IP2CC iTach TCP/IP to Contact Closure Converter - Connects Relay Devices to a Wired Connection

I am a big fan of the Global Cache product. Very reliable and easy to use. The API is simple and the unit performs very well. Great quality. I do wish the price was a bit lower but I can probably say that about a lot of things.

I didn't want to control via a browser and it can be controlled by a software program which met my needs.

Once these devices are configured they seem to work flawlessly. I would like a param or dip switch to configure for momentary operation but that is not what the device is targeted at. The configuration is a bit of a challenge with anything but Firefox browser but once configured they seem rock solid. I would recommend any of the wired GC iTach devices. I have a few of these running under Homeseer without issues.

These devices are fantastic! They are compact, flexible and really give you some options for home automation.

Great solution for automating devices that don’t have any integration solution over IP or RS232. I used it to control some automated sliding doors to trigger some buttons.

The media could not be loaded. This device could have been great, but is really hindered by the poor choice in relays, in my opinion.First, the good. The API is quite simple to use. It's a pretty basic TCP interface, and the API is relatively well documented in their website. I wrote my controller scripts in Python, but pretty much any language you are familiar with should work just fine. It would have been nice if Global Cache provided example driver scripts to build off of, but they don't. I wrote my interface from scratch, because it's a very simple API. However, other people have posted examples on GitHub if you are struggling.Now, on to the things I don't like, and why I dropped the rating significantly. First, a minor point: I would have really liked a way to do very simple on/off relay tests from the built-in webserver, just to verify everything was functioning properly before I put the time into writing my own script interfaces. It would have been super simple for them to do this, but the built-in webserver is only there to configure the network settings.The major issue I have with this device is their choice of relays. They are using reed relays, model 9007-05-00. I really don't like reed relays. The relays in this device do not have proper protection circuitry or shielding. The net cause is you can accidentally activate the relays, and the relays have a tendency to stay latched in the closed position. I have provided some examples in the video attached to my review. You will note that I am testing this with an LED beacon rated for 0.5A, which is the max current this iTach is supposed to be rated for. However, the latching behavior shown with this LED beacon is the same as when I test with a piezo speaker I have that is rated for even lower current (specced at 0.02A).In the video, you can see via the relay status LED lights that the relay stays in the closed position, even after I have requested it to open up. Once I remove power and re-apply it, the relay is open again. Sometimes, the relay will stay latched closed until I give the device a solid tap, releasing the relay (shown in second half of video). This indicates the contacts seem to be welding closed, even with this relatively low load that the device is rated for! It could be caused by inrush current, I suppose. However, if that's the case, it indicates Global Cache didn't design the circuity very well with any semblance of protection for the relays. I tried wiring up a flyback diode, but it didn't help. The next step would be for me to try a current-limiting resistor, but I got fed up with troubleshooting and doing what Global Cache should have done. So, I wired up an external relay instead, and that seems to be working fine for now.Also in the video, you will see that it's very easy to trip the relays on, with even a very slight external magnetic field. I moved these over the top of my speaker, and it tripped the reed relays into the closed position. The magnetic field from my speaker in this location is so small that I never noticed it before. I tried detecting it with a solid piece of iron, and couldn't detect it. The only way I was able to feel it, was by waving a strong neodymium magnet over this location to feel the attraction. This happens whether the board is inside the case or not (the video is shown with the board removed from the case). With reed relays, Global Cache really should have done a better job shielding the board from external magnetic fields. It's not that hard!The last point that annoys me is that it's nearly impossible to disassemble the case without breaking it. The sides are clipped in to the extruded aluminum housing with very, very tiny plastic pegs. No matter how careful you are, I can almost guarantee you will break a few of these pegs pulling off the sides.At this point, I have spent a few extra hours (and money to replace the relays) troubleshooting why this thing wouldn't shut off the equipment I connected to it, parsing through their documentation to write my own custom scripts to control it, and installing external relays instead. Depending on how much you value your time, it could very well be worth it for you to get a product from a more reputable manufacturer that uses better parts and has published script templates to work off of.

Great product. Easy to install. Does what it says. The form factor is small (which is good). It can be powered from any USB port so the included adapter/wall wart is only necessary if you don't have a USB port handy.

Product arrived as promised and in good working order.