Digital Dimmers

The C-Bus dimmer is compatible with a range of load types.

Trailing edge for incandescent and capacitive input electronic transformer based LV lighting.
Leading edge for iron-core transformer based LV or neon lighting and other inductive loads.

Unit Types

DIMDD8 (5508D1D, 8 Channel 1A DIN Digital Dimmer with switchable C-Bus Power Supply)
DIMDD4 (5504D2D, 4 Channel 2A DIN Digital Dimmer with switchable C-Bus Power Supply)

To convert old dimmers to new dimmers, click here

To upgrade Digital Dimmer firmware, click here

To confirm channel dimming mode via live networks, click here

To enable/disable "Inbuilt C-Bus Power Supply" function for the Digital Dimmers, click here

WARNING
Dangerous voltages may be present on the output of dimmer channels even though the dimming level is set to zero. Avoid the risk of electrical shock that could result in death or serious injury by disconnecting the unit from mains power before accessing the output terminals or any connected wiring. This condition is found on many dimming products. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

WARNING

Dangerous voltages may be present on the output of dimmer channels even though the dimming level is set to zero.

Avoid the risk of electrical shock that could result in death or serious injury by disconnecting the unit from mains power before accessing the output terminals or any connected wiring. This condition is found on many dimming products.

Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage.

The field information to configure SpaceLogic C-Bus Dimmers is as explained below:

Name	This field allows to modify the Dimmer device name
Type	This field displays the default device type
Location	This field display the location where the device is situated
Applications	This section displays the lighting applications supported by the dimmers. Up to four lighting applications can be defined and then used throughout the configuration of the dimmers
NOTE: Name, Type and Location are database properties only and are not stored in device

Channels NOTE : DIMDD8 will have 8 channels DIMDD4 will have 4 channels	Group This field allows to program group addresses associated with dimmer channels. Can select group address using drop-down list, modify group address using or add group address using Can also create a new group name which takes the next available address (it’s a fast commissioning option).
	Dimming Mode	This field allows to select type of the Dimming mode: Tailing Edge (TE) or Leading Edge (LE)
	Channel Name	This field allows to define the channel name of the dimmer
	Channel Location	This field allows to define the channel location of the dimmer
	Advanced	Min Level	This field allows to set the minimum level in percentage.
		Max Level	This field allows to set the maximum level in percentage.
		Warn Before off Time	This field allows to set the warn before off time. By default, it is Not enabled.
		Load Profile	Load profile feature allows to set the dimming channel to operate on specific load. By default, the inbuilt load profile is connected to the dimming mode selected. Maximum of 4 custom profiles can be selected using drop-down list. Custom load profile can be modified using . For more details, click here For more details on custom profile live testing, click here.
		Dimming Curve	For more details, click here
		Power Recovery	This field allows to set the power recovery percentage. By default, it is Restore To Previous.
		Power On Delay	This field allows to set the Power On Delay in hours: seconds format.
		Logic	Type This field allows to select the type of the logic group
		Logic	Logic Group This field allows to program logic group addresses associated with dimmer channels Can select group address using drop-down list, modify group address using or add group address using Can have maximum 4 logic groups

Warn Before off

This section indicates warning off before the group address is turned off (1–15 minutes) based on the timings set.

Warn Before off Enable Group

It also allows to create a new group name which takes the next available address.

This section will allow to create a enable group using and modify existing group using

By default. it is unused. If enable group is created Restore To Previous is enabled.

By typing new name in <unused> space allows to create a new group name which takes the next available address.

Restore To Previous

If Restore to Previous is unchecked, recovery level is enabled to set. By default, restore to previous is checked

Recovery Level

Recovery level percentage can be from 0 –100%

Remote On/Off

This field allows to choose the combinations of Remote On and Off for each individual channels

NOTE :

