Full Text Searchable PDF User Manual
TECHNICAL MEMO
Operation
Fluorescent Electronic Ballast Controller
FEBC
© Copyright Arpil 2005 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc
Original Document January 1993
FEBC Operation
Page 2
1.0 SCOPE
This document describes the operation, calibration, and specifications associated with the Fluorescent Electronic
Ballast Controller (FEBC).
2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The FEBC will provide the function of interface between DMX512, or CMX and solid state electronic ballasts or other
devices that use a DC control voltage up to 12 Vdc.
Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the FEBC circuit. Note that the contactors are not shown in this diagram.
Containing 4 channels, the FEBC provides 4 analog output signals which may be adjusted to operate at full scale
between 5Vdc and 12Vdc. There are also four contactor controllers which provide the drive signal associated with air
gap relay requirements for dimmable fluorcscerlt ballasts.
Dimmer addressing is achieved by selecting the starting dimmer address on the BCD switche's located at the edge
of the card. 4 consecutive dimmer values are sampled from the optoisolated DMX512, or CMX serial signal and
processed by the FEBC's microcontroller.
Analog outputs represent a scaled voltage of the 4 dimmer inputs. A potentiometer is adiusted for each channel to
establish the full scale output voltage. The maximum voltage swilg is. adjustable for an output scale of approx. 0V to
12 Vdc.
The 8 position DIP switch provides for the following options:
Linear or Square Law output
Normal/Non-dim select
Calibration (Full scale output)
Contactor Disable
There are 4 solid state relays (zero-crossing) provided to supply drive current to off-board air gap contactors. These
opto-coupled relays require an external power source (typically 115 / 230 Vac) to drive the contactors. It may be
possible to drive 1 or 2 A.C. loads directly frorn the FEBC controller board and eliminate the contactors for economy
sake.
Input power is jumper selectable between 115 Vac and 230 Vac @ 50/60 Hz. A primary fuse (1A Slo-blo) is provided
on-board.
FEBC Operation
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3.0 HOW TO USE THE FEBC
3.1 Serial Input
DMX512, and CMX protocols are accepted. This input is opto-isolated.
CMX/DMX Jumper
Set jumper 2 for desired CMX (E5) or DMX (E4) operation.
Input Termination
Input termination is not normally required. However, if termination is desired, solder a 100 OHM 1/4W resistor
into R5 position.
NOTE: Termination is sometimes considered for long input control wire lengths.
Shield Wire Isolation
The shield wire is not normally passed through the FEBC product. Therefor, the receiver and transmitter shield wires
are not connected togethler. transmitter shield wire is connected to the digital ground in the FEBC.
If it is desired to connect the input shield to the output shield solder a jumper into E6.
NOTE: Connecting the input shield to the output shield is not normally required in this product's application.
This jumper should only be considered in applications where the shield wire is intended to carry a signal.
3.2 Dimmer Selection
Any dimmer may be selected as the first dimmer of a group of 4 dimmers. A selection of dimmers 510 through 512
will default to dimmer 509 (thus eliminationg wrap-around through 00). A selection of 000 will default to dimmer 001.
FEBC Operation
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DMX/CMX Channel Selector Switches
Select the starting channel (in decimal) on the rotary switches S1 through S3, Switch S3 is the most significant digit.
Refer to the chart below for exarmples:
S3 S2 S1
0 0 1 = Channel
1
0 2 1 = Channel
21
1 2 3 = Channel
123
5 0 9 = Channel
509
3.3 Option Dipswitch
At power-up, the dipswitch (S4) is checked. There are 4 configurable functions described by the dipswitch:
POS OFF ON
1
DIS
EN
Square Law Output Select
2
DIS
EN
NON-DIM Select (All 4 channels)
3
Not
Used
Leave these switches in the off
4
Not
Used
|
5
Not
Used
|
6
Not
Used
position.
7
DIS
EN
Calibration
Select
8
DIS
EN
Relay Driver Disable
Square Law Output (Dipswitch Position #1)
The square law output drives the analog voltage output differently than lineair output. When data is received by the
FEBC it is converted into the. Square law output. It is theorized that square law compensation matches more closely
to the sensitivity of the human eye with incandescent lamps. Figure 2 shows a graph of square law output vs linear
output.
NON-DIM Select
Since there are 4 relay drivers on this product, it is possible to use the FEBC relay drivers instead of the analog
outputs. By selecting the NON-DIM function (dipswitch position #2), the relay drivers will operate as NON-DIMS
providing a turn-on threshold which occurs at DMX512 50% output levels. This option does not affect the analog
outputs.
