller adopts the configuration of the selected controller.

This option can be useful when replacing a damaged controller. For example, if a controller is damaged by flooding, a new controller can be restored with the same configuration without having to configure all I/Os and automations again.

Existing Controller in Commissioning Mode

When an existing controller is detected in commissioning mode, additional configuration and maintenance options are available.

Edit Controller Settings

Edit Controller Settings allows you to modify the controller's settings.

This option provides the same settings available when editing an existing controller, with the additional option to delete the controller while it is in commissioning mode.

Edit Network Settings

Use Edit Network Settings to change the controller's network configuration.

You can modify:

• Connection Type – Switch between Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

• Wi-Fi Network – Select a different Wi-Fi network and enter the required credentials.

• IP Settings – Modify the IP Address, Gateway, Subnet, and DNS.

Restore Controller

Use Restore Controller to resend the configuration to the controller currently in commissioning mode.

This can be useful if the configuration process failed or if the controller was not commissioned correctly.

Unlike Restore Controller when setting up a new controller, you do not need to select another controller. The configuration is resent directly to the controller currently in commissioning mode.

Other Controller Actions

The following actions are available for existing controllers when required.

Copy Controller

Copy Controller allows you to create a new controller based on the configuration of an existing controller.

The new controller inherits the existing controller's I/O Settings and Automations.

Reset Controller

Reset Controller resets the controller configuration to its factory state.

This can be useful when a controller is being repurposed for a different installation. Instead of deleting I/Os individually, the reset removes the configured I/Os and clears the controller configuration.

To reset a controller, press and hold the existing controller and select Reset. A confirmation message will appear.

Please note: Resetting the controller permanently deletes its configuration and cannot be undone.

Transfer Controller Between Buildings

Transfer Controller allows you to move a controller from one Building to another without deleting and recommissioning it manually.

To transfer a controller:

1. Press and hold the existing controller.

2. Select Transfer.

3. Select the destination Building.

During the transfer, the configuration is resent to the controller in the new Building.

Delete Controller

Delete Controller removes the controller and its entire configuration from the current Building.

To delete a controller, the controller must first be placed into Commissioning Mode.

After the deletion is completed, the controller is reset and can be commissioned again in another Building or project.

Please note: Deleting a controller permanently removes its configuration and all I/Os assigned to it from the current Building.

Technical Notes

• If an input directly influences an output, place both on the same controller. For example, if an RFID reader is used to open a door, the RFID reader and the door lock output should be connected to the same controller or if a button is used to control a lamp, the button input and the lamp output should be connected to the same controller. This keeps the reaction local and independent of the network. 

• Plan sufficient space in the distribution cabinet for the controller, power supply, and outgoing terminals, with additional space for future expansion.

• Use a wired Ethernet connection where possible. Wi-Fi communication inside a metal distribution cabinet can be unreliable.

• The dashed border shown around a controller in the controller list indicates that the controller has not yet been commissioned.

• A static IP address is recommended where the controller must remain reachable at a known address.

• The phone used for commissioning must have Bluetooth enabled and remain within Bluetooth range of the controller.