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Installation Manual Dimmer Rack Manual Part Number: 2-450173-020 Revision Level: Revision Date: 16-August-2005 Written By: Charles Coley, II...
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Copyright 2004-2005, Strand Lighting. All rights reserved. Information contained in this document may not be duplicated in full or in part by any person without prior written approval of Strand Lighting Ltd. Its sole purpose is to provide the user with detailed installation information for the equipment supplied.
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This manual describes the installation procedures for EC21 dimmer racks. A separate Operator's Guide describes the software operation and its use. Thank you for choosing Strand Lighting EC21 dimmer racks. We trust that the equipment will meet all your dimming needs and will provide you with reliable service for many years.
Table of Contents This manual describes the installation of the EC21 dimmer rack. The installer should refer to the separate EC21 Operators Guide for detailed information concerning the initial setup procedures referred to in the Commissioning section of this manual. Basic Troubleshooting is also provided in the EC21 Operator's Guide.
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Figure 19 – SWC/Outlook Wiring and Termination .........20 Figure 20 – Remote Contact Closure Termination ........21 Figure 21 – A/V Interface Termination .............22 Figure 22 – Installing EC21 Rack Hinge Plate and Door ......24 Figure 23 – Rack Processor Module Front Panel ........26 Tables Table 1 –...
A chassis containing one or two dimmers or contactors. This is sometimes referred to as a “dimmer.” However, each EC21 power module can have multiple dimmers or contactors in it, so this manual distinguishes between dimmers (individual power control circuits) and power modules (a collection of...
A/V interface, let you recall any 8 or 16 of the 128 presets at each station. Please contact Strand Lighting or see the System Wide Control Data Sheet or System Wide Control User’s Manual for details on how SWC works.
Section 1 - Hardware Description General The EC21 dimmer rack is a listed, free standing, factory assembly of welded steel and aluminum construction finished in a fine textured, scratch resistant coating. Each EC21 dimmer rack consists of a rack processor housing (RPH) with one or two rack processor modules (RPM), a fan module, and up to 24, 36 or 48 dimmer modules.
Note: Three-phase delta racks and single-phase racks are available in custom applications. Rack Supply Voltage and The EC21 rack is suitable for use with supply voltages of between 90 and 264VAC power and frequency range of 47 to 63 Hz. Frequency...
5 minutes. Fans are turned OFF when no dimmers are in use. Each EC21 dimmer rack contains a rack processor housing (RPH). This housing contains the rack processor module(s), power supplies, and control Rack Processor Housing...
Each EC21 rack contains one or two rack processor modules (RPM). The rack Rack Processor Module processor module is available in two variations: 96 outputs and 144 outputs. (RPM) Each rack processor module has an LCD display, keypad, and LEDs to report processor module and dimmer status and allow simple setup and control at the rack.
DMX512. The second DMX512 input is configurable to accept either DMX512, Strand Lighting’s System Wide Control (SWC) dimmer protocol or Strand Lighting’s Outlook architectural protocol. Each DMX input has a patch to allow overlapping or separation of any DMX control level.
The power modules are the high power switching section of the EC21 dimming Dimmer Modules system. The power block in this module is the interface between the high power AC and low power control. It is driven by low level signals (5mA, 3-24V) and switches high level signals (up to 50A, 240VAC).
Please consult Strand Lighting on the actual main feed size required for specific installations. Strand Lighting recommends that the dimmer rack power be a separate feed and that no other equipment share the feed. Because phase control dimmers...
Do not run wiring in ways other than shown on the system riser diagram or use alternative control cables to those specified by Strand Lighting. Do not substitute plastic conduit for metal conduit. Metal conduit acts as a ground and shield.
Positioning the Fan and choke noise may be objectionable if the racks are installed close to audience or performance areas. The racks are best installed in a dedicated Dimmer Rack(s) plant room remotely located from the stage, audience, and acoustically "live" positions of the performance area.
