Vlc 1600 Datasheet May 2026

They called it the VLC 1600 like a relic from a half-remembered future — a small, matte module with a barcode of pins along one edge and a single stamped serial: 1600. In the lab where prototypes gathered like stray birds, it sat under a desk lamp, its label yellowed but proud. Everyone who touched it swore it hummed, not with sound but with intent.

Maya found the datasheet first — not a polished PDF but a single folded sheet tucked inside a chipped box labelled "legacy components." The header was plain: VLC 1600 — Technical Data. Below, in tiny technical font, were parameters: voltage ranges that suggested patience, timing diagrams that read like maps, thermal curves like mountains to be crossed. The pages were dry with practicality, but Maya read them as if they were instructions for summoning.

"VCC: 1.8–3.3 V," it began. "Operating temperature: -40 to 125°C. Typical latency: 12.6 ns." Each line altered her perception of the module. Where others saw limits, she saw possibility. The capacitance numbers were constellations. The recommended footprint became a blueprint for rituals.

She built the test board in the late hours, solder smoke curling like incense. The VLC 1600 sat in its footprint: small, mute, waiting. She fed it 1.8 volts — the lower edge of its comfortable sleep — and watched the oscilloscope like a star chart. At first nothing happened. Then the scope traced a ripple, a waveform that matched the timing diagram in the datasheet so perfectly Maya laughed out loud: her faith rewarded by cold, exact numbers.

Word spread. Colleagues came by to see what made the little module so magnetic. They read the datasheet and joked about reading commandments into ceramic. Still, the module changed how they worked. Soldering jobs once hurried became meticulous. They slowed — adjusting resistor values with the reverence of tuning a radio from static to signal. Projects that had locked into compromise found new room to breathe: longer battery life, quieter heat signatures, space freed inside enclosures where makers had once crammed components like hurried passengers.

The datasheet became less a manual and more a conversation. Notes were scribbled in margins: "Try 2.7 V here," "Buffer needed for long traces," "Watch rise time at 85°C." The team iterated with care. Prototypes came back with improved traces, corrected decoupling, cleaner ground planes. Each change was annotated and fed back into a shared living document — a human datasheet that amplified the original.

Months later, at a cramped trade show booth, the VLC 1600-powered device sat humming quietly on a pedestal. A small crowd pressed forward to see what made it different: a pocket-sized environmental monitor that squeezed days of battery life into a single charge, listening for faint signals while ignoring the city's loudness. Reporters asked about innovation; Maya handed them a photocopy of the original datasheet, corners folded, ink smudged.

"It told us what it could do," she said. "We listened."

Back in the lab, the box that had held the datasheet went onto a shelf. Other components joined the shelf, but the VLC 1600 sheet was folded and worn as if used to bookmark time. It had been a plain technical paper, but in the margins, in the experiments and late-night coffee, it had become a roadmap for restraint and possibility: a reminder that precise specifications can spark wonder when people read them not as constraints but as invitations.

And whenever a new recruit asked about the worn sheet, Maya passed it along with a single instruction: "Read the numbers. Then imagine what they want to be."

The Alerton VisualLogic VLC-1600 is a high-density, BACnet-compliant input monitoring device designed for building automation systems. Unlike typical field controllers, the VLC-1600 is specialized for monitoring and has no control outputs. It serves as a cost-effective solution for augmenting the monitoring capabilities of a BACnet system, making it ideal for fault detection, diagnostics, and cloud-based analytics. Technical Specifications

According to official documentation from Honeywell Building Automation and Alerton, the device features:

Processor & Performance: Features a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F (80 MHz) microprocessor with 512 MB of non-volatile flash memory.

Inputs: Sixteen 16-bit high-resolution universal inputs that are auto-selectable for various signal types: Thermistor: 3k (Ibex) or 10k (Type II).

Dry Contact: Pulse inputs supported on inputs 1–15 (max 100 Hz frequency).

Voltage/Current: 0–5 VDC, 0–10 VDC, or 4–20 mA (requires external 250-ohm resistor for mA).

Power Requirements: Operates on 24 VAC @ 50–60 Hz, with a minimum draw of 5 VA.

Communication: Native BACnet MS/TP master device communicating over EIA-485 at auto-baud speeds up to 115.2 Kbps. vlc 1600 datasheet

Environmental: Rated for operating temperatures between 0 to 158°F (-17 to 70°C) with 5 to 95% RH, non-condensing. Key Features and Compatibility

Programmable Logic: Fully programmable using Alerton's VisualLogic graphical toolset.

