Articles and whitepapers

Product Article: The Dynalite DDMC802 Multipurpose Lighting Controller (1/2/2007)

By Nick Van Tromp, Dynalite Europe

It is often said that the type of luminaire connected to a circuit determines what lighting control product you specify to control it. But does this need to be so? Such conventional thinking in lighting controls is now being challenged by new products such as the Dynalite DDMC802.

The Issue

Traditional lighting control products are restricted to the specific application that they were designed for. Typical control techniques are: phase dimming of leading- or trailing-edge-compatible loads such as incandescents and low -voltage fittings with electronic transformers; dimming of fluorescent HF ballasts via outputs of 1-10V, DSI or DALI; or simple switching using relays on loads that do not require dimming.

Conventionally, lighting control products group together similar load controllers into multiples of four, and you pay for all four control channels, even if you only need two. Likewise, on some products that have dual functionality, such as those that can switch between leading-edge and trailing-edge dimming, you pay a premium for the trailing edge technology, even if cheaper leading edge dimming performs satisfactorily. This not only leads to higher costs at the crucial quotation stage, but with spare channels and extra controllers that otherwise would not be needed, valuable space is wasted during installation.

The Solution

With the increasing load diversity of lighting installations in residential properties, Dynalite has developed a new multipurpose controller, the DDMC802, to tackle these demands. Each channel of the 8-channel controller can support a range of technologies, including leading edge and trailing edge dimming, and switched on/off relay control or ballast control - all from a single modular product. For the first time, it is possible to 'pick and mix' individual load controllers on a channel by channel basis.

How it works

Like all Dynalite products, the DDMC802 has a built-in microprocessor enabling it to work as a stand-alone unit or as a component in a complete Dynalite network of devices. Having distributed intelligence means that controls can be located wherever they are needed and not just limited to where the space is large enough to house them all. In this way, long power cable runs back to a central point can be eliminated and replaced with a network of smaller distribution points, all of which are connected by a single Cat 5 cable. Also, unlike systems with a central processor or router, the rest of the Dynalite system will continue to operate normally if a processor malfunctions.

The DDMC802 can be mounted on DIN Rail or screwed to the switchboard, and measuring only 12 DIN Rail units (96mm x 211mm x 75mm ) makes it ideal for residential applications where space is often at a premium. The contemporary housing design allows for greater heat dissipation, reduces stress on internal components, increases product longevity and provides greater load capacity.

The DDMC802 with redesigned DIN Rail housing

The removable front cover provides device reset, channel override and programming capability without removal of the switchboard cover and subsequent exposure of electrical wiring. Another useful feature is that the label on the front cover can be removed and replaced upside down so that the unit itself can be mounted upside down so as to segregate network from power when mounting multiple DDMC802s one above the other in close proximity. The end result is a unit that is easier to install, commission, service and reprogram.

The DDMC802 showing internal control cards

With the front cover removed, the DDMC802 motherboard accepts up to 8 control cards with a true maximum load of 16 amps across the whole unit. The control cards can be any of the following:

The DDLM102, a 1 x 2A leading edge phase control card, suitable for incandescent lamps and some types of dimmable electronic transformers

The DDTM102, a 1 x 2A trailing edge phase control card, suitable for use with most types of dimmable electronic transformers.

The DDRM102, a 1 x 2A relay control card, suitable for switched loads

The DDBM100, a one-channel ballast control card, suitable for controlling DALI, DSI and 1-10V ballasts and transformers (a relay control card must be paired with an HF ballast control card when controlling 1-10V ballasts)

When the control cards are inserted, the aluminium brackets at the top of the cards line up to form a heat sink. This ensures maximum heat loss and that the device works normally when fully loaded, even when ambient air temperatures are high. Each control card is fuse-protected internally, however if one becomes damaged, it can be easily removed and replaced without the expensive and timely costs associated with replacing the whole unit.

Summary

The DDMC802 not only provides a complete lighting control solution for the residential home automation market, it is equally suitable for use in hotel room and boardroom applications. The innovative, fully modular approach means that each product can be tailored precisely to fit the application that it is being used for. This saves time for the system designer as well as keeping overall costs to a minimum because only the technology that is required to do the job ever need be installed.

Nick Van Tromp is the Sales Engineer, A.V. Channel for Dynalite Europe Ltd, provider of flexible control systems.

For full technical details of the DDMC802, visit the Products section of the Dynalite website.

www.dynalite.eu