DIMDD8 will have 8 channels
DIMDD4 will have 4 channels

Error Reporting This section display the fields for error reporting	Firmware Version	Applicable for firmware version below 1.1.0	Applicable for firmware version above 1.1.0
	Device ID	This field displays the unit address of the device NOTE: The Device ID is for the entire device and is as same for Measurement.
	Mode Control Group	This field allows to add an enable group (0–254)
	Regular Reporting	This field configures the Error Reporting mode of the Dimmers into one of three modes: Triggered only: Errors are reported only when triggered by the assigned Trigger Group Always ON, most recent only: The most recent errors are reported automatically at a regular time interval (time set by the “Regular Report Interval” field). Always ON, most recent and most severe: The most recent and most severe (or latched) errors are reported automatically at a regular time interval (time set by the “Regular Report Interval” field).	This field configures the Error Reporting mode of the Dimmers into one of the modes: Disabled (Triggered only) All Errors, most recent only: All Errors, most recent and most severe (Mode 2) Minimum Errors, most recent only (Mode 3) Minimum Errors, most recent and most severe (Mode 4) All the modes can be set with the regular reporting interval set to "No regular reports", which allows live reporting of errors without the regular reports.
	Regular Reporting	Restore to Previous If selected, this field restores the data on power failure	NA
	Regular Reporting Interval	This field is used to select the time interval period between the completion of a regular report and beginning of the next report in Always On, Most recent only and Always On, Most recent and most severe modes. By default, the interval is 30 minutes Regular reporting interval is enabled for Trigger Only mode
	Trigger Group	This field contains a Trigger Group to trigger an error reporting event for any of the three error reporting modes. When a Trigger group is created, resend and acknowledge action selector are displayed. The Resend Action Selector is set to send all errors and Acknowledge Action selector is set to acknowledge all errors
	Destination Network	This field contains the destination C-Bus network to which the Dimmers routes the error reporting messages. This allows the error messages to be sent to a remote C-Bus network for central monitoring if it’s not the local network
	Advanced	C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be less than the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Clear Threshold” value selected. If the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Clear Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Clear Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold value + 1 V).
		C-Bus Voltage Warning Clear Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be greater than the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold” value selected. If the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Voltage Warning Clear Threshold value - 1 V).
		C-Bus Voltage Critical Set Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be less than the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Clear Threshold” value selected. If the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Clear Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Clear Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Voltage Critical Set Threshold value + 1 V). If the “C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold” has a value set (other than "Disabled"), then the value selected must be less than (current C-Bus Voltage Warning Set Threshold value).
		C-Bus Voltage Critical Clear Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be greater than the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Set Threshold” value selected. If the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Set Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Voltage Critical Set Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Voltage Critical Clear Threshold value - 1 V)
		C-Bus Power Supply Warning Set Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be greater than the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Clear Threshold” value selected. If the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Clear Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Clear Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Power Supply Warning Set Threshold value - 10 mA)
		C-Bus Power Supply Warning Clear Threshold	By default, “Disabled “ is selected The value selected must be less than the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Set Threshold” value selected If the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Set Threshold” is "Disabled", then setting a value here will also set the “C-Bus Power Supply Warning Set Threshold” value to (current C-Bus Power Supply Warning Clear Threshold value + 10 mA)
		Unit Over Temperature Set Threshold	This field is a combo box which is by default set to 70° C . The “Unit Over Temperature Set Threshold” property increments by 1° C with a range of 1° C - 80° C.
		Unit Over Temperature Clear Threshold	This field is a combo box which is by default set to 65° C . The “Unit Over Temperature Clear Threshold” property increments by 1° C with a range of 0° C - 79° C.

