Installation
General Information
Dimmer systems contain potentially hazardous voltages and high
temperatures. Installation should only be carried out by suitably
qualified personnel, safe working practice observed, and caution
exercised at all times. Ensure that all Power supplies are properly
isolated before gaining access.
LD90 cabinets are shipped with an installation kit containing the following
items:
• Plug-on Connectors for multiplexed control signals.
• Cable Ties
• Earth Terminals
To simplify installation and siting only front and top access is required. A
large removable access panel is provided at of the top of the rack for
power cable entry.
Care should be exercised if High Voltage insulation testers (Meggers)
are used on this equipment. Test voltages above 500V should not be
applied to the electronic circuits.
Installation
Planning
Location
Ventilation
Planning an installation is very important. The following sections contain
important information which should be read before the installation is
undertaken.
Any dimmer installation requires careful choice of location. Dimmers
should, if possible, be sited close to the lamp loads to minimise cable runs.
Although the design of LD90 reduces the radiated noise common to
conventional dimmers, it is important to avoid siting in acoustically `live'
positions in the performance area.
The incoming mains distribution should be sited as close to the racks as
practicable, and adequately fused isolators provided close to each rack.
Max rating 100A-3 phase, 300A-single phase.
Allow adequate clearance at the front of the dimmer rack, in order for it to
be opened for wiring to the load, supply and control terminals and allow
safe servicing of the equipment.
Adequate ventilation must be provided to maintain an ambient temperature
within the range 0 to 35°C and humidity of 45-95% non-condensing.
Special attention should be paid to the need to maintain ambient
Installation 1
temperature within these limits when an LD90 rack is enclosed in a small
room.
Do not obstruct the ventilation slots.
Typical weights
Dimensions
Rack, empty: 42kg
Rack, loaded with Power Blocks: 76kg
Rack, Packed & Crated: 130kg
LD90 dimmers are heavy, take care when lifting
Cable entry dimensions are as follows:
• Power Wiring Top left 135 x 505mm flat cover plate. This plate
may be removed and punched or drilled to
suit the trunking or other wiring method in use.
• Control Wiring Top right 1 x 50mm. and 1 x 25mm holes
suitable for conduit.
FixngHoles-2x6.5m
m
FixingHoles-4x6.5mm
Placement and
Fixing
The rack must not be left free standing. It mus t be fixed securely to a
suitable sturdy wall, either as a floor mounted unit or, alternatively, wall
mounted by means of the optional wall bracket
(05 003 14). Fixing in this case is via the top two holes in the rack and the
three holes in the wall bracket itself.
Wall bracket mounting provides the easiest and most secure fixing.
Fixing is easiest if the racks are mounted before Power Blocks are
fitted.
It is possible to stack units as shown in the diagrams below. The racks may
also be mounted in a ''Back to Back'' configuration. Electrical equipment
must not be used in close proximity to flammable materials.
Power Block
Mountings
Pre-configured Rack Basic Rack
Power and Load Wiring
TRUNKING
Control Wiring
CONDUIT
230mm
600mm
600mm
230mm
230mm
230mm
Note: Appropriate fixings should be used depending on the material of the
wall. The rack has four clearance holes of 6.5mm diameter whilst the
optional wall fixing bracket has three 10mm clearance holes.
Installation 3
ocks
factory configured
Installation
Procedure
After unpacking the rack, remove the front panel (2 screws) and the Earth
lead attached to it.
The rack(s) should be secured to the wall before installation. Where Power
Blocks are to be fitted by the installer, it is advisable fix the rack(s) and to
route all wiring through to the the rack via the appropriate apertures before
mounting the rack on the wall.
• Power wiring: Top left
• • Control wiring: Top right.
Note: For factory configured racks, go to Section "Power Connections" to
continue the installation procedure.
Installing Power Bl
(Non-
IMPORTANT
racks)
1. Carefully unpack each Block and remove fascia covers by gently pressing the
four 'legs' located on each side.
Note: The POWER BLOCK AND ACCESSORY INSTRUCTION leaflet is
inside and is required for wiring information later. The termination information
is also covered in the Appendix section of this manual.
2. The Power Block mountings come attached to the rack. Remove the upper
mountings and attach to them to the Power Block extruded runners as shown
overleaf. Loosen the lower mountings.
