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1 -Phase Dimming Troubleshooting (WIP)
1 +Phase Dimming Troubleshooting
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1 -{{box title="**Contents**"}}
2 -{{toc/}}
3 -{{/box}}
4 -
5 5  (% class="row" %)
6 6  (((
7 7  (% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-8" %)
8 8  (((
9 -= Overview =
10 -
11 11  Phase dimming is one of the most common dimming methods for LED fixtures. The term "phase dimming" actually encompasses several dimming technologies which all operate on the same basic principal of chopping up the AC voltage being delivered to the fixtures or drivers.
12 12  
13 13  Phase dimming can be broadly divided into two categories: forward phase dimming and reverse phase dimming. Forward phase dimming operates by cutting off the front (leading edge) of the AC sine wave, while reverse phase dimming cuts off the back (trailing edge) of the AC sine wave. See the [[real world data>>WebHome||anchor="HRealWorldPhaseDimmingData"]] below for an illustration.
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21 21  1. Identify the module and output that should be dimming the fixtures
22 22  1. Disconnect the switch leg to the fixture
23 23  1. Connect a multimeter to the switch leg output of the module
24 -1. Measure the AC output at various brightness levels
18 +1. Measure the V AC output at various brightness levels
25 25  1*. If the system has been partially or fully commissioned, it may be possible to use the showrunner™ UI to adjust the brightness
26 26  1*. Alternatively, some modules have physical buttons that can be used to adjust their brightness:
27 27  1**. Press the button to toggle the output on or off. A small LED light on the module will indicate current output on/off status.
28 28  1**. 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)
29 -1. The AC
23 +1. The measured V AC should decrease with lower brightness levels, but does not necessarily have a linear relationship to the brightness (e.g., output at 20% brightness will be a lower voltage than at 100% brightness, but will not necessarily be 20% of the voltage).
30 30  1*. Chief Integrations has recorded actual AC outputs for a few different 120V Crestron modules, available at the bottom of this article.
31 31  
32 -Below is a table of how to interpret troubleshooting results:
33 -
34 -|(% style="width:209px" %)**Result**|(% style="width:321px" %)**Interpretation**|(% style="width:453px" %)**Next Steps**
35 -|(% style="width:209px" %) |(% style="width:321px" %) |(% style="width:453px" %)(((
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37 -)))
38 -|(% style="width:209px" %) |(% style="width:321px" %)(((
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40 -)))|(% style="width:453px" %)(((
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45 -
46 46  = Verifying Fixture Wiring and Compatibility =
47 47  
48 48  == Troubleshooting Phase Dimming Wiring ==
49 49  
50 -There are a number of wiring and hardware issues that may result in fixtures not behaving as expected. Described below are some techniques that can help determine issues with wiring or hardware, however due to the wide variety of available fixtures and drivers it is not comprehensive.
30 +There are a number of wiring and hardware issues that may result in fixtures not behaving as expected. If fixtures are flickering rapidly as they are dimmed, then fixture compatibility with the dimming module should be verified. Check for incorrect wiring in the field by powering off the circuit for the fixtures, disconnecting the wiring from the module to the fixtures, and then powering the circuit back up. If the wires going to the fixtures still have voltage on them, then they are receiving power from some other source besides the module, which will result in dimming and control issues.
51 51  
52 -|(% style="width:273px" %)**Result**|(% style="width:317px" %)**Interpretation**|(% style="width:393px" %)**Next Steps**
53 -|(% style="width:273px" %) |(% style="width:317px" %) |(% style="width:393px" %)
54 -|(% style="width:273px" %) |(% style="width:317px" %) |(% style="width:393px" %)
55 -
56 56  == Determine Fixture Compatibility ==
57 57  
58 58  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
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67 67  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
68 68  Verify that the type of phase dimming required (forward or reverse) matches the type of phase dimming being output by the module. Many Crestron modules are universal phase dimming which should auto-detect the required dimming, but sometimes it will detect the incorrect dimming and must be forced to the correct mode. Consult the installation guide for each module to determine how to check and force the dimming mode.
69 69  
46 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
47 +It is also possible that there is a compatibility issue between the LED driver and the fixture. There are two types of LED driver: constant current and constant voltage. Constant current drivers dim the LED fixtures by varying the voltage output to reduce power while keeping current constant. Constant voltage drivers dim the LED fixtures by rapidly pulsing a constant voltage output. If the incorrect type of driver is used to power the fixtures (e.g. a constant current driver used for fixtures which require constant voltage), then the fixtures will not dim correctly. Verify that the drivers used are compatible with the fixtures.
48 +
70 70  = Specific Crestron Modules =
71 71  
72 72  The below sub-sections cover specific dimming procedures for various phase dimming controllers produced by Crestron.
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99 99  
100 100  Phase dimming DIN-1DIMU4 modules are installed inside DIN panels, which are typically located inside an electrical room or an MDF/IDF closet.
101 101  
102 -Each DIN-1DIMU4 module has four outputs which all share a common line input. Each output has corresponding LEDs to indicate current output status and current phase dimming mode. Each output also has a corresponding button which can be used to toggle each channel independently, and holding the button will cycle dim the phase dimming output for that channel.