Sensor Support: Integrates with intelligent wall sensors like the BACtalk Microset, Microset II, and Microset 4 on input 0 (IN-0) for local data display and setup.

Physical Design: Compact dimensions at 4.9" H x 5.0" W x 1.4" D (125mm x 127mm x 36mm) with removable header-type screw terminals for 14–24 AWG wire.

Backward Compatibility: The newer VLC-1600-E model maintains backward compatibility with older VLC-1600 and VLC-1600C3 models. Application Areas

The VLC-1600 is primarily used in central plant systems and lighting panels where high input density is required to monitor multiple process variables simultaneously. It is often paired with other controllers like the VLC-16160-E, which provides the binary outputs the 1600 lacks. hbt-bms-VLC-1600-E-datasheet.pdf

, a high-performance, BACnet-compliant input monitoring device used in building automation systems

" is also used by some manufacturers for large-scale vertical lathes, the Honeywell/Alerton controller Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

is the primary subject for this specific technical designation. Alerton VLC-1600 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. Overview The

is designed for applications requiring high input density to supplement existing building controllers. It serves as a dedicated input monitoring station, providing data for fault detection, diagnostics, and cloud-based analytics without having any control outputs itself. Technical Specifications The following data represents the standard Alerton VLC-1600-E datasheet parameters: Specification Processor 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F, 80 MHz Memory 512 MB non-volatile flash Inputs 16-bit universal inputs (Qty: 16) Power 24 VAC @ 50–60 Hz; 5 VA min / 26 VA max Communication BACnet MS/TP (up to 115.2 Kbps) Logic Loop Time 100 milliseconds Operating Temp 0°F to 158°F (-17°C to 70°C) Dimensions 4.9" H x 5.0" W x 1.4" D Key Features & Functions

Input Versatility: The 16 universal inputs are jumper-configurable or auto-selectable to accept 3k or 10k thermistors, dry contacts, 0–5 VDC, 0–10 VDC, or 4–20 mA signals.

Graphical Programming: Control logic is developed using Alerton’s VisualLogic® toolset, allowing for easy field modification.

Sensor Support: Integrates with Alerton Microtouch and BACtalk Microset sensors (Microset, Microset II, and Microset 4) specifically on input 0 (IN-0).

Seamless Integration: As a native BACnet controller, it connects directly to the BACnet MS/TP LAN, supporting auto-baud switching for communication flexibility.

Hardware Design: Features removable header-type screw terminals for easy wiring (14–24 AWG) and a half-wave rectified power supply that allows multiple units to share a single transformer. Application Use Cases is ideally suited for:

High-Density Monitoring: Augmenting the input capacity of central plant systems or lighting panels.

Fault Detection: Continuous monitoring of process variables for early equipment failure detection. They called it the VLC 1600 like a

Data Aggregation: Feeding real-time environmental data to cloud analytics platforms for energy optimization. Alternative: VLC-1600 Vertical Lathes VLC-1600 data sheet

In the world of building automation, the VLC-1600 isn't just a part number; it’s the quiet observer of the Alerton VisualLogic family. While its siblings like the VLC-16160 are "doers" with dozens of outputs to flip switches and move valves, the 1600 is a dedicated monitoring specialist.

Here is the "deep story" of what this device actually does behind the scenes: The Nervous System of the Building

Imagine a massive skyscraper. Thousands of sensors are "breathing"—measuring the temperature of the air, the flow of water in pipes, and the CO2 levels in crowded lobbies. The VLC-1600 acts as a high-density nerve center for these signals. It features 16 universal inputs but zero control outputs. Its entire purpose is to listen, translate, and report. Technical Vital Signs

The Processor: It uses a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F (on newer -E models) or a Motorola AZ60 (on legacy models). This allows it to process data in 100-millisecond loops, ensuring that if a critical sensor detects a leak or a spike in pressure, the building's brain knows about it instantly.

Universal Inputs: These are the "ears" of the device. They are highly flexible and can be configured to understand: Thermistors (measuring heat)

Dry contacts (knowing if a door is open or a pump is tripped)

0-10 VDC or 4-20 mA signals (precise measurements from industrial sensors).