Door Open 90º Figure 8 – Clearances Preparing the The EC21 rack is supplied without the door installed. The dimmer modules and rack processor housing are supplied separately. In order to gain full Rack for Wiring access to the rack, you must: 1.
Power Wiring Power feed wiring enters the top right back of the dimmer rack only. The figure below shows a typical top fed rack. The phase, neutral and earth power cables enter the rack through the top. All power cables are terminated using a suitable-rated compression lug (see Figure 11 below) and bolted to the mains bus bars.
Caution Connect system ground to the earth lug provided. Connect the neutral to the neutral bus bar. Connect the power feeder wires to the mains bus bars. EC21 Dimmer Rack Bus Support Amp-Trap Installation Detail Neutral Bus Bar Line Bus Link...
Control Wiring Control wiring between dimmer rack components is pre-wired at the factory. Connections that go to the control interconnection card (CIC) are in a bundle and clearly labeled. To install the Rack Processor Housing (RPH) in the dimmer rack: Install the Rack Processor Housing Remove the cover from the cable chute on the left side of the rack by...
Connecting Power to the The three-phase supply to the rack processor housing (RPH) is factory wired Rack Processor Housing from a terminal block at the bottom rear of the rack. The cable is connected to the rack processor housing by a multi-pin plug located on the rear of the housing.
CIC board where shown in figure 17. Connecting the Control EC21 dimmer racks accept a variety of data signals as inputs and outputs and provide control signals to the dimmers in the rack, together with status signals. Signal Wiring...
Belden #1583A Ethernet Jack Figure 17 – Ethernet Wiring and Termination Cable: Belden 1583A or Strand Lighting approved equal. Max Length: This cable must be installed and terminated in compliance with TIA/EIA-568 standards for category 5 cabling. Terminations are to be made using the 568B color code.
The two types of connections provided in Strand Lighting equipment for DMX512 Wiring DMX512 dimmer control signals are the XLR style connector and terminal blocks. EC21 dimmer racks use pluggable terminal block connections. Wall receptacles and consoles use XLR style connectors.
If connections must be made in a junction box due to length of run or other considerations, these connections should be made using good quality terminal blocks incorporating a wire protection leaf. Simple twisting of the conductors will result in gross reliability problem. If Connections are soldered care should be taken to ensure the joint is not subject to movement / vibration.
The RS232 Interface allows for third-party A/V systems to directly recall any of RS232 Interface the 128 SWC presets that are stored in the local rack processor housing (RPH) using serial commands. 5 Spare 4 Spare 3 Receive 2 Transmit 1 Common Figure 21 –...
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Panic turns any single dimmer, combination of dimmers, or all dimmers ON, Select Dimmers for Panic bypassing system electronics. Select panic for a dimmer using DIP switches located on the CIC (see figure 16 on page 17). Each rack has 96 or 144 panic switches. Dimmers with switches ON are switched ON when you activate panic, regardless of their control station settings.
Install the door strike on the opposite side of the hinge plate. Align the door to the hinges. Install the hinge pins to the door. Install the Strand Lighting nameplate to the center of the door. Hinge Pin Hinge Bracket...
6. Turn on power to the rack. If the system does not function properly, follow the troubleshooting instructions in the EC21 Operator's Guide. If these steps fail, or for assistance with replacement parts, please call Strand Lighting or the local Authorized Service Center in your area.
Processor Self Test Once you have applied power you need to make sure that the system is working correctly and the rack processor modules are set properly for the and Fault Identification installation. This step checks for any problems due to shipping or installation. First ensure that the system is properly operational with just the main processor fitted.
If any other LED does not illuminate correctly, switch OFF the power immediately and check the installation again. If the fault persists and all wiring seems correct, call Strand Lighting. If the LCD shows an error, see the Error Log section of the EC21 Operator's Guide. Section 3 - Commissioning...
SET LEVEL function and carefully monitor the loads. Check for any error messages, or dimmer events displayed on the rack processor module LCD. Initial Programming Refer to the EC21 Operator's Guide and set the following menu items, as applicable. • Language •...
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