81 +Each DIN-1DIMU4 module has four dimming outputs which all share a common line input. Each output has an LED to indicate current output status (on or off) and a button that can be used to toggle the output. Press this button once to turn the load on or off, and then press and hold this button to raise or lower the output. While dimming, the output percentage is indicated on the LCD screen on the module. Above the toggle button and load indicator LED, each output also has LEDs to indicate current phase dimming mode. Available phase dimming modes are: forced forward, forced reverse, auto-detect, and non-dim (switched). When in auto-detect mode, the "Auto" LED will be lit alongside either the "FWD" or "REV" LED to indicate which type of dimming has been detected. Below the phase mode LEDs is a recessed button which can be pressed to cycle between available phase dimming modes.
103 103  
104 104  See //[[Figure 3>>WebHome||anchor="HFigure3"]]// for details.
105 105  
106 106  = Real World Phase Dimming Data =
107 107  
108 -Below is a table of actual phase dimming readings at various percentage brightness for some Crestron lighting controllers. Measurements were taken from 120V modules operating in forward phase mode.
87 +Below is a table of actual phase dimming readings at various percentage brightness for some Crestron lighting controllers. Measurements were taken from 120V modules using a true-RMS meter (note that the oscilloscope graph appears high because it is reading the peak voltage).
109 109  
110 -|=Percentage Brightness|=CLX-2DIMU8 Oscilloscope Output|=(% style="width: 86px;" %)CLX-2DIMU8 Reading|=(% style="width: 83px;" %)DIN-1DIMU4 Reading
111 -|100%|[[image:1649956710772-275.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
112 -|80%|[[image:1649956722651-285.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
113 -|60%|[[image:1649956734539-236.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
114 -|50%|[[image:1649956742753-637.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
115 -|40%|[[image:1649956753212-813.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
116 -|20%|[[image:1649956765039-459.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
117 -|0%|[[image:1649956845393-707.png]]|(% style="width:86px" %) |(% style="width:83px" %)
89 +|=(% style="width: 99px;" %)Percentage Brightness|=(% style="width: 764px;" %)CLX-2DIMU8 Oscilloscope Output|=(% style="width: 119px;" %)CLX-2DIMU8 Reading (Reverse Phase)|=(% style="width: 119px;" %)CLX-2DIMU8 Reading (Forward Phase)|=(% style="width: 119px;" %)GL-EXP-DIMU-CN Reading (Reverse Phase)
90 +|(% style="width:99px" %)100%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956710772-275.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)(((
91 +119.7 V AC
92 +)))|(% style="width:119px" %)119.7 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)120.4 V AC
93 +|(% style="width:99px" %)80%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956722651-285.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)112.7 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)110.5 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)113.8 V AC
94 +|(% style="width:99px" %)60%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956734539-236.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)98.5 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)95.4 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)99.1 V AC
95 +|(% style="width:99px" %)50%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956742753-637.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)87.2 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)86.0 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)90.5 V AC
96 +|(% style="width:99px" %)40%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956753212-813.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)75.2 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)71.5 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)78.1 V AC
97 +|(% style="width:99px" %)20%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956765039-459.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)47.5 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)43.6 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)52.72 V AC
98 +|(% style="width:99px" %)0%|(% style="width:764px" %)[[image:1649956845393-707.png]]|(% style="width:119px" %)0.003 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)0.004 V AC|(% style="width:119px" %)1.209 V AC
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119 119  
120 120  )))
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122 122  
123 123  (% class="col-xs-12 col-sm-4" %)
124 124  (((
106 +{{box title="**CONTENTS**"}}
107 +{{toc/}}
108 +{{/box}}
109 +
125 125  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure1" %)
126 126  (((
127 -[[[[image:zumlink.png]]>>attach:zumlink.png]]
128 -//Figure 1: ZUMLINK-JBOX-16A-LV Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/0-10V%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/zumlink.png?rev=1.1]]//
112 +[[[[image:clx-2dimu8.png]]>>attach:clx-2dimu8.png]]
113 +//Figure 1: CLX-2DIMU8 Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/Phase%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/clx-2dimu8.png?rev=1.1]]//
129 129  )))
130 130  
131 131  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure2" %)
132 132  (((
133 -[[[[image:clx.png]]>>attach:clx.png]]
134 -//Figure 2: CLX-2DIMFLV8 Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/0-10V%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/clx.png?rev=1.1]]//
118 +[[[[image:gl-exp-dimu-cn.png]]>>attach:gl-exp-dimu-cn.png]]
119 +//Figure 2: GL-EXP-DIMU-CN Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/Phase%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/gl-exp-dimu-cn.png?rev=1.1]]//
135 135  )))
136 136  
137 137  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="HFigure3" %)
138 138  (((
139 -[[[[image:glpac.png]]>>attach:glpac.png]]
140 -//Figure 3: GLPAC-DIMFLV8 Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/0-10V%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/glpac.png?rev=1.2]]//
124 +[[[[image:din-1dimu4.png]]>>attach:din-1dimu4.png]]
125 +//Figure 3: DIN-1DIMU4 Overview [[(larger)>>https://wiki.chiefintegrations.com/download/SHOWRUNNER%E2%84%A2%20Setup%20Guide/Troubleshooting%20Guide/Wiring%20and%20Hardware/Phase%20Dimming%20Troubleshooting/WebHome/din-1dimu4.png?rev=1.1]]//
141 141  )))
142 142  )))
143 143  )))
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