pCO sistema

programmable controllers

T e c h n o l o g y & E v o l u t i o n
The complete, flexible
and reliable solution
pCO sistema is the result of CAREL’s years of experience in the
design and manufacture of programmable controllers for
HVAC/R units.
pCO sistema consists of programmable controllers, user
interfaces, software tools for the development of applications,

and a series of optional boards to interface to the more

commonly-used Building Management Systems and a

proprietary supervisory system.
Today, then, not only are the quality and the reliability of the
instruments important, but also the degree of external
connectability they can offer.

The pCO sistema family controllers come in a number of sizes,

according to the number and type of inputs/outputs, the use of
the Built-In terminal, and the size of the flash memory available.

Everything required to offer the OEMs working in HVAC/R a

control system that is powerful yet flexible, and can easily be
customised in both aesthetic and functional terms.

ITA italiano
21.6
english

GB
 DIN rail
The top of the range
EasyTools
System pCO3 represents the most advanced offering by CAREL in the field of
programmable controllers. pCO3 is designed for many air-conditioning
datalogging and refrigeration applications.
All the boards feature a new quartz, and consequently the calculation
pCO local power and operation processing speed have been significantly increased.
area network
As for all the pCO series controllers, pCO3 comes in a plastic case that
Pt1000 ensures a high index of protection and reduces the risk of electrostatic
discharges due to incorrect handling. In addition, assembly is simplified
32 Mb by the DIN rail mounting system, allowing significant saving in wiring
datalogging
and assembly times.
time bands and
alarm memory Given the increasing demand for integration, pCO3 can interface with
BMS systems via many of the most commonly-used serial communication
extended temperature
range standards, using optional boards.

ITA All of these features ensure a level of excellence in responding to the

italiano
multi-language
english

GB needs of the HVAC/R market.

21.6
built in
graphic

field device
control

ratiometric
inputs
Based on the experience acquired so far, pCO3 offers As well as the pLAN and BMS serial ports, pCO3 offers
greater safety due to the optical isolation of the serial an additional third port for connection to field devices
pLAN, protection of the analogue inputs in the event (valves, I/O expansions, electronic valve drivers…)
of incorrect connections, and an extended range of using optional RS485, tLAN or MP-BUS® boards, an
operating temperatures (-25T70 °C). analogue or GSM modem using an RS232 board, or
3
pCO is also synonymous with quality. In fact, as well as the control of fan coils using the CANbus board
3
CE and UL certification, pCO has VDE certification and (e-dronic system).
compatibility with standards EN50155 and EN13485;
pCO3 can consequently resist shock, vibrations, humidity
and an extended range of temperatures.

circuit n...

PWM
FCS

pLAN
circuit 1 circuit 2
pCO3 has been designed for
E4V
EVD highly complex HVAC/R
pLAN applications. With its high
number of I/O, it can, for
EVD
example, completely control
chillers and heat pumps with
PWM
semi-hermetic, screw or
FCS centrifugal compressors.
110

Small (227,5) - 13 DIN modules

DIN rail
mounting Medium/Large/Extra large (315) - 18 DIN modules 60
 The competitive solution
DIN rail
The pCO1 series has been designed for the purpose of providing the
significant innovations introduced by the pCO2 to all those applications
EasyTools
System that require greater competitiveness in terms of price.
The pCO1 controllers are available in two different sizes, according to
datalogging
the I/O and power requirements: pCO1 Small, pCO1 Medium.
Some models feature an SSR to control the devices that require frequent
pCO local
area network starts and stops.
The pCO1 inputs can be configured using dipswitches, allowing the
time bands and
alarm memory characteristics of the inputs to be adapted to the more common market
standards (NTC, 0 to 1 Vdc, 0 to 5 Vdc, 0 to 20 mA, 4 to 20 mA, ON/OFF)
ITA italiano
multi-language
english

GB All the pCO1 series controllers feature a 16-bit microprocessor, and 2 MB

field device flash memory.

