Datasheet

EC-gfxProgram
Graphical Programming Interface for Programmable Controllers

Overview Features & Benefits

Distech Controls EC-gfxProgram is a graphical BAS Graphical Programming Interface
programming interface that allows you to
visually assemble building blocks together as £ Block-oriented programming reduces user’s
necessary to create a custom control sequence learning curve and results in fewer errors
for any HVAC/building automation application. making it a faster and more intuitive
By “dragging and dropping” a few block objects programming method.
from the EC-gfxProgram’s vast library and £ Customizable blocks enable the creation of
connecting them with a simple “click, select, and unique functions and programs.
release” process, you can quickly and easily
assemble common control sequences and £ Reduces language barriers in international
customized applications specific to your needs. environments.

Access Methods for ECB, ECL, and

Applications ECY Series Controllers
Designed to program Distech Controls’ ECB
Series BACnet®, ECL Series LONWORKS®, and Launch EC-gfxProgram in different ways to
ECLYPSETM ECY Series controllers. connect to your ECB, ECL, and ECY Series
controllers using:
£ The EC-NetAX Wizard for ECB, ECL, and
ECY Series controllers
£ The LNS Plug-in such as Lonwatcher 3 for
ECL controllers
£ Standalone access (PC's desktop) for a
direct connection to ECY Series controllers
Real-Time Troubleshooting
Easily troubleshoot your application in real-time
through live-debugging that shows block input
and output values of the code being executed.
Watch List to monitor specific process variables
to detect anomalies as they occur.
Real-time error checking identifies programming
errors during program sequence creation.
Quickly locate coding errors in a large project by
double-clicking on an error in the Error List.
Resources Configuration
Integrated Toolbox
Resource configuration window supports batch
Supplied toolbox includes more than 100 object configuration. View the resources tree,
predefined functions split into many categories select multiple objects, and change the shared
including HVAC, Comparators, Logic, Math, parameters of all the selected objects all at
Time, Custom, and Inputs & Outputs among once.
others to simplify programming and reduce
programming time. Create configuration variable groups that can be
used to easily link multiple properties of the
Complete jobs faster and simplify field support same objects to configuration variables. Groups
with the Toolbox Builder by providing can be reused as templates throughout your
technicians with tested, non-modifiable, code. For instance, create a group of alarm or
application-specific blocks that are known to BACnet properties and reuse the group to bind
work. those properties to a resource.
Offline Emulator Import and export variable groups as templates
in your code and within all your projects as
The offline controller emulator allows you to needed.
easily create and troubleshoot code without
having to connect to a live controller thus
providing accessibility in the comfort of your own
office or while travelling. In EC-gfxProgram,
select from a list of ECY and ECB series
controllers and simulate the code you created
using the debugging feature just like you would
on a real-time controller.

Configuration Assistant
Create a configuration user-interface to your
EC-gfxProgram code that allows a user to select
software operating modes and options, for
example, to make a programmable controller
behave as a configurable controller. The
Configuration Assistant standardizes and Built-in Schedule Configuration
simplifies system integration without onsite
programming. The controller’s EC-gfxProgram Configure ECB and ECL Series controller’s
code can be password protected to keep users built-in schedules and holidays directly from
from modifying the controller’s programming. within EC-gfxProgram with EC‑Schedule, an
easy-to-use point, drag, and click interface. It
features a weekly schedule for regular,
repeating, events by “time-of-day” and “day-of-
week”, while a holiday schedule is available to
define events for specific days.
Schedule your system’s start/stop period or use
it as a back-up to the centralized scheduling
device in case of network communication
failure.

2/4 EC-gfxProgram
PID Tuning
Live Trend block allows you to view and
optimize system response and PID tuning by
monitoring controlled variables in real time. This
is ideal to view control loop effect on supply air
temperature, chilled water temperature, CO2
level, etc.
Obtain optimal control system response
accuracy with PID loops.

Simultaneous Update to Multiple

Devices
Send your terminal application code to multiple
devices at once for easier deployment and
update. This eliminates the tedious task of
downloading code to each individual device one
by one.

Resource Viewer
Quick access to manage, monitor, and override
the values of Inputs, Outputs, Constants,
Variables, and Network Variables through the
Resource Viewer.

EC-gfxProgram 3/4
EC-gfxProgram User Interface
Resource Viewer Pane Watch List Pane
Displays information about all Hardware IOs, Wireless Monitor a selection of process values during
Inputs, Smart Sensor Outputs, Network Variables, debug mode for troubleshooting.
Constants and Variables, such as name, value, and mode.
Favorites are a convenient way to organize and access Search Results Pane
resources that are important to you, thereby making sys- Search for objects based on text
tem-critical information readily available. entered in the object’s properties,
type of block, or port names.
Programming Sheet
Main section of the user interface where device pro-
gramming is done. “Drag and drop” block objects from Properties Pane
the Toolbox then connect them together with a “click, Used to define the properties
select, and release” to build a control sequence. for each block object, text
document, Programming
Ribbon Bar Sheet and the project itself.
Ribbon bar that allows for easy The properties are shown for
access to commonly-used functions. the currently selected item.

Statistics Pane Task View Pane

After a control sequence is compiled, this pane displays Tasks waiting to be
certain statistics such as memory usage, resource usage, processed.
compiling time, etc.
Project Explorer
Error List Pane Tree-view list for easy nav-
Displays errors when compiling the control sequence to the igation through the block
controller. This helps you to troubleshoot and debug problems. objects and
Programming Sheets.
Output Pane
Displays build progress and information.
Code Library Pane
Library containing saved pieces of code (or snippets)
and projects that can be “dragged and dropped” onto
the Programming Sheet.

Toolbox Pane Bar

Library containing block objects that can be “dragged and dropped” onto the Programming
Sheet to build a control sequence. The block objects can be organized into more than
12 categories. You can select purpose-built toolboxes you have created with the Toolbox
Builder to apply standard control methods to your project. A search tool allows you to find
blocks quickly.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

Distech Controls, the Distech Controls logo, Innovative Solutions for Greener Buildings, EC-Net, ECO-Vue, Allure, and Open-To-Wireless are trademarks of Distech
Controls Inc.; LonWorks, LON, and LNS are registered trademarks of Echelon Corporation; BACnet is a registered trademark of ASHRAE; BTL is a registered trade-
mark of the BACnet Manufacturers Association; NiagaraAX Framework is a registered trademark of Tridium, Inc.; EnOcean is a registered trademark of EnOcean
GmbH. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
©, Distech Controls Inc., 2008 - 2017. All rights reserved.

4/4 EC-gfxProgram_DS_56_EN