3. Position each block in rack so that it locates on the bottom mountings. Note:
Make sure that the load terminals are to the left and MCBs to the right.
4. Fix in position making sure the locating lugs are seated properly, but do not
tighten the screws yet.
5. Secure both top and bottom screws securely only when the Block is located
properly.
6. Repeat this procedure for all other Blocks.
THREE BLOCKS MUST BE FITTED TO EACH RACK. UNUSED
PARTS OF THE RACK MUST BE BLANKED OFF WITH CUSTOM
BLOCKS (05 002 08)
7. Once all POWER BLOCKS are fitted, wiring can commence.
8. Refer to the POWER BLOCK TERMINATION instructions in the appendix, for
wiring instructions. Wiring from the output side of the busbars to the input
side of the Power Blocks is factory fitted in pre-cut form and only requires
termination to the blocks.
9. Connect ribbon cables to PL1 on their respective POWER BLOCKS. Leave this
cable disconnected for Custom (blank) BLOCKS.
Power Connections
LD90 racks are equipped with busbars for Single, Two or Three phase plus
Neutral and Earth connections. The busbars are rated at 100A per phase
for 3 phase systems or 300A for single phase with the optional single phase
kit. The busbars are provided with M12 bolts for the NEUTRAL and
PHASE 1 terminals and M8 for 3 PHASE 2 and 3 terminals .
In all cases an adequately fused external isolator must be used for
each rack. The supply must not be looped through from one rack to
another.
It is imperative to provide an adequate Earth conductor for the rack
and load connections. Do not rely on earthing via conduit or trunking.
The main Earth connection is directly on the Earth Busbar, below the
Processor Unit (see Physical Description). It will take conductor size up
to 35mm2
Careful consideration must also be give n to the segregation of dimmer
power supplies and any supplies provided for sound, video or computer
equipment. In particular the Earth and Neutral for the dimmer installation
should be kept separate from the technical 'clean' supplies to avoid
unwanted interference.
Installation 5
Three Phase
Conductor sizes must be chosen to comply with local regulations and are
usually calculated to take into consideration cable lengths and types.
Typically, wiring for 3 PHASE LIVE conductors should be 35mm2 for
maximum rack load capacity.
For the NEUTRAL conductor, we recommend a size of at least 1.3 x
phase conductor size to allow for the harmonic currents generated by
phase control dimmers.
Single Phase
Typically wiring for both LIVE L1 and NEUTRAL N should be 95mm2 for
maximum rack load capacity. For this application use the Single Phase
strapping kit (05 003 13).
Fit the strapping bar across the input busbars as shown below:
5kW dimmers
Load Connections
Two connections for both LIVE and NEUTRAL are supplied at each
dimmer output to allow two loads to be connected in parallel without the
need to fit two wires in a single terminal. The terminals are located on the
Power Blocks. Please refer to the Power Block Termination details in the
appendix.
Load terminals allow for wire sizes as follows:
2.5kW dimmers
IMPORTANT
Phase Orientation
Up to 4mm2 stranded direct into the terminals and up to 6mm2 with
supplied "pin crimps".
6mm2 stranded
Earth connections are made directly to the Earth Busbar under the
Processor Unit (for location, see Physical Description). 24 busbar clamps
for up to 10mm2 wires are provided in the installation kit and are fitted as
required.
Dimmer control involves fast waveform switching, and care must be
taken to ensure that this does not result in radiated interference or
induced fields. It is therefore important that the PHASE and NEUTRAL
conductors for each circuit carry equal and opposite current
components, and this can be achieved by always running the two
conductors together as a pair of equal length. NEUTRAL conductors of
different dimmers must not be joined or run as a large common
conductor.
LD90 provides a powerful way of re-numbering physical dimmers in
software. This provides the installer with the ability to accommodate local
wiring practices (such as alternating phases for each successive numbered
dimmer). Dimmer numbers in the system can be phased as shown as
shown in the following diagrams. This is an advanced software function - it
is important to realise that physical dimmers on each Power Block are
always of the same phase.
Wiring the loads
The dimmer load wiring must be installed in one of the circuit orders
shown overleaf. When RACK SETUP is performed, the PHASE TYPE
must be set to the corresponding letter A, B, or C (see later).