control

ratiometric
inputs
 The management of the logged data, using an optional pCO1 also offers an additional third port for
board and real time clock, means that a pCO1 can manage connection to field devices (valves, I/O
black box functions. In fact, all the active alarms can be expansions, electronic valve drivers…) using
saved, along with the main physical values controlled and optional RS485, tLAN or MP-BUS® boards, an
the status of the controlled devices. analogue or GSM modem using an RS232
The black box data can then be transferred via the board, or the control of fan coils using the
programming key or to a PC via modem. CANbus board (e-dronic system).

pLAN second
circuit

MCHRTF*
In roof-top units, for example,
E2V EVD4*
pCO1 can manage the
temperature and the humidity of
the air-conditioned environment, PWM

as well as the freecooling and pCO1

freeheating outside
functions to air intake

optimise the
operation of the unit by
exploiting the outside
temperature conditions.
return air outlet
air intake into the room
110

Small (227,5) - 13 DIN modules

DIN rail
mounting Medium (315) - 18 DIN modules 60
 DIN rail
built in
EasyTools
System
time bands and
alarm memory

datalogging
extended
temperature
range
pCO local
area network ITA italiano
multi-language
english

GB
Belimo
actuators ratiometric
inputs

pLAN

Compactness and reliability

pCOXS has been designed to make the potential of the pCO E2V
PWM EVD4*
sistema family programmable controllers available to all those
applications that until now have been covered only by
MCHRTF*
parametric controllers. Using this controller, the software for
single circuit chillers and heat pumps, small roof-top units and
precision air-conditioners can be quickly customised based on the
specific needs of the individual manufacturer. pCOXS is also ideal
for the manufacturers of air handling systems. Indeed, a special
version is available with the Belimo MP-BUS® protocol for easy
connection to up to 8 servo controls. This consequently allows
the management of large systems for limited costs. The hardware features of pCOXS, such as the
wide range DC power supply (22 to 60 Vdc)
and voltage-free digital inputs, make it ideal for
the shelter management applications.
110

DIN rail 140 - 8 DIN modules 60

mounting
 PCO3*XL PCO3*XL
Model PCO3*S PCO3*M PCO3*L
ver. NO ver. NC
PCO1*S PCO1*M PCO1*X PCOC*

Max. flash memory capacity 4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 4 MB 2 MB 2 MB 2 MB 1 MB

Nand Flash n n n n n
Real Time Clock l l l l l n n n n
pLAN l l l l l l l l l
Opto-isolated pLAN n n n n n
tLAN n n n n n n n l n
Pre-set for programming key l l l l l l l l l
0
pGD built-in display n n n n n
1
pGD built-in display n n n n n
4x20 built-in display n
LED indicators n n n n n
Serial interface for
communication with I/O n n l l l n n n
expansion
Black box l l l l l n n n
CAREL prtocol l l l l l l l l l
®
Metasys compatible l l l l l l l l l
Modbus® RTU protocol l l l l l l l l l
LonWorks® protocol n n n n n n n n n
BACnet™ Ethernet™
n n n n n n n n n
protocol
BACnet™ MS/TP protocol n n n n n n n n n
HTTP/FTP/SNMP protocol n n n n n n n n n
CANbus protocol n n n n n n n n
®
MP-BUS Belimo n n n n n n n l
Modem, modem GSM,
l l l l l l l l l
SMS ready
Max. n. of analogue inputs 5 8 10 8 10 6 8 4 8
PT1000 inputs 2 2 4 2 4
0 to 10 Vdc inputs 3 6 6 6 6
0 to 1 Vdc inputs 3 6 6 6 6 4 4 2 4
4 to 20 mA or
3 6 6 6 6 4 4 2 4
0 to 20 mA inputs
NTC inputs 5 8 10 8 10 6 8 4 8
0 to 5 Vdc
3 6 6 6 6 4 4 4
ratiometric inputs
AIN setting by software l l l l l l
AIN setting by dip-switch l l l
Max. n. of digital inputs 8 14 18 14 14 8 14 6 12
24 Vac/dc inputs 8 14 18 14 14 8 14 12
230 Vac/dc inputs 2 4 2 2 8 2 2
Free contact inputs 2 2 4 2 4 2 2 6
Max. number of
4 4 6 4 4 4 4 3 2
analogue outputs
Uscite 0...10 Vdc 4 4 6 4 4 2 2 2 2
PWM outputs
2 2 1
(phase cutting)
Max. no. of digital
8 13 18 29 27 8 13 5 13
outputs
SPST relay outputs 7 10 13 26 24 7 10 4 10
SPDT relay outputs 1 3 5 3 3 1 3 1 3
Max. no. of SSR output 2 4 6 6 6 2 4 2
Alimentazione 48 Vdc n n n n n n n l n

