iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller

Quick Start Guide

September 2021 Document Number: 8200-1995-01

Revision:A0

www.swhouse.com
© 2021 Johnson Controls. All rights reserved. JOHNSON CONTROLS, TYCO and SOFTWARE HOUSE are trademarks
of Johnson Controls.

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Overview
The iSTAR Ultra G2 is a network-ready door controller supporting hard-wired and wireless locks. It consists of the
following hardware components:
■ 1 General Controller Module (GCM),
■ Up to 4 Access Control Modules (ACM), or up to 32 IP-ACM Ethernet Door Modules.

The iSTAR Ultra G2 is supported on C•CURE 9000 v2.90 SP2, and later, with firmware version 6.8.5 and higher.

The iSTAR Ultra G2 is supported on C•CURE 9000 v2.70, and later, for Ultra mode only.

General Controller Module

The General Controller Module (GCM) is a general purpose module which operates using a Linux operating system.

Access Control Module

The Access Control Module (ACM) is a special purpose module that provides inputs, outputs, reader interfaces, and AUX
outputs for the GCM.

IP-ACM Ethernet Door Module

The IP-ACM module provides connection and management of access control for 2 readers.

• All controllers and networking equipment in a cluster must be UL listed to qualify as UL Listed Products.
NOTE • USB has not been evaluated by UL.

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Specifications and Requirements

Specifications
Table 1: Environmental and Electrical Specifications

iSTAR Ultra G2 Specifications

Environmental

Operational Temperature 32° F (0° C) to 120° F (49° C)

Electrical (GCM)

Electrical Input 12 VDC or 24 VDC (4.5 A)

Electrical (ACM)

Vreader

Electrical Input Up to 12 VDC or 24 VDC (12.5 A)

Vlock 1

Electrical Input Up to 12 VDC or 24 VDC (12.5 A)

Vlock 2

Electrical Input Up to 12 VDC or 24 VDC (12.5 A)

RS485/Wiegand/Aux

Electrical Output 12 VDC (1.5 A) per reader.

Relay Ports (Dry - Primary and Secondary)

Primary: 12 - 24 VDC (5 A)
Electrical Output
Secondary: 12 - 24 VDC (1 A)

Relay Ports (Wet - Primary and Secondary)

Primary: 12 - 24 VDC +/- 15% (0.75 A)

Electrical Output
Secondary: 12 - 24 VDC +/- 15% (0.75 A)

Voltage tolerances are 85% - 100% of listed specifications.

NOTE

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 3

Safety Information

Life Safety Requirement

A fail-safe mechanism override must be installed at each card reader exit to allow people to leave the secure area in case of
electromechanical device failure.
Disconnect all power before modifying the wiring to, or within, the iSTAR Ultra G2.

Static Electricity
■ Before handling any internal components, discharge static electricity by touching a grounded surface.
■ Wear a grounding wrist strap and stand on a grounded static protection mat during installation
■ Limit movement during installation to reduce static buildup.
■ Transport components in static-shielded containers.

Compliance
■ The iSTAR Ultra G2 must be installed within the protected premises.
■ When purchased separately, the iSTAR Ultra G2 modules must be installed in an enclosure which has an electrically
supervised tamper switch to maintain UL compliance.
■ For Proprietary Burglar Alarm installations, the iSTAR Ultra G2 must be installed in accordance with UL 681 - Standard for
Installation and Classification of Burglar and Hold-Up Alarm Systems.

Power
The iSTAR Ultra G2 is powered by a UL 603 or UL 2610 approved/listed/certified External Power Supply.

The Software House apS or a Power over Ethernet (PoE++) injector with a UL listed surge protector, evaluated to UL 1449,
can be used as an External Power Supply.

A PoE++ module can be used with the Phihong POE90U-1BT-2-R (for PoE++) injector.

The iSTAR Ultra G2 must be permanently wired to mains electricity without switches that could be used to interrupt the
electricity supply. For more information on installations using PoE modules, see the iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and
Configuration Guide.

Phihong injectors , or power-limited, PoE injectors, which are UL 294 listed.

NOTE IEEE 802.3 (AT or AF) compliance was not verified to UL294.
PoE installations are UL listed for Mode B only.

Grounding
■ Ensure that the iSTAR Ultra G2 controller is properly connected to an earth ground at any of the ground studs.
■ Ensure that the shield wires (including the ACM and GCM) are grounded to the nearest ground connection at one end of the
cable.

Ethernet Connection
■ 2 Ethernet ports onboard - supports 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet connections.

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 4

■ Built-in LEDs indicate the Ethernet Link and Receive Data signals.

Encryption
■ TLS v1.3 encryption in iSTAR Ultra G2 mode.
■ TLS v1.2 encryption and unencrypted option in iSTAR Ultra mode.

Wiring Specifications and Components

Table 2: iSTAR Ultra G2 and Components Wiring Specifications

Signal From To AWG Shield Max Length

RS-485 Comm, Data iSTAR Ultra G2 RM and I/O Modules 22 Yes 4000 ft (1212m)
two wire

Power iSTAR Ultra G2 RM and I/O Modules 22/18 No Range of 600 ft to 1500 ft,
depending on AWG used.