Calibration
When the power is turned on with dipswitch #7 on, all Outputs Wilt go to full. This will allow for calibration of the
Output levels Without the need for an input DMX or CMX source.
FEBC Operation
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Relay Output Bypass
When switch #8 is selected at power-up, the air-gap relay drivers will be disabled. Analog outputs will continue to
operate.
3.4 Input Line Voltage
The FEBC is strappable for 115V and 230V 50/60Hz operation. A 1 Amp Slo-blo line fuse is attached to the PCB.
The PCB is fabricated with the 115V operation enabled. To convert to 230V operation, cut both traces at E1 and E2,
then solder a wire jumper at E3. Use a wire gage of #24 or larger for this jumper.
4.0 DEVICES SUPPORTED
The FEBC will support any analog control device which will accept a 0V to 12 Vdc (adjustable maximum) input
source. The maximum amount of current supplied will not exceed 20mA and therefore the number of analog loads
must take into account line impedance and output loading.
The FEBC has been tested for use with the following electronic ballasts:
ADVANCE MARK VII - Cat. No. RDC-140-TP (single)
ADVANCE MARK VII - Cat. No. RDC-240-TP (dual)
The FEBC is also capable of driving other analog loads. However, the, product is not tested with anything other than
the above ballasts.
5.0 CALIBRATION
The FEBC may be adjusted to meet voltage requirements for up to 12Vdc full scale.
5.1 Calibration Procedure
A. Insure that there is nothing connected to the analog Outputs of the FEBC which may be damaged by voltages
up to 15Vdc.
B. Set the option dipswitch to CALIBRATE function. This is switch position #7 On S4.
C. Supply power to the FEBC. If power was already on when the dipswitch was changed, cycle power off and on
again to put FEBC into calibrate mode.. All analog outputs go to full levels and the relays Wilt turn on in this
mode.
D. Connect a voltmeter between the AN1 terminal and any RET terminal on connector P4. Adjust Potentiometer
R19 for the desired full-scalce output voltage.
For MARK VII ballasts the Output setting should be approximately 9.0 Vdc.
FEBC Operation
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E. Connect a voltmeter between the AN2 terminal and any RET terminal on connector P4. Adjust Potentiometer
R20 for the desired full-scale output voltage.
F. Connect a voltmeter between the AN3 terminal and any RET terminal on connector P4. Adjust Potentiometer
R21 for the desired full-scale output voltage.
G. Connect a voltmeter between the AN4 terminal and any RET terminal on connector P4. Adjust Potentiometer
R22 for the desired full-scale output voltage.
H. Reset the option dipswitch from the CALIBRATE function. Set switch #7 on S4 to the 'off' position.
I.
Cycle power off and on again to remove FEBC from calibrate mode. All analog outputs will reflect incoming
signals or be set to zero levels.
FEBC Operation
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6.0 CHARACTERISTICS
The following specifications are typical design parameters for the Fluorescent Electronic Ballast Controller.
These characteristics are based upon calculations and are not actually tested.
6.1 Electrical Power Characteristics
Input Power
115 / 230 Vac 50/60Hz (Strapped)
Data Input
DMX512, CMX Serial Data
RS485 compatible
Analog Signal Output
Source Current
20 mA @ 12 Vdc (short circuit protected)
Sink Current (Advance ballasts use this parameter)
20 mA @ 2 Vdc
Contactor Drivers
Opto-coupled Zero Crossing
1A @ 240 Vac
Contactor Parameters (in packaged FEBC product)
Normally Open Contacts
20A @ 120 Vac
10A @ 240 Vac
10A @ 277 Vac
(Derate to 10A for ballasts)
6.2 Physical Characteristics
Temperature
+32 to +140 degrees Fahrenheit 0 to +60 degrees Centigrade
Humidity
90% relative humidity (non-condensing)
FEBC Operation
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FEBC Operation
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LIGHT LEVEL VS PERCENT OUTPUT
Percent Light
Level
Percent Light
Output
Percent Light
Output
0 0 0
10 10 1
20 20 4
30 30 9
40 40 16
50 50 25
60 60 36
70 70 49
80 80 64
90 90 81
100 100 100
Linear Scale
Square Law Scale
Figure 2
Comparison Between Linear and Square law Light Output