l standard - n opzionale
User terminals

The pCO sistema currently features 3 series of interfaces:

the pGD0-1 series, the pGD2-3 series and the pLD series.
The HW structure and modularity of these terminals
ensure that the right model is always available, as

regards performance, cost and appearance.

The graphic functions provided by the CAREL

development tools means that the user interfaces

are completely programmable and can be configured

so as to best respond to the customer’s applications

requirements.

pGD2 and pGD3 are two terminals with high-tech features,

such as the 5.7” touchscreen display with ¼ VGA
resolution and the 32-bit microprocessor that manages
complex graphic images up to 320x240 pixels in size in up
to 256 colours, animated icons, non-proportional fonts in
Unicode format, as well as graphs of alarms, temperature
values, humidity, pressure, air speed, etc.
The touchscreen function means that the user can easily
move around even the most complex layouts, without
losing the overall view of the system, and navigate the
pages quickly and instinctively. A keypad on the side of
the display is always available for applications where the

pAD (pCO Ambient Display) is the latest member of the pCO touchscreen is not the preferred solution. pGD2 and pGD3

sistema family of displays. pAD is an icon-based LCD terminal also offer more demanding manufacturers in the HVAC/R

for wall-mounting in the room. Available in two models (with market various customisation and differentiation options.

temperature sensor or temperature and humidity sensors), pAD

can be connected to the pLAN or FieldBus RS485 port,
depending on the model.

The clock as standard for the management of time bands, and

the appealing design make this display ideal for residential or
commercial applications.
pGD0-1 are the basic models in the pCO sistema family of When designing this backlit terminal, CAREL focused special
“terminals”, designed with graphic LCDs so as to offer attention on the simplicity of programming and the quality of
greater versatility and customisation options, while main- performance: the structure of the pGD allows connection to
taining a high aesthetic standard. other keypad modules, which are in turn easily customisable,
thus enabling the most complete product differentiation, at
affordable costs.
The pGD0-1 terminals respectively feature 120x32 pixel and
132x64 pixel graphics management, allowing the display of
different sized graphic images and the main international al-
phabets such as Greek, Chinese, Cyrillic and the Scandinavian
languages.
pGD0 is completely compatible with the software developed
for the CAREL 4x20 user interfaces. In fact, this display can
be connected directly to any pCO sistema series controller
without requiring other software tools.

For all those applications where the cost and compact preclude the possibility to connect a graphic terminal.

dimensions represent important aspects of the application, Moreover, the ease of customisation of the pLD and the

CAREL offers the pLD terminal (programmable LED display) programmability using the EasyTools environment

in the small and large sizes, with 3 and 4 digit display guarantees a competitive solution.

respectively. The use of this terminal does not however

BMS connectivity
CAREL, as well as offering its customers high quality and reliable products, has always paid special attention to the
requirement of OEMs operating in the HVAC/R sector to interface the pCO sistema controllers with the more commonly-used
BMS (Building Management Systems). Today in fact, with the expansion of BMS, the issue of communication between
controllers made by different companies is increasingly important. CAREL has consequently developed compatibility with all
the protocols that are emerging as the standards in HVAC/R and intelligent management systems, such as:
Modbus®, LonWorks®, BACnet™, SNMP.

pCO Web / pCO Net

This board for pCO sistema series controllers is used to interface the controllers with
the emerging protocols (BACnet™ and SNMP) in the HVAC sector, and based on the
Ethernet™ and EIA-485 standards.
Connection is therefore possible to the following networks:
• SNMP v1,v2,v3 networks;
• BACnet™ Ethernet, BACnet™ /IP networks, BACnet™ MS/TP networks;
• LAN or Internet.

