If the current stays above the set limit for longer than the trip time, the output hard-stops (motor braking). DIP switch SW3 sets that time: 50ms (default, high sensitivity) or 150ms. After a trip, the status LED pulses red once a second until you give an opposite-direction command or a STOP input.

With auto-reverse enabled (SW4 ON), the output drives the other way for 2 seconds after a P1/P2 trip, without an operator command, so keep clear of the load. Any input, or STOP, cancels the reverse.

Separately, a fixed 20A fast cut-off stops the output if the current exceeds 20A for >10ms, for example on a short circuit or a severe stall. Movement is then blocked for 10 seconds, shown by a repeating triple red blink.

Advanced users only: to use an external potentiometer or control voltage, remove the resistor labelled EN (this disables P3) and connect to the board pads V, S and G (3V3, speed signal and ground). S at 3.3V gives 100% speed and S at 0V gives 20%.

Wired and remote modes are set independently. Each switch change is confirmed by two red blinks, and if the output is running when a change registers, it stops.

Each strip reads left to right over time.

Temperature. The output stops at roughly 70–80°C, measured on the board beside the output transistors, and resumes automatically once cooled, with no power cycle needed. An independent hardware cut-off acts at roughly 80–90°C. Both are well below the ratings of the fitted components.

Reverse polarity. The controller is protected against reverse connection of the DC supply and won't operate until it is corrected.

Low-current drop-out. Many actuators have built-in limit switches that cut the motor current at the ends of travel. If the output is on but the current stays below ~50mA for over 1 second, the controller assumes the end of travel has been reached (or the load is disconnected) and switches off, with two red blinks. The next movement command re-arms the output. This also helps diagnose an installation where nothing happens.

Hardware self-tests. At power-on, and continuously while running, the controller tests its own drive hardware, including sensor plausibility checks. A detected fault disables the output with a blue LED indication.

Start-up lock-out. The controller won't act on a direction input that is already on. A fresh D1 or D2 input is needed after power-on, after a fault lock-out clears and after any internal reset, which prevents unexpected movement when power is restored.

Fault recovery. After a 20A overcurrent or a voltage error, movement is blocked for 10 seconds and the LED keeps showing the fault for 30 seconds.

On-board fuse. A 15A 32V ATOF automotive blade fuse (Littelfuse 0287015) is fitted as a secondary failsafe. The electronic 20A cut-off acts faster than most fuses, so it is unlikely to blow in normal use. If you replace it, use no more than 20A.

The controller is supplied mounted in a tough ANC160 flame-retardant ABS enclosure (101 × 69 × 40mm body, 133mm overall length, 2 × Ø3.5mm flange mounting holes at 112mm centres). Cable entries are via the included M10 cable glands: two end-entry positions for the input power and output motor cables, and a side-entry position for wired control. The side position is closed with a blanking plug as supplied, which must stay fitted unless replaced with the included gland.

With glands correctly fitted (tightened onto round multicore cable of 3–6mm diameter), unused entries blanked and the lid secured with its four M4 screws, the installed assembly achieves an IP54 rating. Note that IP54 is not an outdoor rating: for outdoor use, install within a suitably rated outer enclosure.

Mount on a flat, rigid surface in any orientation. Where splashing is possible, point the cable glands downward or sideways so water drains away. A translucent light guide carries the status LED through the side of the enclosure.

The controller has no external heatsink and sheds heat gradually through the enclosure, so it is best suited to intermittent, low-duty operation. Leave clearance for airflow and avoid hot surfaces and direct sunlight. Sustained high-current loads may trigger the automatic overtemperature response.

Check the status LED on the side. Two red blinks means low-current drop-out: The motor may be disconnected (check the terminal connections), or an actuator may already be at the end of its travel (with a limit switch preventing movement), so try the other direction. Solid red means the STOP input is active, or D1 and D2 are active together which also triggers a stop response. A repeating single red blink means a limit input is open and preventing movement, so check the red shorting links (jumpers) or your limit switches.
After power-on or a fault, release and re-apply an input. As a safety measure a fresh input is required to enable the output after a power reset.

The load has exceeded the current limit for that direction and the output has been turned off automatically. Turn up P1 (for D1) or P2 (for D2), or set SW3 to ON for the slower 150ms trip time (the default sensitivity is 50ms). The overcurrent trip clears with any of an opposite-direction command, a STOP input, or a power reset.

The voltage error indicates either that the supply dropped below 9V (this can happen if it's undersized for the load), that it rose above 32V, or that it rose by more than 20% from its value at the start of a movement, which can happen if the supply can't absorb regenerative current. Make sure the blue deceleration link is on M1 (the default) to disable regenerative braking if you see this issue. If the error continues, consider a different power supply.

Yes, within the input levels. D1, D2 and STOP read HIGH at 2-12V and LOW at 0-0.8V, so 3.3V, 5V and 12V logic outputs can drive them directly, provided that the signal's 0V is shared with the controller's supply GND. Outputs above 12V, such as 24V PLC outputs, require either level shifters or resistors to be added in series with each input (a 4.7kOhm resistor is appropriate if the input signal is 24V). Ask us if you're unsure.

Yes. When an actuator's internal limit switch cuts the motor current at the end of travel, the controller detects the drop, switches the output off and shows two red blinks to indicate that the load is no longer present and that the output has turned off automatically. The next movement command re-arms the output.

11A is the maximum current limit setting, so if the average load is too close to this you could have overcurrent trip responses regularly. The controller is generally best suited to intermittent, low-duty operation, as it has no external heatsink. Sustained high-current loads may trigger the overtemperature response, after which the output resumes automatically once the controller cools. The environmental temperature and air flow factors in to the constant loads that are possible, we have tested with 6A continuous load with the lid on at an ambient 20°C, without issue. Contact us to discuss continuous-duty applications.

IP54 is not an outdoor rating. For outdoor use, install the controller within a suitably rated outer enclosure, with the cable glands facing downward or sideways.

Any Blue flash indicates a hardware fault found by the controller's self-tests. Remove and reapply power to reset. If blue returns, stop using the device and contact us, quoting the number of blinks (or solid on).