RJ-45-Ethernet iSTAR Ultra G2 Hub, Host Cat 5e or N/A 328 ft (100m)

better

Supervised Input iSTAR Ultra G2 Input 22/18 No 2000 ft (606m)

Request-to-exit iSTAR Ultra G2 Switch 22/18 No 2000 ft (606m)

(REX or RTE)

Door Contact / iSTAR Ultra G2 Contact 22/18 No 2000 ft (606m)

Door State Monitor(DSM)

Supervised Input iSTAR Ultra G2 Input 22 Yes 2000 ft (606m)

Reader Input iSTAR Ultra G2 Proximity/Wiegand 22 Yes 200 ft (60.96m)

signaling read head 20 300 ft (91.4m)
18 500 ft (152.4m)

■ There are 2 jumpers on the PoE module:

• x1 jumper to select PoE or PoE Plus (+). Ensure the jumpers are set correctly.
• x1 jumper to configure the voltage used to power the Ultra G2. Set the jumper to 24 VDC for the Ultra G2.
■ Do not connect the PoE injector to a receptacle controlled by a switch.
■ The Tamper, Battery Low, and AC Power Fail inputs must be enabled and connected to report to comply with UL
requirements.

AC fail, low battery, and USB cabling must be shielded.

NOTE Supervised Inputs must use shielded, 22 AWG (minimum) stranded, twisted-pair cable, such as Belden 9462 or equivalent, for monitor
points, DSMs, and REXs.
Wiring methods must be in accordance with the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70.
Connections between PSE or power injector and the PD must use 26 AWG (0.13mm2) for patch cords and 24 AWG (0.21mm2) for
horizontal or riser cables connected through standard 8-pin RJ-45 connectors.
The USTAR-GCM AC Fail and COMM, USTAR-GCM, and USTAR-ACM Tamper, USTAR-GCM power, USTAR-ACM power
(Reader), USTAR-ACM lock 1 and lock 2 connections must remain within 25 feet (7.6 metres) of the control unit.

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 5

Installation
You can mount the iSTAR Ultra G2 enclosure directly to a wall or uni-strut using suitable user-supplied hardware. Alternatively,
you can mount the iSTAR Ultra G2 GCM and ACM in a standard 19-inch rack system.

The system must be installed indoors within a protected premises in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NFPA70), and
NOTE relevant local authority regulations. Observe static electricity precautions when unpacking components.

Installing on a Wall
1. Ensure that the mounting site has been prepared. A certified installer or structural engineer should verify the upper
mounting points can sustain a 75 lb (34 kg) load.
2. Remove the appropriate knockouts on the enclosure for the wiring inputs and outputs.
3. Remove the enclosure door. Place it on a soft surface to avoid scratching it.
4. Align the keyhole mounting slots at the upper back of the enclosure with the two upper mounting screws and lower the
enclosure into position. Tighten the mounting screws. See iSTAR Ultra G2 Enclosure on Page 7.
5. Install x3 bottom mounting screws and tighten.
6. Attach conduit couplings to the knockout openings as needed to comply with local and national codes or regulations.
7. Reattach the enclosure door.
• If an accessory board is mounted to the inside of the door, ensure the wires are not pinched by the door.

Installing in a Rack System

1. Ensure there is adequate air flow keeping the ambient temperature below 120°f/49°c in the rack system.
2. Mount the unit with either 10/32 or 10/24 hardware.
3. Route the GCM and ACM cabling through rack cable management system and label for convenience.
4. Connect Ethernet cabling, as required, to the Ethernet port(s).
5. Secure the power inputs with zip-ties.

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 6

 Figure 1: iSTAR Ultra G2 Enclosure

Table 3: iSTAR Ultra G2 Enclosure Callouts

Callout Description

1 Keyhole Mounting Slot

2 iSTAR Ultra G2 GCM

3 Cabinet Enclosure

4 1.125" (29.565mm) Knockouts (0 top, 3 each side, 2 bottom)

5 Tamper switch

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 7

 6 iSTAR Ultra G2 ACM

7 Ground (12)

8 AC Knockouts (each side)

9 Lower Mounting Hole

10 2" (50.8mm) Knockouts (2 top, 4 bottom, 4 left side, 5 right side)

11 Ground stud (6-32) for shield wire.

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 8

General Control Module
The General Control Module (GCM) is a general purpose module which operates using a Linux operating system. Figure 2
displays the GCM board components. For more information on GCM board components, see Onboard Controls on Page 1.
Figure 2: General Control Module Components

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 9

Access Control Module
The Access Control Module (ACM) is an access control module which links Readers, Inputs, and Outputs. The ACM has 8
different sections that contain the components needed for a Door. The iSTAR Ultra G2 can have up to x4 ACMs.

For more information on ACM components, see Onboard Controls on Page 1.

Figure 3 displays components on the right-side of the ACM. Figure 4 displays components on the left-side of the ACM.
Figure 3: Right-hand-side of the ACM

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 10

 Figure 4: Left-hand side of the ACM

iSTAR Ultra G2 Controller Installation and Configuration Guide 11

Readers

Wiegand Readers
Figure 5: Wiegand Readers

Figure 5 shows direct Wiegand signaling read head connections.

RS485 Readers
Figure 6: RS485 Readers

Figure 6 shows RS485 full duplex and half duplex reader connections.

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