LonWorks®
With millions of devices installed all over the world, the LonWorks®
system, developed by Echelon®, is one of the dominant solutions
in the market of automation and control in industry, offices,
homes and transport.
The pCO sistema series controllers are LonWorks® compatible using
special serial boards.
The electrical standard supported is FTT10. CAREL is a LonMark® Partner.

Modbus®
Introduced in the’70s, this has now become one of the most
widely used protocols in BMS. The pCO sistema series
controllers can communicate directly in the Modbus® protocol.
Type of protocol supported: Modbus® slave, RTU mode;
communication standard RS485.

RS232 board
Using an optional RS232 board, all models in the pCO range can be connected to a
PSTN or GSM modem, thus allowing control from a remote station. In addition, the
controllers can send and receive SMS messages (GSM modem only) to signal alarms
or set the fundamental control parameters.
Alternatively, the optional board can be used to interface the pCO controller to a
serial printer.
FieldBus connectivity
From the viewpoint of communication between controllers made by different companies, CAREL also offers a wide variety
of solutions for interfacing the pCO family controllers with field devices such as valves, VFDs, serial sensors, Belimo
actuators etc. In this way, the pCO sistema series controllers not only manage the individual units, but the entire
air-conditioning/refrigeration installation.

The RS485 serial option on the FieldBus serial interface can be used with
the Modbus® Master or CAREL Master protocol. The former is used to
interface the pCO controller with a complete series of field devices that
communicate via a serial connection using the Modbus® RTU protocol. The
CAREL Master protocol, on the other hand, ensures communication with
all CAREL devices, such as the µC, ir33 line products, etc.

The CANbus option allows the pCO

controllers to be connected to the CAREL
fan coil management system (e-drofan),
thus ensuring simpler management of the
installation and optimising, through
synergy between the controllers,
comfort and running costs.

The MP-BUS® protocol can be used

to manage up to 8 Belimo servo
controls via a simple two-wire
connection cable.

The tLAN option is used to connect pCO controller to

CAREL devices, such as I/O expansions (pCOe) or
electronic valve drivers. In addition, this
option can be used to connect
pCO controller to the pLD display.

Models pCO3 and pCO1, using the FieldBus serial interface, and the optional RS232
board, can be connected to a PSTN or GSM modem, thus allowing control from a
remote position. In the same way as for the BMS version, in this case too the
controller can then send and receive SMS messages or manage a serial printer.
Programming tools
The EasyTools development environment is a tool CAREL also provides a vast range of standard
for customising the control strategies in the pCO software applications, designed to respond to the
series controllers in a rapid and intuitive manner. most common control requirements in the refrigera-
The customisation possibilities range from simple tion and air-conditioning sectors.
modifications to the user interface of standard

applications, to the complete development of

custom control algorithms. The vast library of

functions supplied by CAREL, from simple Boolean

functions to very complex functions, allows the

user to safely develop even particularly complex

algorithms. In addition, the autonomy of the

development environment guarantees the privacy
of the software created.

pCO manager is the software used to transfer files The smart-key programmer is used to program the

to and from the pCO sistema controllers. The tool operating mode of the new programming key, and

features two different environments: “Winload” and can transfer files from a PC to the programming key

“smart-key programmer”. and vice-versa.

Using Winload, the files developed in EasyTools can

be transferred to the pCO controller by connecting

it directly to the PC. In addition, the configuration

parameters can be loaded and transferred to another

device, the data for logging can be set and modified,

and the logged data can then be downloaded from

the controller’s memory.
manager
Options
pCO sistema, as well as offering a vast range of programmable controllers, displays and serial communication options, also
features a series of accessories that help the user develop and configure the air-conditioning or refrigeration unit. These include:

The new smart-key Electronic valve driver.

