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0-10V Dimming Troubleshooting

Version 8.1 by Alexander Mott on 2022/03/30 19:32
Contents

Overview

0-10V dimming is one of the most common dimming methods for LED fixtures. It utilizes a 0-10VDC signal from the lighting controller to the fixture power supply or driver in order to control the brightness of the fixtures. This 0-10VDC signal is typically carried over a shielded pair of gray (negative) and violet (positive) wires. In the event that 0-10V dimming fixtures are exhibiting unexpected dimming behavior, an easy place to begin troubleshooting is at the lighting control module. 

General Procedure

Crestron produces a variety of 0-10V lighting controllers, and the specifics for troubleshooting them varies slightly. That being said, there is a general procedure for testing 0-10V dimming modules that is applicable to any type of 0-10V controller (even non-Crestron controllers). 

The general 0-10V troubleshooting procedure is as follows:

  1. Identify the module and output that should be dimming the fixtures
  2. Disconnect the 0-10V wiring to the fixtures
  3. Connect a multimeter to the 0-10V dimming output of the module
  4. Measure the 0-10V output at various brightness levels
    • If the system has been partially or fully commissioned, it may be possible to use the showrunner UI to adjust the brightness
    • Alternatively, some modules have physical buttons that can be used to adjust their brightness:
      • Press the button to toggle the output on or off. A small LED light on the module will indicate current output on/off status.
      • Once the output is on, press and hold the button to cycle dim the output (first press and hold will lower the output, subsequent press and holds will toggle between raising and lowering the output)

Below is a table of how to interpret troubleshooting results:

ResultInterpretationNext Steps
Module produced the expected 0-10V DC outputModule is not defective. The issue is likely with 0-10V wiring in the field or with LED fixture drivers.

Verify that the 0-10V wiring in the field is not shorted. Try shorting the 0-10V wiring to the fixtures and observe the result. The fixtures should dim to about 50% brightness.

Verify that the 0-10V wiring is correct at the fixture drivers (e.g. that the positive and negative wires did not get mixed up).

Verify that the fixture drivers are actually 0-10V drivers; if the drivers are DALI or some proprietary dimming protocol, then they are not compatible with 0-10V lighting controllers. Either the drivers will need to be replaced or the lighting control system will need to be replaced.

Module did not produce a steady 0-10V signal

Module or control wiring may be defective.

Disconnect the lighting controller from the processor and repeat the 0-10V troubleshooting procedure in order to eliminate the possibility of programming being the issue.

  • If the module still does not produce the expected output then it is defective and should be replaced.
  • If the module produces the correct output when disconnected from the processor, then the issue may lie with the programming or with the control wiring (Cresnet / Zūm wiring).

Specific Modules

Below is information about specific dimming procedures for 0-10V dimming controllers produced by Crestron.

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CLX-2DIMFLV8 and CLX-2DIMFLV8-277

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GLPP-DIMFLVCN-PM, GLPP-1DIMFLV2CN-PM, and GLPP-1DIMFLV3CN-PM

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GLPAC-DIMFLV4 and GLPAC-DIMFLV8

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GLXP-DIMFLV8CN

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Figure 1: Sea

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Figure 2: Waves