Request quote

System Integrators

Integration and protocols RAPIX software Contact technical team

RAPIX Zone Controllers are built for integration into BMS, SCADA, and AV workflows. Multiple DALI lines connect over standard Ethernet — there is no proprietary communications backbone between controllers.

Note

What is a zone? In DALI, units are individually addressed devices and groups are collections on a single line. RAPIX zones are logical groupings of units, groups, and lines across a project.

External systems reach RAPIX over familiar field protocols and APIs. Commissioning and day-to-day configuration use the RAPIX Integrator PC tool (free for verified integrators).

Integration surface

  • BACnet/IP — BMS and building-automation head-ends
  • Modbus TCP — SCADA and legacy supervisory interfaces
  • MQTT — event and telemetry into IoT platforms
  • Art-Net and sACN — DMX-over-Ethernet from a zone controller to AV and theatrical fittings
  • RAPIX JSON API (DGCM) — JSON command and response messages over TCP (port 36689), HTTP, or WebSocket on the zone controller Ethernet interface
  • Native RAPIX protocol — secured controller-to-controller traffic on the IT network

Modbus TCP, BACnet/IP, MQTT, and the RAPIX JSON API use a single integration point: connect your head-end to one zone controller for whole-project visibility and control — every other controller on the site LAN is reached over the native RAPIX backbone. Redundant head-end connections to a second zone controller are also supported.

Protocol options listed require no additional licence fees beyond the hardware — simply enable the functionality in the project, and confirm register maps and object models against your target platform during design.

Topology at a glance

RAPIX zone controller topology: BMS head-end, Ethernet backbone, zone controllers, and DALI line devices BMS / SCADA / AV head-end, BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, API, …, Ethernet backbone, Zone Controller(s), Zone Controller(s), DALI line, Occupancy sensor, LED driver, Switch input Integration and protocols for system integrators BMS / SCADA / AV head-end Field protocols supported on zone controllers BACnet, Modbus, MQTT, API, … Standard IT LAN — no proprietary lighting backbone Ethernet backbone 2 or 4 onboard DALI lines (model-dependent). Up to 2 more via DALI-2 Ethernet Interfaces (2 lines each) — 8 lines max per controller. Scale sites by adding zone controllers. Zone Controller(s) One or more DALI lines 2 or 4 onboard DALI lines (model-dependent). Up to 2 more via DALI-2 Ethernet Interfaces (2 lines each) — 8 lines max per controller. Scale sites by adding zone controllers. Zone Controller(s) One or more DALI lines IEC 62386 bus to individually addressed gear DALI line Occupancy sensor LED driver Switch input
Illustrative topology — one DALI line shown per controller; line count and Ethernet Interfaces vary by model. Large sites scale by adding zone controllers.

Zone controllers are available with 2 or 4 onboard DALI lines. DALI-2 Ethernet Interfaces add 2 lines each (up to two per controller, 8 lines max per controller).

Controller count depends on:

  • Line count — up to 8 DALI lines per zone controller (onboard lines plus Ethernet Interfaces). 10 lines typically means:
    • One 4-line zone controller paired with a 2-line DALI-2 Ethernet Interface (6 lines under that controller). The interface is managed by its parent controller over Ethernet — on the controller’s second port, or remotely anywhere on the site LAN.
    • One more 4-line zone controller (10 lines total).
  • Site layout — place zone controllers and Ethernet Interfaces where DALI cable runs are shortest; an interface only needs LAN reachability to its parent controller.

There is no fixed limit on how large an installation can grow — existing projects exceed 100 zone controllers on a single site. Every controller on the site LAN belongs to one RAPIX project, commissioned and managed together in RAPIX Integrator. Zones are defined across that whole project as needed — spanning lines, Ethernet Interfaces, and multiple controllers, not tied to a single device or location.

Software and documentation

For platform-specific questions, register maps, or pre-sales technical review, contact our technical team with your head-end, line count, and network diagram if available. More Solutions provides UK supply and pre-sales technical review for RAPIX projects.