programming key The EVD4* driver controls
for the programming the refrigerant superheat
and service of the by managing the majority
pCO sistema family of electronic expansion
controllers. smart-key simplifies the transfer of data valves with stepper motors offered on the market.
between the controllers installed and a personal computer, Available in two versions, pLAN and tLAN, for connection
using the ample flash memory (16 MB) to store multiple to pCO family controllers.
application programs, Bios and variable logs.
The key is compatible with all pCO controllers, with direct
connection using the telephone connector.
Featuring a microprocessor, the key offers different
operating modes (these can be configured using the pCO
manager tool) and guarantees a high level of protection by Other optional modules
password both in uploading and downloading the software. include:
- CONVONOFF0 to convert
an analogue control output
to an ON/OFF relay output.
- PCO208DI00, pulse divider,
allowing the pCO
e
The pCO expansion board controllers to manage very fast digital inputs, for example
has been designed to power consumption meters.
increase the number of I/O - PCOUMI2000, which controls the fundamental values of
on the pCO family controllers. the CAREL OEM humidifiers (water level and conductivity,
Available in two versions, current sensor). This consequently eliminates the need for
tLAN and RS485, the latter the humidifier controller, with significant cost savings.
model is also compatible with This interface can be used with all controllers in the pCO
the Modbus® RTU protocol. range.
Application examples

pLAN (pCO local area network) Area controller

All the controllers can be connected to pLAN A first pCO controller manages the chiller/HP,
local networks without requiring additional while a second exclusively manages the fan coil
boards, thus allowing the exchange of data and (area controller).
information. The two controllers exchange data via the
As a result, a control system with distributed pLAN, while the connection to the fan coil is
intelligence can be developed simply and reliably made using the CANbus network.
for optimised management of the installation.
The pLAN network is used to manage the The area controller can be connected to the
complete system using just one shared pGD pGD2 or pGD3 for an intuitive and elegant
terminal. graphic interface.

chiller

chiller
pLAN
pLAN

FieldBus

pLAN
CANbus

pLAN close control unit

MAST
ER
FieldBus BELIMO

tLAN tLAN

air handling unit

1 ...5 1 ...5
pCO3 overview drawing

start

mode

CVSTDUTLF0: PCOS00AKC0:
PGD0-1*: PCOS00AKY0: smart USB/RS485 smart-key USB
graphic display programming key converter adapter PGD2-3*: touch screen graphic
CP*: KUE* PCO*: program. display for panel and wall
humidifier control controller mounting
S90CONN*: EVD00004* board
connection cable EEV driver
FCM*
electronic
pAD control
pAD terminal module

pAD

Synoptic

GD1 user interface PCOE004850:

PCO20DCDC0:
scheda espansione
DC/DC power
pCO I/O RS485
supplay
module

FieldBus BMS

CAREL
controllers (ir33, third parties
µC2, etc.) devices PCO100FD10: status
BACnet™ MS/TP

P1 P2 P3
RS485

FieldBus serial board GNX + – RS485

PCOUMI2000:
PCO1000BA0: BACnet™ interface for
RS485 PCOS004850: RS485 interface board
Modbus® master/
OEM series
RS485 serial board humidifiers
CAREL master

CP*: KUE* PCOE004850:

humidifier pCO I/O RS485 PCO1000WB0:
control board expansion board PCOS00FD20: PCO100MDM0:
modem board modem board pCO Web - Ethernet™
/BACnet™ interface board
CANbus CANbus

PCOS00HBF0: GND H+ H– GND H+ H–

CANbus board

PCO100TLN0: PCO10000F0:
tLAN serial board
Available probes
schede LON
PCOS00HBB0:
SPKT: 4 to 20 mA pressure
CANbus board
transducers 0 to 5 V
ratiometric transducers
PCOE00TLN0:
EVD00004* pCO I/O tLAN NTC: temperature probes
EEV driver expansion board

(*): PCOE00TLN0 and PLD* teminals CANNOT

be connected to the tLAN at the same time!
ASP*: industrial ambient
temperature and humidity
PLD*: user terminal probes

PCO100MPB0:
MP-BUS board ASW*: ambient
temperature and humidity
probes

BELIMO BELIMO

ASD*: duct temperature and

Damper Servocontrol humidity probes
servocontrol valve
 pCO1 overview drawing

start

mode

EVD0000200 CP*: KUE* PCO*: program.

