BACnet and Modbus RTU

Communication Interfaces
for Trane™ Chillers with Tracer UC800 Control

Only qualified personnel should install and service the equipment. The installation,
starting up, and servicing of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment can be
hazardous and requires specific knowledge and training. Improperly installed, adjusted or
altered equipment by an unqualified person could result in death
or serious injury. When working on the equipment, observe all precautions in the
literature and on the tags, stickers, and labels that are attached to the equipment.

Original instructions

January 2021 BAS-SVP022C-GB

Table of Contents
Overview ................................................................................................................................. 4

Tracer UC800 Controller Rotary Switches .................................................................. 5

Equivalent Data Points Reference List: BACnet, Modbus RTU ................................. 6

BACnet Data Points and Configuration Property Definitions ................................... 7

Modbus RTU Data Points and Configuration Property Definitions ........................... 8

Additional Resources .................................................................................................. 8

Glossary ........................................................................................................................9

2
Warnings, Cautions and Notices
Warning, cautions and notices are provided in appropriate places throughout this document:

Warning!
Indicate a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.
Caution!
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in minor or
moderate injury. It could also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
NOTICE!
Indicates a situation that could result in equipment or property - damage - only accidents.
 Overview
Interoperability provides the capability for building control systems or devices from multiple vendors to
communicate with each other through open,
standard protocols. Trane has adopted open, standard interoperable protocols to give customers the flexibility to
choose the best possible vendor for their building subsystems and easily incorporate Trane products into legacy
systems in existing buildings. This guide will provide:
• A brief overview of two of these protocols supported by Trane — BACnet ™ and Modbus ™ Remote Terminal
Unit (RTU)
• BACnet / Modbus RTU addressing
• BACnet / Modbus RTU data points and configuration property definitions
• Additional resources
• Glossary of terms
Note: Users of this guide should have basic knowledge of BACnet/Modbus protocols. For more detailed information about
these protocols, visit these company’s web sites listed under “Additional Resources”.

BACnet Protocol
The Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135-2004) protocol is a
standard that allows building automation systems or components from different manufacturers to share information
and control functions. BACnet provides building owners the capability to connect various types of building control
systems or subsystems together for a variety of reasons. In addition, multiple vendors can use this protocol to
share information for monitoring and supervisory control between systems and devices in a multi-vendor
interconnected system.
The BACnet protocol identifies standard objects (data points) called BACnet objects. Each object has a defined list
of properties that provide information about that object. BACnet also defines a number of standard application
services that are used to access data and manipulate these objects and provides a client/server communication
between devices.
BACnet Testing Laboratory (BTL) Certification
All Tracer™ UC800 controllers are designed to support BACnet communication protocol. In addition, some
particular revisions of the UC800 firmware have been tested and have achieved BTL certification by an official
BACnet testing laboratory. For more details, refer to the BTL website at: www.bacnetassociation.org.

Modbus RTU Protocol

Modicon Communication Bus (Modbus) is an application layer-messaging protocol that, like BACnet, provides
client/server communication between devices over
a variety of networks. During communications on a Modbus RTU network, the protocol determines how each
controller will know its device address, recognize a message addressed to its device, determine what action to
take, and extract any data or other information contained in the message. Controllers communicate using a
master/slave technique, whereby, only one
device (master) can initiate transactions (queries). Other devices (slaves) respond by supplying the requested data
to the master or by taking the action requested in the query.
The master can address individual slaves or it can initiate a broadcast message to all slaves. In turn, the slaves
respond to queries that are addressed to them individually or broadcasted. The Modbus RTU protocol establishes
the format for the master’s query by placing into it the device address, a function code defining the requested
action, any data to be sent, and an error- checking field.

4
 Tracer UC800 Controller Rotary Switches
This section provides information about the Tracer ™ UC800 controller rotary switches and LED displays.