Decide on the phase orientation that suits the installation best, and
terminate the loads to suit. Remember the selected mode, A, B, or C, for
Rack Setup later, and for labelling the MCB's.
It is easier to install the supplied cable ties in the cable tie landing
points and around the Input Busbar - Power Block cables before the
load wiring is put in place.
Installation 7
Phase Type A
is a straightforward
way of allocating dimmers with
Power Blocks of the same and
The load wiring must be attached to the rack and kept free of the Power
Block ventilation paths. Ensure that the wiring does not obstruct the top of
the Power Blocks, otherwise the rack may overheat and trip the
overtemperature switches.
mixed power ratings.
Phase Type C
Allocates dimmers
across phases sequentially
regardless of loading
considerations
Installation 9
Phase Type B
Allocates dimmers
across phases and will attempt to
reduce the size
'Balance' the loading.
Note: This will not
of the required Neutral cable.
kSWCTerminationLink
Control Signal
Connections
Control connections are made via screw terminals on the plug-in
connectors fitted to the Processor Unit PCB.
LD90 accepts the following dimmer control signals without need of
adjustment:
• Digital multiplex: DMX512, SMX
• D54
• Analogue: +/-10V (or mixture) one per dimmer + two inputs for auxiliary
dimmers
In addition it supports the connection of a remote System Wide Control either handheld unit(s) or wall-station unit(s) - OR connection to a Personal
Computer using the SV90 program for sophisticated remote programming
and interrogation.
Diagrams below and overleaf show Processor Unit connections and cable
types required.
MUX A (DMX/SMX) Termination Lin
Analogue Inputs 14-263 Phase powerinput
Analogue Inputs 1-13
DISPLA Y
Phase L1 Phase L2 Phase L3
Dimmer outputs
LD90 racks can be fitted with a second digital multiplex processor PCB, in
the position shown, to support simultaneous input from two control consoles
(DMX512 or SMX only on the second input).
Information on this PCB is contained in the Appendix.
Optional
2nd Mux
Processor
Plug-in connector
SWC
(Remote
Control)
Analogue
Outputs
MUX B
MUX A
Installation 11
DMX512 / SMX and SWC
Control Wiring
CABLE TYPE
MAX. LENGTH
CONNECTOR
TERMINATION
All three of these control signals use the same electrical standard: RS485.
This defines the electrical requirements of the cable and the voltages used.
The voltages are classed as Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV). The
following table illustrates the relationship between control signals and their
parameters:
Control
Signal
Mux A DMX512 PL15 RS485 Dimmer levels
Mux A SMX PL15 RS485 Dimmer levels
Mux B DMX512 PL14 RS485 Dimmer levels
Mux B SMX PL14 RS485 Dimmer levels
SWC SMX PL12 RS485 Dimmer control
Data
Protocol
Connector Electrical
Standard
Information
Transferred
commands
Belden 9841/9842 or equivalent cable approved for RS422/485 use.
Standard RS485 electrical characteristics apply, including line driver and
receiver characteristics, line loading, and multi-drop configurations.
Recommended lengths, < 300m with a maximum of 31 dimmer racks per
line.
5 way terminal block, supplied with the rack.
The termination rules for Mux A and Mux B are identical. The termination
link must be across pins 1-2 (unterminated) on all racks except the last one.
The link must be set in positions 2-3 (terminated) for the final, or single,
rack unless the control signal is to be terminated elsewhere.
For SWC and SV90 termination is not generally required. When using
SV90, termination may, in some instances, cause problems.
NOTES:
• If Mux control cables are wired to wall boxes for desk connection at alternate
positions, it is recommended that the USITT DMX512 pin conventions
(above) are used.
• This wiring arrangement applies to both Mux A and Mux B.
• SMX uses the same electrical standard as DMX and should be wired
• using two-twisted pair wiring, for SWC use the second pair used to power the
unit(s).
• If SWC remote socket boxes (66074) are mounted then the pin convention
shown in the diagram below must be used.
CONNECTOR
TERMINATION
D54 Control Wiring
CABLE TYPE
MAX. LENGTH
D54 is an unbalanced analogue multiplex signal of amplitude +/- 5V.
Standard twin screen microphone style cable with minimum 16/0.2
(0.5mm2) conductor size.
