SPYDER® LON PROGRAMMABLE, VAV/UNITARY CONTROLLERS
63-2685—03 8
The application engineer must review the control job 
requirements. This includes the sequences of operation for the 
controller, and for the system as a whole. Usually, there are 
variables that must be passed between the controller and other 
Spyder Lon controller(s) that are required for optimum system-
wide operation. Typical examples are the TOD, Occ/Unocc 
signal, the outdoor air temperature, the demand limit control 
signal, and the smoke control mode signal. 
It is important to understand these interrelationships early in 
the job engineering process, to ensure proper implementation 
when configuring the controllers. Refer to the controller 
Application Guides. 
Power Budget
A power budget must be calculated for each device to 
determine the required transformer size for proper operation. A 
power budget is simply the summing of the maximum power 
draw ratings (in VA) of all the devices to be controlled. This 
includes the controller itself and any devices powered from the 
controller, such as equipment actuators (ML6161 or other 
motors) and various contactors and transducers. 
IMPORTANT
• If a controller is used on Heating and Cooling Equip-
ment (UL 1995, U.S. only) and transformer primary 
power is more than 150 volts, connect the transformer 
secondary common to earth ground (see Fig. 12 on 
page 10).
• When multiple controllers operate from a single 
transformer, connect the same side of the transformer 
secondary to the same power input terminal in each 
device. The earth ground terminal (terminal 3) must 
be connected to a verified earth ground for each 
controller in the group (see Fig. 13 on page 11).
POWER BUDGET CALCULATION EXAMPLE
Table 3 is an example of a power budget calculation for  typical 
PVL0000AS, PVL4022AS, and PVL6436AS controllers. While 
the example is shown for only these models, the process is 
applicable for all controller models.
Table 3. Power budget calculation example.
The system example above requires 30.7 VA of peak power. 
Therefore, a 100 VA AT92A transformer could be used to 
power one controller of this type. Because the total peak power 
is less than 33 VA, this same transformer could be used to 
power three of these controllers and meet NEC Class 2 
restrictions (no greater than 100 VA). 
See Fig. 11–Fig. 13 beginning on page 10 for illustrations of 
controller power wiring. See Table 4 for VA ratings of various 
devices.
Table 4. VA ratings for transformer sizing.
For contactors and similar devices, the in-rush power ratings 
should be used as the worst case values when performing 
power budget calculations. Also, the application engineer must 
consider the possible combinations of simultaneously 
energized outputs and calculate the VA ratings accordingly. 
The worst case, which uses the largest possible VA load, 
should be determined when sizing the transformer. 
Each controller requires 24 Vac power from an energy-limited 
Class II power source. To conform to Class II restrictions (U.S. 
only), transformers must not be larger than 100 VA. A single 
transformer can power more than one controller.
GUIDELINES FOR POWER WIRING ARE AS FOLLOWS:
— For multiple controllers operating from a single 
transformer, the same side of the transformer 
secondary must be connected to the same power input 
terminal in each device. The earth ground terminal 
must be connected to a verified earth ground for each 
controller in the group (see Fig. 13 on page 11). 
Controller configurations are not necessarily limited to 
three devices, but the total power draw, including 
accessories, cannot exceed 100 VA when powered by 
the same transformer (U.S. only).
— See Fig. 12 on page 10 for controller power wiring used 
in UL 1995 equipment (U.S. only).
— Many controllers require all loads to be powered by the 
same transformer that powers the controller.
— Keep the earth ground connection wire run as short as 
possible (refer to Fig. 11–Fig. 13 beginning on 
page 10).
— Do not connect earth ground to the controller’s digital 
or analog ground terminals (refer to Fig. 11 and Fig. 
13).
Device
VA
Information
Obtained From
PVL0000AS, 
PVL4022AS, and 
PVL6436AS 
controllers (include 
Series 60 Floating 
Damper Actuator)
9.0 See “Specifications” on 
page 3.
R8242A Contactor 
fan rating
21.0
TRADELINE
®
 Catalog 
inrush rating
D/X Stages 0.0 For example, assume 
cooling stage outputs are 
wired into a compressor 
control circuit and have no 
impact on the budget.
M6410A Steam 
Heating Coil Valve
0.7
TRADELINE
®
 Catalog, 
0.32A 24 Vac
TOTAL 30.7
Device Description VA
PVL0000AS, 
PVL4022AS, and 
PVL6436AS 
controllers and 
Series 60 Floating 
Damper Actuator
Controller and Actuator 9.0
PUL1012S, 
PUL4024S, 
PUL6438S,  
PVL4024NS, or   
PVL6438NS
Controller 5.0
ML684 Versadrive Valve Actuator 12.0
ML6161 Damper Actuator, 35 lb-in. 2.2
ML6185 Damper Actuator SR 50 lb-in 12.0
ML6464 Damper Actuator, 66 lb-in. 3.0
ML6474 Damper Actuator, 132 lb-in. 3.0
R6410A Valve Actuator 0.7
R8242A Contactor 21.0