Memory: All its logic is stored in non-volatile flash memory, meaning if the power goes out, it doesn't "forget" what it’s supposed to be watching when it wakes back up. Why "VisualLogic"?

The "VL" in VLC stands for VisualLogic, a graphical programming language used by technicians. Instead of writing lines of code, engineers "wire" together functional blocks on a screen. This makes it much easier to set up complex monitoring routines, like calculating the average temperature across 16 different rooms or detecting a "fault" when two sensors disagree. The Legacy & Transition

The VLC-1600 is part of the Honeywell Alerton BACtalk ecosystem. You'll often find it in: Central Plants: Monitoring massive chillers and boilers.

Lighting Panels: Tracking energy usage across entire floors.

Cloud Analytics: Feeding real-time data into modern energy-saving software.

Note on Discontinuation: Many standard VLC-1600 units are now listed as discontinued by Honeywell, replaced by the updated VLC-1600-E which offers better security (secure boot) and faster communication.

Are you looking to replace an existing unit, or are you programming one for a new building project? I can help you find specific wiring diagrams or configuration steps for the inputs if you'd like. VLC-1600 data sheet

The Alerton VisualLogic VLC-1600 is a high-performance, BACnet-compliant field controller designed specifically for input monitoring. It is frequently used in building automation to expand the input capacity of existing systems. Key Technical Specifications

According to official Honeywell Alerton documentation, the VLC-1600 features: If you were looking for audio equipment rather

Inputs: 16 high-resolution universal inputs (10-bit or 16-bit depending on version).

Input Types: Supports thermistor, dry contact, 0–5 VDC, 0–10 VDC, and 4–20 mA signals.

Outputs: This specific model has no control outputs; it is dedicated to monitoring.

Communication: BACnet MS/TP LAN with speeds up to 115.2 Kbps. Processor: 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F (80 MHz) in "E" models.

Memory: 512 MB non-volatile flash memory for stable data storage. Power: 24 VAC @ 5–26 VA depending on connected loads. Core Benefits

High Input Density: Suited for applications requiring extensive monitoring of process variables for analytics and fault detection.

Interoperability: Native BACnet integration ensures seamless connection with standard building management systems.

Programmability: Uses the VisualLogic toolset for field-modifiable control logic.

Sensor Support: Compatible with intelligent wall sensors like the BACtalk Microset. hbt-bms-VLC-1600-E-datasheet.pdf

Title: Technical Specification and Analysis Report: VLC 1600 Series Position Sensors Subject: VLC 1600 Datasheet Review Date: October 26, 2023


If you were looking for audio equipment rather than an electronic component, the Velodyne VLC-1600 is a historical subwoofer model.

Product: Velodyne VLC-1600 Subwoofer Type: Powered Subwoofer (Active) Driver Size: 15-inch Amplifier Power: ~160 Watts RMS Crossover: Variable (40Hz - 120Hz) Application: Home Theater / Home Audio Notable Features: Known for high excursion and low-frequency output typical of Velodyne's classic "VL" series.


Recommendation: If the component in your hand does not match the descriptions above, please check the logo:


The mechanical construction of the VLC 1600 emphasizes durability and ease of mounting.

| Parameter | Symbol | Rating | Unit | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Optical Output Power (CW) | Po | 1600 | mW | | Peak Power (Pulsed, 100ns, 1kHz) | Ppeak | 2000 | mW | | Forward Current (CW) | IF | 1800 | mA | | Reverse Voltage (Laser) | VR | 2 | V | | Reverse Voltage (Photodiode) | VPD | 10 | V | | Operating Case Temperature | TC | -20 to +70 | °C | | Storage Temperature | Tstg | -40 to +85 | °C |

Critical Insight: Exceeding the 1600 mW CW optical output even for milliseconds can cause catastrophic optical damage (COD) .

If your VLC 1600 operates near 1600 nm, note that this is beyond the visible spectrum but still poses a retinal hazard. However, due to water absorption, 1600 nm tends to damage the cornea and lens differently than 980 nm or 1550 nm. The datasheet should provide a MPE (Maximum Permissible Exposure) chart.


Any legitimate VLC 1600 datasheet will include a prominent laser safety section. A 1600 mW (Class 4) laser is extremely hazardous.

The datasheet will mandate a constant current source with compliance voltage exceeding the max VF (2.5V) by at least 20% (so >3.0V).