300m
5 pin Terminal block, supplied with the rack.
LK6 termination link should be left across pins 1&2 under normal
circumstances (no termination). The last rack on the lin e may be
terminated by using LK6 across pins 2-3 if the line is very long or there are
particular electrical noise problems.
Installation 13
CABLE TYPE
CONNECTOR
Analogue Input Wiring
MAX. LENGTH
INPUT IMPEDANCE
In addition to using multiplex protocols such as DMX, SMX and D54. it is
possible to use +/-10V analogue inputs as well using the appropriate
optional plug-on connectors on the processor unit PCB.
Screened multicore, 7/0.2 (0.22mm2) or 16/0.2 (0.5mm2) conductor size.
Depends on how noisy the environment is. This cable should be trained
well away from any noise sources. Lengths of 100-200m may be achieved
in optimum conditions.
2 x 15 pin Terminal blocks, optional part 05 003 11 (=2 off) .
Each input has approx. 100kΩ input impedance. It is filtered with 10mS
time constant to eliminate signal noise.
Analogue Output Wiring
CONNECTOR
A facility exists to drive two auxiliary analogue dimmers or other equipment
via the ANALOGUE OUTPUT socket on the processor unit PCB. The
plug-in connector is the same as the MUX A/B connectors and is supplied
with the rack.
5 pin Terminal block, supplied with the rack.
OUTPUT LEVEL
OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
0 to +10V positive.
1 kΩ in series with diode, allowing "pile-on" paralleling with other control
sources.
Installation 15
Before Switching
in each power block
L1 L2 L3
Testing the system
after Installation
Power On
After the installation stage is complete, a number of safety and functional
tests must be performed. The safety checks must be performed before
power is switched on for the first time.
1. Check that all terminals and mechanical fixings are secured.
2. Check for stray wire strands and make sure wires are correctly restrained and
not in contact with metal edges or obstructing the power block ventilation
paths.
3. Remove any installation debris from bottom of racks as this might obstruct
ventilation.
4. Check Earth connections and impedance.
5. Double-check Neutral connections and positively verify phase orientation at
the input busbars. Ensure that Neutral has not been confused with a phase connecting the unit "across the phases" will do severe damage.
6. Replace cover (Rating label) over supply terminals.
7. Make sure all Power Block ribbon cables are connected.
8. If "Neutral Disconnect" blocks are fitted, open all circuit breakers and Neutral
Disconnect terminals to perform insulation tests.
DO NOT test wiring without first isolating the dimmer.
1. Remove protective plastic film from display panel.
2. Replace all fascia panels, reconnect the earth lead to the front panel and re-fit
the front panel. Affix fascia labels and mark circuit numbers as required.
3. A full safety inspection of the load wiring should be carried out before power
is applied to the dimmer rack.
Testing After Power On
IMPORTANT
4. Check L1, L2, L3 LED's are lit.
5. Check display shows Rack 01, after the following sign-on message has
appeared for a few seconds:
LD90 V. XX 888
Software Version No. of dimmers
6. The message is useful to verify that the Processor Unit has recognised all the
power blocks fitted to the rack.
7. Switch on all circuit breakers and RCDs (if fitted).
8. Check OK LED is lit.
Should any of the above fail to appear, switch off the supply
immediately and check the installation again.
9. Refer to the Rack Set up Procedure (following) and set up the variable
parameters on the rack as required.
10. A suitable luminaire should be connected up to each outlet and every di mmer
individually checked using the LEVEL control facility or a suitable control
console. Any malfunctions should be investigated and corrected at this stage.
MINIMUM DIMMER
Rack Setup
Procedure
Each dimmer rack is shipped with most parameters set at usable defaults,
(see ref. section for these settings). Usually, however, a small number of
programmable settings will need to be altered using the keypad. It operates
in the following manner:
In most cases + and - keys step through the 'values' which can be set for
any parameter.
The < and > keys are used to step through various menu options. EXIT is
used to leave a menu and store the changes. Sometimes a confirmation
may be asked for. Changes to the settings will appear immediately, but are
not stored permanently until the EXIT key is pressed and any necessary
confirmation step has been taken.
To avoid tampering by unauthorised personnel, LD90 includes a security
mechanism indicated by a 'key' symbol on the right hand side of the display.