	Firmware Version	Applicable for firmware version below 1.1.0			Applicable for firmware version above 1.1.0
Measurement	Device ID	This field displays the unit address of the device NOTE: The Device ID is for the entire device and is as same Error
	Send Trigger Group	This field contains a trigger group to request the Dimmers to send its stored measurement data
	Clear Trigger Group	This field contains a trigger group to clear the stored measurement data in the dimmers
	Regular Broadcast Interval	NA			Disabled by default. Can set the intervals between 1 min to 4 hours.
	Regular Broadcast Option	NA			All	Enabled by default
					Lamp Hours	Selected and Disabled by default
					Channel Temperature	Selected and Disabled by default
					Power Supply Current	Selected and Disabled by default
					C-Bus Voltage	Selected and Disabled by default
					Unit temperature	Selected and Disabled by default
					NOTE: Deselecting all will enable each of the individual check box options
	Destination Network	This field contains the destination C-Bus network to which the dimmer routes measurement application messages
	The action selector for trigger groups is as explained below:	Virtual Channel Number	Property	Units	Reset	Notes
		0 – 15	Lamp Running Time	Hours	Yes	NA
		16 – 31	Channel Voltage	Volts	No	Units with power metering only
		32 – 47	Channel Current	Amperes	No
		48 – 63	Channel Power	Watts	No
		64 – 79	Channel Energy	Watt-hours	Yes
		80 – 95	Channel Lifetime Energy	Watt-hours	No
		128 – 143	Channel Temperature	Celsius	No	Dimmers only
		252	C-Bus Power Supply Output Current	Amperes	No	NA
		253	C-Bus Voltage	Volts	No	NA
		254	Unit Temperature	Celsius	NA	NA
	Measurement Application supports various operational parameters for triggered request. Measurement Request Trigger Group defines the Trigger Group for the request. A trigger's Action Selector determines which measured parameter is requested. NOTE: Action Selector 0xFF requests all measurements (in which they are sent 2 at a time with an interval of 2 seconds). Other Action Selector values can be used to request individual measured properties corresponding to the virtual channel number as per the above table. The DEVICE ID for the Measurements is defined by the Device ID parameter, the same Device ID is used for Error Reporting. The Device ID will be unique per network to differentiate measurements from different devices. The devices monitoring the Measurement messages should keep track of the source network to differentiate if Device IDs are reused across multiple C-Bus networks. If the Device ID parameter is left at its default value of 0xFF then the Unit Address is used as the Device ID in the Measurement Application messages, which ensures uniqueness. However, if the device is readdressed then any monitoring devices will also needs to be updated to match the new Device ID (It is recommended to leave the Device ID as the default value).

Logic Groups

Dimmers can have maximum 4 logic groups each group having respective channels (8 or 4)

Group

This section will allow to create a enable group using and modify existing group using

By default, it is unused. If enable group is created Restore To Previous is enabled.

Power Recovery

This field allows to set the power recovery percentage. By default, it is Restore to previous.

Channel

NOTE :

DIMDD8 will have 8 channels
DIMDD4 will have 4 channels

Global This section displays the project properties set by the user at the time of creation of the project.	C-Bus Clock	If checked, allows the user to enable the C-Bus clock for the dimmers
	Disable Local Toggle	If checked, disables the local toggle
	Network Hardware Burden	If checked, the physical hardware burden is plugged into the device By default, it is unchecked
	Inbuilt C-Bus Power Supply	If checked, the power supply is enabled/active By default, it is unchecked
	Disable Dimmer Mode Change	If checked, disables the dimmer mode change
	Disable Power Supply Toggle	If checked, disables the power supply toggle
	Disable C-Bus Priority	If checked, disables the C-Bus priority
	Disable Clock Generator Toggle	If checked, disables the clock generator toggle

Unit Identification This section display the fields for identification of the unit.	Unit Type	The Unit Type field contains the unit type and unit description of the device
	Catalog Number	The Catalog Number field contains the catalog number related to the unit type
	Firmware Version	The Firmware Version field shows the version number of the C-Bus interface firmware which exists on the physical network or which has been assigned to a logical representation of the unit in the database.
	Part Name	The Part Name field contains the part name which is stored in the unit hardware, which can be modified
	Unit Address	This field displays the unit address assigned to the device
	Serial Number	The Serial number field contains the serial number which exists on the physical network
	Tag Name	The Tag Name field contains the name that user can give to the logical representation of the unit. This name can be up to 32 characters long and is stored in the project database only
	Notes	The Notes field contains a location to add notes about the unit which is stored in the project database only

Status The Status section contains information about the C-Bus network related functions located on the unit.	Device Status This section displays the details of hardware.	Hardware Version	This field displays the hardware version of the device
		Firmware Version	This field displays the firmware version of the device
		C-Bus Clock Active	This field indicates whether the C-Bus internal clock is currently enabled on the Dimmers on the network
		C-Bus Voltage (V)	This field displays the C-Bus voltage of the device
		Inbuilt C-Bus Power Supply Active	This field displays whether the Inbuilt C-Bus Power Supply Active is On or Off
		Power Supply Load	This field displays the load of the power supply (mA)
		Power Supply Output Voltage	This field displays the power supply output voltage (mV) of the device
		Load Power	This field displays the load power (mW) of the device
		Unit Temperature	This field displays the unit temperature (°C)of the device
	Channel Status Each channel will have these channel status. NOTE : DIMDD8 will have 8 channels DIMDD4 will have 4 channels	Load Compatibility	This field displays the status of load incompatibility (Yes/No)
		Dimming Mode	This field displays type of the dimming mode
		Offline	This field displays the status of the device (Yes/No)
		Dimming Mode Error	This field displays the status of dimming mode error (Yes/No)
		Temperature Wind Back	This field displays the status of temperature wind back (Yes/No)
		Temperature Shut Down	This field displays the status of temperature shut down (Yes/No)
		Over Current	This field displays the status of over current (Yes/No)
		Operating Temperature	This field displays the value of the temperature
		Mains Frequency	This field displays the value of the mains frequency

Once configuring dimmers is completed Save the changes.

