Waveshare 8-Channel Modbus POE ETH Relay Driver

by Smart Home Programming and Automation

Overview

This driver controls the Waveshare Modbus POE ETH Relay 8-Channel module via TCP/IP network connection using Modbus RTU over TCP protocol.

Device Specifications

1. 8 independent relay channels

2. Relay rating: 10A 250VAC / 30VDC

3. Protocol: Modbus RTU over TCP

4. Default port: 4196

5. Default IP: 192.168.1.200

Configuration Settings

Connection Settings

1. IP Address - The IP address of your Waveshare relay module (default: 192.168.1.200)

2. TCP Port - The Modbus TCP port (default: 4196)

3. Device Address - The Modbus device address (default: 1, range 1-247)

Relay Naming

You can assign custom names to each relay for easier identification in your RTI interface. These names will appear in the function lists and variable displays.

Polling

Polling Interval - How often the driver queries the relay status in milliseconds (default: 5000ms = 5 seconds). Set to higher values to reduce network traffic, or lower values for faster status updates.

Available Functions

Individual Relay Control

Each relay (1-8) has the following functions:

1. Relay X - On - Turns the relay ON

2. Relay X - Off - Turns the relay OFF

3. Relay X - Toggle - Toggles the relay state

All Relays Control

1. All Relays - On - Turns all 8 relays ON simultaneously

2. All Relays - Off - Turns all 8 relays OFF simultaneously

3. All Relays - Toggle - Toggles all 8 relays simultaneously

Generic Control

1. Relay On By Number - Turn ON a specific relay by number (1-8)

2. Relay Off By Number - Turn OFF a specific relay by number (1-8)

3. Relay Toggle By Number - Toggle a specific relay by number (1-8)

4. Set Relay State - Set a specific relay to ON or OFF

Status Functions

1. Query All Relay Status - Manually query the current state of all relays

2. Force Reconnect - Force the driver to reconnect to the relay module

Available Variables

Connection

1. Connection State - Integer (0=Disconnected, 1=Connected)

2. Connected - Boolean true when connected

3. Disconnected - Boolean true when disconnected

All Relays

1. All Relays Status Byte - Bitmask (0-255) of all relay states

2. All Relays On - Boolean true when all relays are ON

3. All Relays Off - Boolean true when all relays are OFF

Individual Relays (1-8)

1. Relay X - State - Boolean state (true=ON, false=OFF)

2. Relay X - Name - The configured name for the relay

Available Events

Connection Events

1. CONNECTED - Fired when connection is established

2. DISCONNECTED - Fired when connection is lost

Individual Relay Events (1-8)

1. RELAYXON - Fired when relay X turns ON

2. RELAYXOFF - Fired when relay X turns OFF

3. RELAYXCHANGED - Fired when relay X state changes

All Relays Events

1. ALLRELAYSON - Fired when all relays become ON

2. ALLRELAYSOFF - Fired when all relays become OFF

3. RELAYSTATECHANGED - Fired when any relay state changes

Network Setup

Before using this driver, ensure your Waveshare relay module is properly configured:

1. Connect the relay module to your network via Ethernet or PoE

2. Configure the module's IP address to match your network (default: 192.168.1.200)

3. Ensure the TCP port is set to 4196 (default)

4. The Modbus device address should be 1 (default)

5. Ensure your RTI processor can reach the relay module on the network

You can configure the module using the Waveshare Vircom software or via the module's web interface.

Troubleshooting

Cannot Connect

1. Verify the IP address and port are correct

2. Ensure the relay module is powered and connected to the network

3. Check that no firewall is blocking port 4196

4. Ping the relay module to verify network connectivity

Relays Not Responding

1. Check the Device Address setting matches the module configuration

2. Use the "Test Connection" debug function to check status

3. Enable Debug Trace for detailed logging

Status Not Updating

1. Check the polling interval setting

2. Use "Query All Relay Status" to manually refresh

3. Verify connection status is "Connected"

Technical Notes

1. This driver uses Modbus RTU over TCP (not Modbus TCP)

2. Pre-calculated CRC values are used for device address 1

3. The driver automatically reconnects if the connection is lost

4. Relay states are polled periodically and after each command

Licensing

This driver is sold through the Smart Home Programming Driver Store.

Driver Store: https://shpdrivers.services/store/

Your Account: https://shpdrivers.services/store/account.html

Free Trial:

The driver operates in a 2-hour trial mode without a licence key. The trial provides full functionality and resets each time the RTI processor is rebooted.

To Purchase:

1. Create an account at https://shpdrivers.services/store/

2. Add this driver to your cart

3. Enter your RTI processor MAC address during checkout

4. Complete payment and receive your licence key by email

5. Enter the licence key in the driver configuration

Version History

v1.1 - Licensing update

1. Added licence key validation with HMAC-MD5

2. 2-hour trial mode for evaluation

v1.0 - Initial release

1. Support for 8 individual relay control (ON/OFF/Toggle)

2. All relays control (ON/OFF/Toggle)

3. Automatic status polling

4. Connection state monitoring with auto-reconnect

5. Custom relay naming

6. Event generation for state changes

Support

For bug reports, technical support, or feature requests, please use the ticket system in your account at the Driver Store.

Store: https://shpdrivers.services/store/

Email: david@smarthomeprogramming.com.au

Device Documentation:

https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/Modbus_POE_ETH_Relay

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