It is necessary to enter a 'security code' to "unlock" the system before any
of the keys will respond. The security lock will be automatically restored
after a 10 minute period.
The SET menu is used to alter fundamental system settings. Press the
following three keys (shown as shaded) simultaneously and hold them
down for approx. 2 seconds until *SET Language appears. (This also
unlocks the keypad)
The SET menu
LANGUAGE
RACK NUMBER
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
PHASE TYPE
LEVEL
FLUORESCENT SETUP
L3L2
L1
POWER
NON-DIM
MUXINPUT
PATCH RESPONSE
LAW
PRESET
*SET Language
LEVEL
EXIT
CO NF IRM A MUX OK
CANCEL
B MUX OK
OK
B OK
The SET menu gives access to the following settings:
English is the default language, French and German may also be set. Once
changed, all subsequent messages will be displayed in the selected
language.
For Multiple rack installations this must be set. No two racks should have
the same rack number.
This facility allows the max. output voltage to be set for all or individual
dimmers. Set max. voltage to that of your lamps, or, set them 10% lower
for considerably improved lamp life.
This must be set to the required type: A, B, C as detailed above.
This is a facility for all or individual dimmers to be held at a minimum level.
It may be used for security/safety lighting or as a preheat'.
A facility to allow dimmers to control suitably equipped fluorescent fittings.
i.e. those fitted with Strand approved ballasts suitable for phase controlled
dimming.
Installation 17
m
RETURN TO DEFAULTS
An option to return to the factory settings, useful if errors are made in
programming.
Using the SET menu, fundamental racks settings can be programmed as
required. The next few pages illustrate the procedures for accessing and
modifying the required settings. The SET menu can be left by pressing the
EXIT key when the display is showing any of the
*SET ... menus shown below.
Once at the default display, shown left, the contrast may be set, see the
Reference section, "Keypad and display" for details.
Setting Language
Setting Rack Number
Rack No.: 01
*SET : Language
*Lang: English
*Langue: Francais
*Sprache: Deutsch
*SET : Language
Rack No.: 01
*SET: Language
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
MUX INPUT PRESET LEVEL
CONFIRM
T oConfir
*SET: Rack no.
*Rack no.: 01
*Rack no.: 01
*Rack no.: 02
*SET: Language
CONFIRM
To Confirm
e
Setting Maximum Output
Voltage
Example 1: Set ALL to 240V
*SET : Language
*SET : Max Voltage
*MaxVolts: All
*MaxV: All = 230v
+
CONFIRM
Press Twic
*MaxV: All = 230v
*MaxV: All = 240v
*Please Confirm*
*MaxVolts: All
*SET : Language
+
CONFIRM
EXIT
+
CONFIRM
EXIT
Installation 19
Example 2: Set Dimmer 02 to 220V
MUX INPUT PRESET LEVEL
*SET : Language
*SET : Max Voltage
*Max Volts: All
*Max Volts: Dimmer
*Max Volts: 01=230v
*Max Volts: 02=230v
*Max Volts: 02=230v
*Max Volts: 02=220v
*SET : Language
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CANCEL
EXIT
Press Twice
Step through
Press Twice
B
C
l
Setting Phase Type
Setting Minimum
Example: Set to Phase Type A
Dimmer Levels
Rack No.:01
*SET:Language
MUX INPUT
CONFIRM
PRESET LEVEL
Press3 times
*SET:Phase Type
To Confirm
EXIT
EXIT
EXIT
for phase orientation
METHOD A
To Confirm
for phase orientation
METHOD B
To Confirm
for phase orientation
METHOD C
*SET:Phase Type=A
*SET:Phase Type=B
*SET:Phase Type=C
*SET:Language
Example: Set ALL dimmers to 10%.
Rack No.: 01
*SET : Language
MUX INPUT PRESET LEVEL
Press 4 times
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
To select
To select
*SET : Min Level
*MinLevel: All
*Min:All = Off
*Min: All = 10%
*PleaseConfirm*
*MinLevel:All
*SET : Language
Set to required % leve
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
Installation 21
Example: Set only Dimmer 02 to 10% minimum.
e
Return to Default
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
CONFIRM
Settings
Beware - this option returns all programmable settings to factory
defaults.