Communication Interfaces
The UC800 supports the communication interfaces listed below. There is one set of terminations (link) for BACnet
and Modbus. LonTalk™ and Comm 4 communication interfaces connect to the IPC3 bus which is the MBUS
connection.
• BACnet MS / TP
• Modbus Slave
• LonTalk using LCI-C (from the IPC3 bus) Note: Refer to “Additional Resources”.
• Comm4 using TCI (from the IPC3 bus)

Rotary Switches
There are three rotary switches on the front of the UC800. See Figure 1. Use these switches to define a three-digit
address when the UC800 is installed in a BACnet or Modbus RTU system (for example, 107, 127, and so on).
Note: Valid MAC addresses are 001 to 127 for BACnet and 001 to 247 for Modbus RTU. For additional information
about setting higher addresses, refer to “Device ID”.

LED Description and Operation

There are 10 LEDs on the front of the UC800. Figure 1 shows the locations of each LED and a description of its
behavior in specific instances.
Figure 1 - LED locations

Marquee LED
• Shows solid green when the UC800 is powered and operating normally.
• Shows solid red when the UC800 is powered, but represents low power or a malfunction.
• Blinks red when an alarm exists.

LINK, MBUS, IMC

• The TX LED blinks green at the data transfer rate when the UC800 transfers data to other devices on the link.
• The RX LED blinks yellow at the data transfer rate when the UC800 receives data from other devices on the link.

Ethernet Link
• The LINK LED shows solid green if the Ethernet link is connected and communicating.
• The ACT LED blinks yellow at the data transfer rate when data flow is active on the link.

SERVICE
• Shows solid green when pressed.(For more details, refer to the document, Installation, Operation, and
Maintenance Guide for Chillers with Tracer UC800 Control listed in the section, “Additional Resources”.
IMC +24 IMC
VDC
LINK MBUS

LINK MBUS IMC

UC800
TX
LINK MBUS IMC
TX
RX
RX
LINK
SERVICE LINK
ACT
SERVICETOOL SERVICE
ACT
ADDRESS

x100 x10 x1

USB
Equivalent Data Points Reference List: BACnet,
Modbus RTU
For equivalent data points reference list for a specific Trane chiller, contact your local sales office.

6
 BACnet Data Points and Configuration Property
Definitions
The Tracer UC800 controller is an equipment unit controller that provides the equipment system sequences and
performs closed-loop control. In addition, the UC800 integrates with other BACnet systems and devices using
BACnet MS/TP. This section includes information about:
• BACnet protocol implementation conformance statement (PICS)
• Object types: descriptions and configuration
• Baud rate, Device ID, and character set

BACnet Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS)

Standardized Device Profile
BACnet application specific controller (B-ASC)

Interoperability Building Blocks

Data Sharing
• Data Sharing-Read Property-B(DS-RP-B)
• Data Sharing-Read Property Multiple-B(DS-RPM-B)
• DataSharing-WriteProperty-B(DS-WP-B)
• Data Sharing-Write Property Multiple-B(DS-WPM-B)

Alarm and Event Management

• Alarm and Event-Notification Internal-B(AE-N-I-B)
• Alarm and Event-Information-B(AE-INFO-B)

Device Management
• Device Management-Dynamic Device Binding-A (DM-DDB-A)
• Device Management-Dynamic Device Binding-B (DM-DDB-B)
• Device Management-Dynamic Object Binding-B (DM-DOB-B)
• Device Management-Device Communication Control-B(DM-DCC-B)
• Device Management-Time Synchronization-B (DM-TS-B)
• Device Management-UTCTime Synchronization-B (DM-UTC-B)

For BACnet data points and configuration property definitions list for a specific Trane chiller, contact your local
sales office.
 Modbus RTU Data Points and Configuration Property
Definitions
The Tracer UC800 controller is an equipment unit controller which provides the equipment system sequences and
performs closed-loop control. In addition, the UC800 integrates with Modbus systems and devices using Modbus
RTU protocol. This section includes information about baud rate, parity, and supported character sets

Protocol: Baud Rate, Parity, and Supported Character Sets

Baud Rate: 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19200 (default), 38400, 57600 or 115200
Parity: Even (default) or None
Stop Bits: One (default) or two

For Modbus data points and configuration property definitions list for a specific Trane chiller, contact your local
sales office.

