Expansion unit for sensors 8x analog

Up to 8 Additional Analog Sensors per Expansion Unit

The Didactum Sensor Expansion Unit 8x Analog is a highly flexible CAN bus expansion designed specifically to significantly increase the capacity of any compatible Didactum Monitoring System. Each unit provides 8 additional RJ12 ports for analog sensors and connects directly to the CAN port of the monitoring system.

Thanks to the Autosense function, all connected sensors are automatically detected and displayed in the web interface within seconds, complete with name, type, readings, and status – no manual configuration is required. This saves time, reduces sources of error, and enables fast commissioning, even for large installations with dozens of sensors.

Thanks to intelligent daisy-chain technology over the CAN bus, multiple expansion units as well as other CAN-capable devices and sensors can be easily and space-efficiently linked together in a chain – ideal for monitoring complex, sprawling, or particularly sensitive environments such as data centers, server rooms, production halls, warehouse complexes, or critical infrastructure.

Typical Application Scenarios

The 8-port sensor expansion box can be used in almost any critical environment where the base sensor ports of a Didactum Monitoring System are not sufficient.

Key Features of the Expansion Unit

Compact, robust, and ready for use in seconds – the unit was designed for continuous operation in technical rooms.

Scalability in Detail

Up to 10–32 CAN devices can be combined on a single CAN bus line – the exact upper limit depends on the total line length, signal quality, and power supply used. In practice, this means you can operate not only multiple 8-port sensor expansion boxes but also digital inputs, relay modules, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, smoke detectors, door-opening sensors, or motion detectors on a single CAN bus segment.

Up to 24 units of the 8-port sensor expansion box can be operated on a single CAN bus line – equivalent to up to 192 additional analog sensor ports on just one monitoring unit. This makes it possible to monitor even large-scale facilities such as multi-story buildings, production lines, or distributed IT infrastructure with just a single central Didactum system. When the maximum chain length is reached, the CAN-12V-1A power supply is required to ensure adequate power supply along the CAN bus line.

Power Supply and Stability

Normally, an external 12V/0.5A power supply is connected to the socket labeled "PWR." However, if only a single expansion unit is connected and the cable length from the monitoring unit to the expansion box does not exceed 10 m, the unit will also operate without an external power supply. In all other cases, using an external power supply is recommended.

In larger configurations with many expansion units, power demand increases along the CAN bus chain. This is where the dedicated CAN-12V-1A power supply comes in: it is integrated directly into the CAN bus line and reliably supplies power to all downstream devices. Without this additional power supply, voltage would drop too much across long chains or with many devices, which can lead to unstable operation or failures. It is recommended to use the power supply approximately every 8–12 units or whenever the line length exceeds 50 meters.

Flexible Mounting Options

Depending on the installation location, the expansion unit can be mounted in three different ways. The respective mounting accessories are sold separately.

Matching Mounting Accessories

The following accessories are not included in the scope of delivery and are ordered separately.

Setup in a Few Steps

Commissioning is done without additional software directly through the monitoring system's web front end.

1. Connect the unit's CAN input to the CAN input of the preceding CAN unit or the monitoring system using the included RJ11/RJ12 cable
2. Set the TR bus terminators on the connected CAN units accordingly: only "ON" (i.e. "TR" position) on the last device in the chain, "OFF" on all units in between
3. If needed, connect an external 12V power supply to the "Power" socket (required for cable lengths over 10 m or multiple units in the chain)
4. Connect analog sensors to ports A1–A8 – they are automatically detected via Autosense
5. Access and individually configure the expansion unit and its connected sensors in the Didactum Monitoring System's web interface under "CAN Bus"
6. Define the desired notification and alarm types (email, SMS via optional GSM modem, SNMP trap, siren, or relay switching)

What's Included

Please check the delivery for completeness upon receipt and report any missing or damaged parts to your supplier immediately.

• Didactum Expansion Unit (8x Analog)1 piece
• RJ11/RJ12 connection cable (CAN)1 piece
• Quick start guide1 piece

Wall bracket, DIN rail bracket, rackmount kit, and an additional CAN-12V-1A power supply are optional accessories and are not included in the scope of delivery.

Why the Expansion Unit Is the Right Choice

Practical Applications

• Expanding a Didactum Monitoring System with additional temperature and humidity sensors
• Connecting further smoke detectors, water sensors, and door contacts in server rooms
• Building large sensor networks in multi-story buildings via daisy-chaining
• Retrofitting existing monitoring installations without replacing the base unit
• Distributed sensor points in production lines and warehouses
• Central monitoring of multiple racks via a single CAN bus chain

The Didactum Sensor Expansion Unit 8x Analog enhances the capabilities of any Didactum Monitoring System by enabling the addition of further analog sensors, ensuring comprehensive environmental monitoring and reliable protection of critical infrastructure.

More on the Expansion Unit

Frequently Asked Questions