RackNo.:01 MUX INPUT PRESET LEVEL
*SET :Language
*SET :Defaults
*Goto Defaults?
*PleaseConfirm*
Wait.....................
*SET:Language
+
Press 6 times
CONFIRM
+
CONFIRM
Pressing EXIT again will leav
the SET Menu
Fluorescent dimmer
mode Set-up
The LD90 rack supports both magnetic and electronic fluorescent ballasts.
Each dimmer can be set up to be a normal dimmer, a dimmer for magnetic
(conventional) ballasts or one for electronic fluorescent ballasts. Magnetic
ballasts require heater relays and 12 of these may be driven, via suitable
interface electronics, from the Processor Unit. The heater relay outputs are
used to drive the fluorescent heaters via a separate "line fixed" supply. See
the Appendix for signal connection details.
When set to MAGNETIC, any of the first 12 dimmers will activate relay
outputs on the Processor Unit. Each is driven after the dimmer is faded up
from zero. The dimmer output itself is delayed by approx. 1 second to allow
the tube(s) to warm up.
When set to ELECTRONIC, the "kick-start" mode is activated. This mode
drives electronic ballasts directly. They require a voltage surge as the
dimmer is faded up from zero to get them to properly control fluorescent
loads. The advantage of this type of ballast is that there is no need for
relays and the "line fixed" supply as above.
Please note that due to the nature of fluorescents, they operate best (most
smoothly) when the dimmer RESPONSE is set to SLOW. The reference
section details RESPONSE setup.
IMPORTANT
For further information on Fluorescent Dimming refer to Strand Lighting
FACT SHEET NO.9: A Guide to Fluorescent Dimming.
In case of unwanted flashing of electronic fluorescent ballasts, for each
dimmer programmed for this application, you may need to remove a
link on the Power Block PCB - see Power Block wiring for details. You
should be aware that this will remove the RFI suppression (to
EN55014) on that dimmer. An alternative means must then be found to
suppress any interference caused.
Installation 23
Example: Set ALL dimmers to MAGNETIC type.
Rack No.:01
+
*SET :Language
*SET : Fluorescent
*FLUORES:All
CONFIRM
Press 5 times
*Fluor:All = Off
*Fluor: All = Elec
*Fluor:All = Mag
*PleaseConfirm*
*FLUORES: All
*SET : Language
+
CONFIRM
+
CONFIRM
+
CONFIRM
Example: Set dimmer 01 to the following, E (Electronic) T220V (max
s
h
voltage setting=220V), C80V (Cut off voltage=80V). For an explanation of
how and why these settings are required, refer to the fact sheet above.
+
*SET:Language
*SET:Fluorescent
CONFIRM
Press 5 time
*FLUORES:All
*FLUORES:Dimmer
F01:0:T230V C80V
F01:0:T230V C80V
F01:E:T230V C80V
F01:E:T230V C80V
F01:E:T220V C80V
*Please Confirm*
*FLUORES:All
*SET:Language
+
CONFIRM
+
CONFIRM
-
CANCEL
EXIT
+
CONFIRM
EXIT
Step Throug
Multiple Rack
Installations
Multiple rack installations require that each rack is individually numbered
and dimmers assigned accordingly.
Example: Two racks, one containing 3 x 2.5 kW Power Blocks and the
other 3 x 5kW Power Blocks, are to be installed as one complete system.
Racks and dimmers are assigned as shown below.
Installation 25
The following procedure should be followed when setting up this multiple
o
rack installation.
Set the RACK NUMBER for the second rack to 02 using its controls, (see
above). Dimmers in Rack 02 now need to have their multiplex addresses
set up The first dimmer on rack number two has to be set to 0025.
Press to take you out of the SETUP menu.
Press and follow the procedure shown below.
Rack No.: 02
Mux: StartNo
MuxA: Start= 0001
MuxA: Start= 0001
MuxA: Start= 0021
MuxA: Start= 0021
MuxA: Start= 0025
*PleaseConfirm*
Mux: StartNo
Rack No.: 02
MUX INPUT
+
CONFI RM
+
C ON FI RM
EXIT
+
CONFIRM
EXIT
Step thru to 3rd zer
Press twice
Press 4 times
Installation 27
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