Page 1
GE
Installation Guide
Lighting Solutions
®
Tetra
miniMAX
LED Lighting System
(GEMM71-2, GEMM50-2, GEMM41-2, GEMM32-2, GEMMRD-1, GEMMGL-1,
GEMMBL-1, GEMMPO-1)
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Read these instructions completely and carefully.
WARNING/AVERTISSMENT
12
Volt
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
• Turn power off before inspection, installation or removal.
• Properly ground Tetra® power supply enclosure.
RISK OF FIRE
• Use only UL approved wire for input/output connections.
Minimum size 18 AWG (0.82mm2)
• Follow all NEC and local codes.
Save These Instructions
Use only in the manner intended by the manufacturer.
If you have any questions, contact the manufacturer.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required to
correct the interference at his own expense.
RISQUES DE DÉCHARGES ÉLECTRIQUES
• Coupez l’alimentation avant l’inspection, l’installation ou le
déplacement.
• Assurez-vous de correctement mettre à terre l’alimentation
électrique Tetra®.
RISQUES D’INCENDIE
• N’utilisez que des ls approuvés par UL pour les entrées/sorties
de connexion. Taille minimum 18 AWG (0.82mm2)
• Respectez tous les codes NEC et codes locaux.
Prepare Electrical Wiring
Electrical Requirements
• Do not use in wet locations.
• The grounding and bonding of the LED Driver shall
be done in accordance with National Electric Code (NEC)
Article 600.
• Follow all National Electric Codes (NEC) and local codes.
imagination at work
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Components
1
5
Layout Modules
2 3
4
TC Measure Point
UL approved 18 AWG (0.82 mm2) supply wire
1
UL approved 22-14 AWG (0.33-2.08 mm2) wire
2
connectors or 22-18 AWG (0.33-0.82 mm2)
in-line/IDC connectors
#6 or #8 (M3 or M4) screws, 1/8 inch (3.2 mm)
3
rivets, or electronic grade silicone or equivalent
Tetra® 12 Volt Power Supply
4
Tetra® miniMAX LED modules
5
Clean & remove all debris from
1
the inside of the channel letter
before you begin.
Use rivets, screws, or silicone
4
to secure at least every fth
LED module within the channel
letter. Use #6 (M3) or #8 (M4)
pan headed metal screws, 1/8-
inch (3.2 mm) rivets, or silicone.
Measure and cut Tetra LED
2
strip to the appropriate length
for each letter. Cuts can be
made between any of the
modules.
Drill a 1/4-inch (6.4 mm)
5 6
hole near the LED strip and
grommet the hole for supply
wire access.
NOTE: For halo-lit applications LED modules should be mounted on UL
recognized clear acrylic or polycarbonate. The light output from the LED
system should be directed back into the sign enclosure. This will allow for
uniform backlighting of the sign and will provide simple mounting and
protection against moisture.
Remove tape backing and
3
stick LED modules into place.
Continue until you have
reached the end of the strip.
Clean & remove all debris from
the inside of the channel letter.
Replace sign face.
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Electrical Connections
White (-)
Red stripe (+)
Connect LED strips using in-line (IDC) connectors
1 2
or twist-on wire connectors.
To Tetra LED System
Black or blue (-)
Red (+)
Power
Supply
Run a wire from the Power Supply to each
3
channel letter and connect to the rst LED
module on the strip.
Must be used with Tetra® 12 Volt Power Supplies.
Cap wires
Must cap all exposed wires with appropriate wire
connectors.
Red (+)
Red Stripe (+)White (-)
Connect the red stripe wire (+) of the LED strip to
4
To power
supply
Black or blue (-)
the red wire (+) of the power supply. Connect the
white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or blue
wire (-) of the power supply.
NOTE: All electrical connections should be made
within the letter.
Retrot Instructions
1. (Existing Signs Only) Prior to installation, survey the site for information regarding power and accessibility inside and outside the building. Ensure
that the branch circuit supplying the existing transformer or ballast will be within the voltage ratings of the new LED power supply, and have
a current rating not exceeding 20A, or that permitted by applicable local, state, or country electrical codes (whichever is less).
2. (Existing Signs Only) Remove the existing lighting equipment to be replaced, such as neon tubing or uorescent tubes; and associated
transformers and ballasts. Care should be taken not to break the existing neon or uorescent tubes.
NOTE: Follow all federal and local regulations when disposing of neon tubing, uorescent tubes, transformers and ballasts.
3. (Existing Signs Only) If removal of the existing lighting equipment eliminates the disconnect switch, as required by applicable local, state, or
country electrical codes; a new disconnect switch must be installed.
4. (Existing Signs Only) Make sure the removal of lighting equipment does not compromise the integrity of the sign body (i.e. water intrusion). Fill in
all holes 0.5 in. (13 mm) or smaller with the appropriate amount of rated caulk or sealant. For holes greater than 0.5 in. (13 mm), use an aluminum
or zinc coated steel patch with rivets and sealant.
5. (Existing Signs Only) A clean and dry mounting surface ensures optimum adhesion if the self-adhesive method of mounting is chosen. Follow
the manufacturer’s directions when using a non-oil based solvent, such as rubbing alcohol to clean the surface area where you intend to mount
the module. Before installing, ensure the surface is dry.