Load Profile

By adjusting settings within each dimmer channel, a Load Profile tailors dimming behavior for better end-to-end performance.

Inbuilt Load Profiles and the Inbuilt Dimming Curve have the pre configured settings which cannot be modified. If the acceptable results cannot be utilized with the load being used, the settings are customized and applied to a dimmer channel.

A Custom file can also be saved and used within other channels of the dimmer and also shared across other compatible dimmer devices.

Default Dimmer Channel Profile is selected to be the most universal. There are 4 user-configurable dimmer channel profiles. Each channel can be assigned to any one of these 5 profiles. In each case there is a improvement for the light source behavior during dimming, the load profile can be adjusted by the SpaceLogic C- Bus Commission Software.

NOTE: The Load Brand, Load Model, Load Quantity, Custom Notes, Load Type and Mains Frequency fields are saved as project settings only. Furthermore, the Load Type and Mains Frequency selections determine the values presented in the Custom Load Profile section.

The SpaceLogic C-Bus Commission software allows:

The customizing of the load profiles per channel.
4 user configurable profile per channel/device.
Saving and sharing of endless load profiles for future project uses.
Different load types:
- LED Lighting (TE Dimmable)
- LED Lighting (LE Dimmable)
- Electronic Transformer (TE Dimmable)
- Electronic Transformer (LE Dimmable)
- Incandescent Lighting (TE Preferred)
- Incandescent Lighting (LE)
- Iron Core Transformer (LE)
- Sweep Fan (LE)
- Exhaust Fan (LE)
- Other (LE)
- Other (TE)

To create a customized Load Profile:

Under Advanced section of Channels, click Load Profile.
Select Custom Profile.
Click

Custom Load Profile and Dimming Curve window is displayed. The load profile customizing is done in ‘configuration’ tab.

For 50 Hz

For 60 Hz

NOTE: The Custom Load Profile parameter values varies depending on the load type selected.

The lower limit for the Soft Turn On property is calculated dynamically. However the lower limit value is no less than 0.01.
The lower limit for the Soft Turn Off property is calculated dynamically. However the lower limit value is no less than 0.01.
The lower limit for the Kickstart Brightness is based on Minimum Brightness + 10.
The lower limit for the Kickstart Turn On property is calculated dynamically. However the lower limit value is no less than 0.01.
Selecting a Load Type will load specific values based on the selection of the Mains Frequency property.

IMPORTANT: When deploying a DIMDD8 / DIMDD4 dimmer, the dimming mode of each channel of the dimmer device loaded into the Property Editor are compared to the live dimmer device. If there is a conflict in the dimming mode of a channel :

A “Channel Dimming Mode Conflict” window is displayed prior to deployment

Confirm Yes to resolve the conflict and deploy.
Confirm No to cancel the deployment.

SpaceLogic C-Bus Commission enables saving, uploading or sharing of load profile files which includes the following :

Load Brand
Load Model
Load Quantity
Custom notes associated with the load
Load Type
The Dimming mode is read-only.
Mains Frequency

Dimming setting includes the following:

To Edit the preset values, click on the value and type new value within the range which is mentioned next to the parameter.

Click to reset the parameter values.

Minimum Brightness: Sets the level where the load operates or is visibly On.

Maximum Brightness: Sets the level where the load exhibits no further change in brightness or output.

Soft Turn On: Sets the role of change for Instant Ramps. The value is the time taken to transit from Off to Maximum Brightness. This value can also affect the timing of C-Bus Ramps between levels and the output of a dimming curve, which is set to 1 second or less.

Soft Turn Off: Sets the role of change for Instant Ramps. The value is the time taken to transit from Off to ON.