Additional Resources
Use the following documents and links as additional resources:
• RTHD Evo, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual (IOM: RLC-SVX018*)
• RTAF, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual (IOM: RLC-SVX019*)
• GVAF, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual (IOM: CTV-SVX009*)
• RTHF/RTWF, Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual (IOM: RLC-SVX021*)
• LonTalk™ Communication Interface for Trane Chillers with Tracer AdaptiView Control Hardware and Software
Installation Guide (ACC-SVN10*-EN)
• Tracer TU Service Tool (CTV-SVD03*-EN)
• www.bacnet.org
• www.bacnetassociation.org
• www.modbus.org
• www.ashrae.org

Note: For further assistance, contact your local Trane Sales Office.

8
Glossary
ASHRAE: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-conditioning Engineers
An international organization of 50,000 persons with chapters throughout the world. The Society is organized for
the sole purpose of advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. It
benefits the public with its research, standards writing, continuing education, and publications.
BACnet™
See Building Automation Control network
BACnet interoperability building blocks (BIBB)
A block of BACnet application services that tells vendors what BACnet services must be implemented to provide
specific device functionality. The BIBBs are grouped together into BACnet device profiles.
BACnet object
An abstract representation of the physical point or points where data is input from or output to an I/O device. Each
object may have several BACnet properties that describe the status of that object.
Baud rate
The number of signaling elements that occur each second during electronic data transmission. At slow speeds,
baud indicates the number of bits per second that are transmitted. For example, 500 baud means that 500 bits are
transmitted each second (abbreviated 500bps). At higher speeds, multiple bits may be encoded with each electrical
change. For example, 4800 baud may allow 9600 bits to be sent each second. Data transmission rates at high
speeds are generally expressed in bits per second (bps) rather than baud. For example, a 9600 bps mode may
operate at only 2400 baud.
Building Automation Control network (BACnet and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 135-2004)
An interoperable protocol developed specifically for the building controls industry. The American National
Standards Institute named it as a standard and Trane advocates BACnet protocol for use in system-level control
devices.
Configuration (Tracer™UC800 controller)
Refers to the use of the Tracer TU service tool to select the chiller type, tonnage, and other options, of a Tracer
UC800 controller.
Device
A device is a standard BACnet object as defined by ASHRAE Standard 135-2004. The Tracer UC800 contains the
BACnet object.
Device ID
The Device ID issued to uniquely identify each BACnet Device and it can be in the range of 0 to 4194302. There
cannot be more than one device using the same Device ID. Each of the sample applications operate as a device
and requires its own device id which defaults to zero.
Holding register (read/write)
A function code used to read the content from contiguous block of holding registers in a remote device used with
the Modbus protocol.
Input register (read-only)
A function code used to read from 1 to 125 contiguous input registers in a remote device used with the Modbus
protocol.
Interoperability
The ability to integrate equipment from different vendors into a comprehensive automation and control system. In
addition, digital communications between products designed independently , but designed to the same
communication standard.
LLID
Low level intelligent device.
Modbus
A communications standard developed by Modicon for industrial control systems. Modbus variations include
Modbus RTU , Intel Modbus RTU, Modbus Plus, and Modbus TCP/IP.
protocol
A set of rules (language) that governs the exchange of data over a digital communications system.
RLA
Rated load amps.
Tracer UC800 controller
Name of a family of Trane chiller controllers.
Trane - by Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT), a global climate innovator - creates comfortable, energy efficient indoor environments for
commercial and residential applications. For more information, please visit trane.eu or tranetechnologies.com.
Trane has a policy of continuous product and product data improvement and reserves the right to change design and specifications without notice.

BAS-SVP022C-GB_0121 ©2021 Trane

Supersedes BAS-SVP022B-GB_1116