what is the need of this analog output device
L5504amp Hi, This unit is most commonly used for controlling dimmable fluroescent fittings. Although it is not used as much anymore since DALI and DSI have become so popular. The main drawback is that it cant turn the fitting off so you need to use a relay as well as the AMP. I hope this helps, Spooky
Sorry to resurrect and old thread but my questions fit in here. What happens when you ramp to 0? While I appreciate that the fitting may not be off, will the light output be 0 - much like a dimmer that is at 0, there is leakage current but now light output. If there is no light output from the fitting then why do we need the relay as well - is there some other reason? What cable is suitable for this unit, is just the twin and earth OK or should a shielded cable be used? Whats the realistic maximum length for a cable run before voltage drop or interference is an issue? Mick
The analogue output device is for 0-10 (or 1-10) V dimmable lamps. These are quite common in the USA, not so common in Australia as they used to be. As far as I can remember, the lamp has a current source on its terminals, sourcing 1 mA or something like that. The analogue output unit then has to soak up that current and hold the voltage at a suitable point to cause the lamp to dim. Except some lamps use a current sink You can wire them up with pretty much anything, though conventional double insulated cable is probably a good idea. The need for a relay to turn lamp off is problematic. It all depends on what you want, as well as the behaviour of the ballast. Some ballasts will save lots of power when "off", some won't. You have to do your homework on the behaviour of the ballast.
Thanks Ashleigh I understand that there are load considerations on the unit - so watching which driver is used and how many can be used ona single channel is important. This is for LED so "normal" dimming is troublesome at best. So the standard twin used for lighting is fine - just wanted to check that there was not something special requried. A little reading as indicated that a 0-10V ballast/driver, at 0V will turn off, a 1-10V unit will dim down to 10% and hence a relay is required to turn off. So a relay may or may not be required - depends on the unit selected. Appreciate the help Mick
For anything modern - dimming to 10% is pretty pathetic. DALI ballasts typically dim to 1% or less. If they actually follow the entire DALI dimming range the low end is 0.1%, but I don't know how many manage to do that. I'm also not sure about DSI, but I believe the low end there is 1% or less, also. You would not want to use a 10% ballast for theatrical house lighting, for example, because the low end is not low enough. It's probably also not much good for domestic night lighting. It might be OK for office lighting where you want to do some daylight harvesting.
In 0-10V ballast, 0V will not turn off but keep a lowest level usually. customized can turn off but that not good option. 0-10v work with relay usually as mentioned above.
We use quite a few of these for LED dimming, tend to find that constant current drivers don't dim down to zero but constant voltage ones do! (usually set a lower limit on the dimming to stop them going off altogether and use a relay for the off. The main reason for using the 0-10V is compatibility, there are no issues, if the driver is 0-10 or 1-10V then it works!
0-10V LED dimming Hi Mick The turning off is all about safety and energy saving. If it is for a LED device, then the safety is not so much of an issue as you can't easily access a live part, like you cold if changing a GLS or halogen lamp in a traditional luminaire. Energy is a different matter, if it is on when not required, then it is likely wasting power. If you only require to control one circuit then the 5101R is the most under-rated c-bus device. (I believe Schneider have now discontinued this part) This unit has a 0-10V output as well as a relay. So connect up the LED driver and the 0-10V control up to this one unit and you have complete control. When at 0% it turns off. Best to used mains rated cable when amongst other cable carrying mains. I've done this for a Dimmable LED strip being used as the main light source in my renovated bathroom. Happy lighting!
Hey thanks - I totally forgot about the single channel realy having 0-10V. I actually have one and hate it for its form factor but it makes [a bit more] sense when you think of it that way. Mick
Just be aware that the 5101R can only sink current. It cannot source current so it won't work with ballasts that require the 0-10V control gear to provide the power. Fortunately these are in the majority. Also, the 5101R is only good for 1-2 ballasts. Any more than that and it will struggle to pull the 0-10V signal down and you'll get only limited ability to dim.