Kickstart Duration: When enabled, sets the duration to maintain the Kickstart Brightness level before recovering to a lower level if set.

Kickstart Brightness: When enabled, sets the dimmer Kickstart Minimum Brightness level before when transition from Off to On (at any level).

Kickstart Turn On: When enabled, sets the time in which the Kickstart Brightness level is applied to the load. A value of 10 ms is a Fast or Hard Start (same as a switch). This value is recommended to be set to Fast between 0.010 ton 0.100 seconds.

Kickstart Recovery: When enabled, sets the time taken at the end of the Kickstart duration to transition from the Kickstart Brightness level to the currently set level of the load.

If the set level is less than the Kickstart Brightness level, this value is set to Slow to achieve a smooth unnoticeable transition at the end of the kickstart.

To reset both Load Profile and Dimming Curve set values click Reset All.

Mention Load Brand, Load Model, Load Quantity and Profile notes in the specified space and confirm OK.

The custom load profile settings created can be saved and used for other dimmer channels and dimmer devices by exporting the settings using Save To File. The Save to file is enabled once there is a change in the settings.

The exported custom load profile can be reloaded to use for other dimmers using Read From File . This will open the folder consisting of json files in the path Assets > Load Profile and Dimming Curve Files

Select the file and click open.

Custom Profile Live Testing

Custom Profile Live Testing allows to quickly discover and define the Min, Max Conduction values for a dimmer channel via a direct connection to a dimmer with “live” control of the connected load without repetitive deployment including:

Maximize dimming range of connected lights.
Mask erratic behavior of lights at low brightness levels.
Mask little/no change in response of lights at high C-Bus control levels.
Define attributes from live testing rather than experimenting or guessing values to try.

To perform live testing on the dimmer, follow the below steps:

Select any custom profile in the Load Profile property and click .
The live testing is performed in the ‘Testing’ tab as shown below. The testing tab is disabled initially.

The testing tab is enabled once the following conditions are met:
- The C-Bus Network must be opened and scanned.
- If the dimmer is invoked from project, dimmer must be partial or fully matched.
- A group address must be set or configured to the channel.
Once the above conditions are met, ‘Testing’ tab is enabled as shown below.

The testing tab displays the below properties of the dimmer:
- Dimmer Device Name.
- Dimmer Channel Name.
- Current configured Load Profile for the channel.
- Current configured Dimming Curve for the channel.
- Current configured Dimming Mode for the channel.
To start the testing, click

NOTE: The testing operation will place the current dimmer channel into a test mode for the user to explore, test and confirm the dimming capability with the load connected to the channel.
Once the testing is started, the process will takes place in 2 steps: Step1 and Step2.

In Step1:
1. Set the lowest acceptable brightness level and click ‘Turn On at Minimum’ to test the Turn On behavior at that level.
2. Set the highest acceptable brightness level and click ‘Turn On at Maximum’ to test the Turn On behavior at that level.
3. Click ‘Turn off’ to turn of the test at that level.
Click Step 2 to test the dimming response, else click Save to end the testing operation.
In Step 2:

To test and observe the dimming behavior within the range defined in Step 1. Choose the ramp rate response between the Minimum and Maximum Brightness limits with the load currently connected.

The ramp rate ranges are instant, 4 secs, 8 secs, 12 secs, 20 secs, 30 secs.

Dimming Curve

A "Dimming Curve" refers to a translation between input level and output level. A Dimming curve adjusts the rate of the change of the brightness level of a dimmer channel as the C-Bus group (level) is ramped. The default dimming curve is linear.

To create a customized Dimming Curve:

Under Advanced section of Channels, click Dimming Curve.
Select Custom Curve.
Click

Custom Load Profile and Dimming Curve window is displayed.

To add new point on chart, right click on the chart and select ADD. To change the added point, hold and drag the point to set new channel and control range value.

Once settings are completed mention curve notes and confirm OK.

The chart in below image represents mapping between load profile and C-Bus control range.

The custom dimming curve settings created can be saved and used for other dimmer channels and dimmer devices by exporting the settings using Save To File. The Save to file is enabled once there is a change in the settings.

Click to reset the setting values.

The exported custom dimming curve can be reloaded to use for other dimmers using Read From File . This will open the folder consisting of json files in the path Assets > Load Profile and Dimming Curve Files

Select the file and click open.