6. Using the layout guidelines above, determine required number of LED modules required to illuminate the sign.
7. A Tetra® 12VDC Class 2 Power Supply, as listed below, must be used with this retrot kit. Using the Maximum Loading chart below, determine the
number of Tetra® Class 2 Power Supplies required to power the number of LED modules required to illuminate the sign, so as not to overload
the Tetra® Class 2 Power Supply chosen.
8. Follow the instructions above to properly mount the LED modules.
9. Connect the DC output of the power supply to the LED modules using the Electrical Connections instructions above.
10. Connect the power unit to the supply in accordance with the applicable local, state, and country electrical codes, and the instructions found in the
power supply installation guide.
11. If required, the disconnect switch shall be installed by qualied personnel, in accordance with applicable local, state, and country electrical codes.
Page 4
Troubleshooting
Symptom Solution
All letters are OFF • Check AC input connection and/or check circuit breaker.
• Check wire connection(s) at the Tetra® LED System and power supply for improper
termination(s) or short circuits. Properly terminate or replace the wire connection(s).
• Check that connections are the red striped wire (+) of the LED strip to the red wire (+) of
the power supply and the white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or blue wire (-) of the power supply.
Some LEDs
appear dim
Some of the letters are
not illuminated
• Ensure the overall length of the Tetra® LED System does not exceed the maximum load.
• Ensure the length of supply wire is equal to or below the recommended remote mounting distance.
• Check wire connection(s) at the Tetra® LED System and power supply for improper
termination(s) or short circuits. Properly terminate or replace the wire connection(s).
• Check that connections are the red striped wire (+) of the LED strip to the red wire (+) of the
power supply and the white wire (-) of the LED strip to the black or blue wire (-) of the power supply.
Shadows • Re-route supply wire and secure to the back of the can with silicone. Adjust wire connector
orientation so that it does not cover any LEDs.
• Adjust LED layout to ensure uniformity of illumination on the face of the letter.
Tips
• Tetra® LED systems are rated for damp location use by UL, and should be protected from direct exposure to moisture (i.e., rain & snow).
• For optimal light uniformity in halo-lit applications the Tetra® LED modules should be mounted on UL recognized plastic and the light
output from the Tetra® LED system should be directed back into the sign enclosure. This will allow for uniform backlighting of the sign and
will provide simple mounting for the Tetra® LED system.
• When mounting LED modules for halo-lit applications the clear acrylic should be recessed into the body of the sign or a bead of silicone
should be applied to provide a barrier against the elements.
• A best practice for the supply wire at the point at which it is brought into the sign is to have a drip loop on the inside of the letter to keep
water from collecting on the Tetra® LED strip.
Specications
Maximum Loading per Tetra 12 VDC Power Supply
180W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed
5A per each (of 3) output channels
170 modules/68 ft. (20.73 m)
per output channel
510 modules/204 ft. (62.18 m)
per power supply
150 modules/60 ft. (18.29 m)
per output channel
450 modules/180 ft. (54.88 m)
per power supply
120 modules/48 ft. (14.63 m)
per output channel
360 modules/144 ft. (43.89 m)
per power supply
12 AWG/0.82 mm
Supply Wire
SKU Rating
GEMM71-2, GEMM50-2,
GEMM41-2, GEMM32-2
GEMMRD-1, GEMMGL-1,
GEMMBL-1
GEMMPO-1
12VDC, 27mA/module
0.324W/module
12VDC, 32mA/module
0.384W/module
12VDC, 40mA/module
0.480W/module
20W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed 1.6A
56 modules/22 ft. (6.70 m) 170 modules/68 ft. (20.73 m)
50 modules/20 ft. (6.10 m) 150 modules/60 ft. (18.29 m)
40 modules/16 ft. (4.88 m) 120 modules/48 ft. (14.63 m)
60W Power Supply
Note: Load shall not exceed 5A
Maximum Remote Mounting Distance
18 AWG/0.82 mm
Supply Wire
20W Power Supply 30 ft./9.1 m - - -
60W Power Supply 15 ft./4.6 m 23 ft./7.0 m 38 ft./11.6 m 65 ft./19.8 m
180W Power Supply 15 ft./4.6 m 23 ft ./7.0 m 38 ft./11.6 m 65 ft./19.8 m
NOTE: For linear runs longer than 40ft, center connection to the LED strip is recommended to minimize voltage drop.
2
16 AWG/0.82 mm
Supply Wire
2
14 AWG/0.82 mm
Supply Wire
2
2
This product is intended solely for the use of non-residential signage lighting and is
not intended for use in any other applications.
IP66 rated: separate enclosure required for outdoor use, UL damp location rated
GE Lighting Solutions • 1-888-MY-GE-LED • www.gelighting.com
1-888-69-43-533
GE Lighting Solutions, LLC is a subsidiary of the General Electric Company. Tetra is a trademark of GE Lighting Solutions, LLC. The GE brand and logo are trademarks of the General Electric Company.
© 2014 GE Lighting Solutions, LLC. Information provided is subject to change without notice. All values are design or typical values when measured under laboratory conditions.
Conforms to the following standards:
GE2020-8748
SIGN093-R022614
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