This video is a detailed tutorial. See Intro to CV Control of Architectural Fixtures for an overview.
I. How to retrofit wireless LED technology into a custom architectural project. In the example, the lighting elements are decorative LED strips and a Cree primary downlight.
A. All fixtures must be UL ListedUL ListedUL Listed products have passed government regulated safety tests performed by Underwriters Laboratories.
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1. This means UL Listed drivers for the LEDs
2. This means a UL Listed 12V power supply for the RC4 Magic DMX2dim
a. Anything after a Listed Class-2 power supply no longer requires inspection
b. Low-voltage devices connected after a Listed Class-2 driver, like the decorate lighting LEDs, do not need to be UL listed
3. In this example, the UL Listed drivers and power supply are connected to a single 120VAC mains circuit
a. In many cases, particularly in retrofits using existing wiring, a single mains circuit powers multiple lighting fixtures
B. Using an RC4 DMX2dim to create control voltageControl voltageControl Voltage, also called CV, and 0–10V Control, is one of the earliest and simplest electronic lighting control signaling systems. The control signal is a DC voltage that varies between zero and ten volts. The controlled lighting should scale its output so that at 10V, the controlled light should be at 100% of its potential output, […]
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1. Use the 1.2kHz PWM frequencyPWM frequencyTo see a visual representation and in-depth explanation of PWM, watch our latest video This chart is also a helpful resource. PWM stands for Pulse-Width Modulation. It is a method for using a switching device (one that can only be on or off) to create what appears to be analog changes in level. This is done by […]
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2. Put a 100 ohm 1/4W (or higher) pull-up resistor across both terminals of the dimmer output
a. A control voltage signal has now been created that will go directly into an architectural ballast CV control input
b. Using the correct PWM and pull up resistor will enable the user to control a wide variety of products on the architectural market
C. This setup allows users to have control over individual light sources with individual fixtures. The DMX channels assigned to each RC4 dimmer output can be individually assigned as desired
1. Every CV channel could have it’s own unique DMX channel for ultimate control from a DMX console
or
2. A DMX channel could be assigned to multiple dimmers. For example, all the decorative lights could be controlled together; downlights could be assigned in rows, columns, or other arrangements
E. Using a DMX4dim provides 4 channels of CV control within a single fixture
F. Multiple dimmers within a fixture can be used to produce any number of CV control signals