EVD000041* humidifier controller
EEV driver control board PGD2-3*: touch screen
CVSTDUTLF0: PCOS00AKC0: graphic display for panel
PGD0-1*: PCOS00AKY0: smart USB/RS485 smart-key USB and wall mounting FCM*
graphic display programming key converter adapter electronic
pAD control
S90CONN*: pAD terminal module
connection cable

pAD

PCO100CEF0:
expansion
memory board

PCO100CLK0:
clock board

PCO20DCDC0: Field-Bus BMS

DC/DC power
supplay module

PCO100FD10: status
BACnet™ MS/TP
RS485

CAREL FieldBus serial board GNX

P1
+
P2
–
P3
RS485

third parties
controllers (ir33, devices
µC2, etc.) PCO1000BA0: BACnet™
RS485 PCOS004850: RS485 interface board
Modbus® master
CAREL master RS485 serial board

PCOUMI2000:
CP*: KUE* PCOE004850: interface for
humidifier pCO I/O RS485 OEM series
control board expansion board PCOS00FD20: PCO100MDM0: PCO1000WB0: humidifiers
modem board modem board pCO Web - Ethernet™
/BACnet™ interface board
PCOS00HBF0: CANbus CANbus

CANbus board
GND H+ H– GND H+ H–

Available probes
PCO100TLN0: PCO10000F0:
tLAN serial board LON board SPKT: 4 to 20 mA pressure
PCOS00HBB0: transducers 0 to 5 V
CANbus board ratiometric transducers

PCOE00TLN0: NTC: temperature probes

EVD0000400 pCO I/O tLAN
EEV driver expansion board
ASP*: industrial ambient
(*): PCOE00TLN0 and PLD* teminals CANNOT
be connected to the tLAN at the same time! temperature and humidity
probes
PLD*: user terminal
PCO100MPB0:
ASW*: ambient
MP-BUS® board
temperature and
humidity probes

BELIMO BELIMO

ASD*: duct temperature and

Damper Servocontrol
humidity probes
servocontrol valve
 pCOxs overview drawing

PCOE00TLN0: EVD0000400
scheda espansione EEV driver
pCO I/O tLAN

PGD0-1*: PLD*:
graphic S90CONN*: terminale EVD000041*
display connection utente EVD0000200
cable EEV driver

start
(*): PCOE00TLN0
mode
and PLD* teminals
CANNOT be connected
WARNING!!! to the tLAN
at the same time!
PCO*: programmable controller

MP-BUS
PCOS00AKY0: CVSTDUTLF0: PCOS00AKC0: only PCO1MP0*X0 PGD2-3*:
smart programming USB/RS485 smart-key USB touch screen graphic display for
key converter adapter panel and wall mounting
pAD
BELIMO BELIMO

FCM*
pAD pAD terminal electronic
Damper Servocontrol control
servocontrol valve module

PCO100CLK0: xs

clock board

PCOUMI2000:
interface for
OEM series humidifiers
BMS

PCO1000WB0:
PCOS004850: PCO10000F0: pCO Web - Ethernet
RS485 serial board LON board ™ interface board
status
BACnet™ MS/TP

P1 P2 P3
RS485
PCOS00HBB0:
GNX + – RS485
CANbus board

PCO100MDM0: PCO1000BA0: BACnet™ RS485

modem board interface board
Available probes
SPKT: 4 to 20 mA ASW*: ambient
pressure transducers temperature and
humidity probes

NTC: temperature probes

ASP*: industrial ambient

temperature and humidity ASD*: duct temperature
probes and humidity probes
Headquarters

+302238321 - 1.0 - 15.02.06

CAREL S.p.A.
Via dell’Industria, 11 - 35020 Brugine - Padova (Italy)
Tel. (+39) 0499 716611 - Fax (+39) 0499 716600
carel@carel.com - www.carel.com

Subsidiaries Affiliated Companies:

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www.carel.com.au www.carel.co.kr
sales@carel.com.au info@carel.co.kr

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info@carelhk.com info@carel.co.th

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www.carel.de
info@carel.de

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www.careluk.co.uk
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www.carelusa.com
sales@carelusa.com

All trademarks hereby referenced are

the property of their respective owners.
CAREL is a registered trademark of
CAREL S.p.A. in Italy and/or other countries.

© CAREL S.p.A. 2005 all rights reserved

www.carel.com CAREL reserves the right to make modifications

or changes to its products without prior warning.