Phason LDB-2 User manual

User manual and
installation guide

ii
Table of contents
Introducing the Light Dimmer Box.............................................................................................................3
Features .................................................................................................................................................3
Becoming familiar with the Light Dimmer Box ..........................................................................................4
Menus and displays...............................................................................................................................5
What you need to know before installing the LDB-2 .................................................................................6
Understanding power surges and surge suppression..........................................................................6
Electrical ratings ....................................................................................................................................6
Installing your control ................................................................................................................................7
Mounting your control ...........................................................................................................................7
Control board layout..............................................................................................................................8
Connecting lights to the variable AC .....................................................................................................9
Connecting lights to the variable DC.....................................................................................................9
Connecting DOL 16 light sensors........................................................................................................10
Verifying the installation.......................................................................................................................10
Programming the Light Dimmer Box.......................................................................................................11
Operating frequency............................................................................................................................11
Control time .........................................................................................................................................12
Control mode.......................................................................................................................................12
Light program ......................................................................................................................................13
Using and maintaining the Light Dimmer Box.........................................................................................17
Current day ..........................................................................................................................................17
Manual override ...................................................................................................................................18
Light output calibration........................................................................................................................19
Factory defaults ...................................................................................................................................20
Saving and restoring settings..............................................................................................................21
Updating the firmware .........................................................................................................................22
Additional information..............................................................................................................................23
Replacement kits .................................................................................................................................23
Optional accessories ...........................................................................................................................23
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................................26
Light program worksheets...................................................................................................................27
34141000
Copyright Phason Inc.
All rights reserved.
Printed in Canada

Phason Light Dimmer Box
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Introducing the Light Dimmer Box
Phason’s Light Dimmer Box (model LDB-2) is designed around its easy-to-use functionality and
ability to control LED, CFL, or incandescent lights. The LDB-2’s large 4-line, 20-character display is
bright and easy to read, and the 4-button keypad makes it a breeze to navigate through the menu
and program the control.
Whether you are using the LDB-2 to control a light schedule for your poultry, swine, dairy, or
greenhouse facility, the Light Dimmer Box is sure to exceed your expectations.
Features
LED, CFL, and incandescent light compatibility
Two automatic modes:
Power mode controls by 0 to 100% power output
Sensor mode controls by measured LUX output
Requires DOL 16 light sensor
Configurable 365-day lighting program
Independent programs for each channel
Up to 20 schedules/lighting periods, per control mode
Up to 12 events per schedule
Separate ramp-up and ramp-down durations
Automatic program restart option
Manual override
Two variable AC channels
Two DC-signal channels
Two disconnect relays
Two light sensor connections
Light output calibration
Four-line, 20-character backlit LCD display
Real-time clock with power-failure settings protection
NEMA 4X enclosure (corrosion resistant, water resistant, and fire retardant)
CSA approval
Limited warranty (two years)

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Becoming familiar with the Light Dimmer Box

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Menus and displays
Main display
Shows the program status and time
Press Select to go to the main menu.
Main menu
Provides access to information and settings.
Press Up or Down to move through the menu.
Press Select to access an item.
Current day
Move forward or backward in your lighting program. For more
information, read Current day on page 17.
Diagnostics menu
Manually adjust the output. For more information, read Manual
override on page 18.
Allows you to calibrate the minimum and maximum light output. For
more information, read Light output calibration on page 19.
Light program menu
Provides access to all light program settings and configuration. For
more information, read:
Control mode on page 12
Light program on page 13
Configuration menu
Provides access to configuration. For more information, read:
Control time on page 12
Operating frequency on page 11
Saving and restoring settings on page 21
Factory defaults on page 20
Updating the firmware on page 22
About display
Shows the version and date of the firmware.
Day 001 16:30:25
Ch:1 Out: 80%
State:Normal
Schedule:01 Event:04
MAIN MENU
1 Current Day
2 Diagnostics
3 Light Program
4 Configuration
5 About
Select Channel: 01
Current Day: 001
DIAGNOSTICS
1 Channel1 Override
2 Channel2 Override
3 Calibrate
LIGHT PROGRAM
1 Control Mode
2 Event List
3 Restart Day
4 Rise Duration
5 Fall Duration
CONFIGURATION
1 Time
2 Frequency
3 Save Settings
4 Restore Settings
5 Factory Defaults
6 Update Firmware
Light Dimmer Box
LDB-2
V#.##
##/##/####

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What you need to know before installing the LDB-2
It is important that you read the following sections before you install your control.
Understanding power surges and surge suppression
Power surges can be caused by external influences (for example, lightning or utility distribution
problems) or they can be caused internally (for example, starting and stopping inductive loads such
as motors).
One of the most common causes of power surges is lightning. When lightning strikes the ground, it
produces an enormously powerful electromagnetic field. This field affects nearby power lines, which
transmit a surge to any device connected to it, such as lights, computers, or environmental controls
like your Light Dimmer Box. Lightning does not have to strike a power line to transmit a surge.
If you do not install external surge suppression devices, you risk damage to the
electronics inside your LDB-2, which may cause your LDB-2 to fail.
Because it is not possible to completely protect this product internally from the
effects of power surges and other transients, we highly recommend that you
install external surge suppression devices. For specific recommendations, see
your electrical contractor.
If you do not take these precautions, you acknowledge your willingness to
accept the risk of loss or injury.
Electrical ratings
Control power
120/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz
Fuse: 250 V, 1 A fast-acting glass
Variable AC
1000 watts at 120 VAC, 2000 watts at 230 VAC
8.5 A at 120/230 VAC, general-purpose (resistive)
Fuses: 15 A, 250 VAC ABC-type ceramic
Relays
1/3 HP at 120 VAC, 1/2 HP at 230 VAC
360 W tungsten at 120 VAC
Fuse: 12 A, 250 VAC ABC-type ceramic
Variable DC signals
0 to 10 V, 50 Ω, 200 mA
Alarm relay
0.4 A at 125 VAC, 2.0 A at 30 VDC, resistive load
0.2 A at 125 VAC, 1.0 A at 30 VDC, inductive load
Variable AC lights must be on the same phase as the control.

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Installing your control
Before connecting the incoming power, switch OFF the power at the source. Do not
switch ON the power until you have finished all wiring and verified all equipment is
properly connected and free of obstructions.
Use the electrical knockouts for bringing wires or cables into or out of your
control’s enclosure. Do not make additional holes in the enclosure; this can
damage the watertight seal or control components and void the warranty.
Before connecting the power, set the voltage selection switch to the correct
voltage.
Mounting your control
1. Select a location for your control.
Make sure you have enough cable and wire to
reach all the equipment you want to control.
2. Remove the screws from the front cover and
then gently lift it off.
3. Mount the enclosure to a wall using the four
screws provided with the control. Insert the
screws into the large holes in each corner of the
box and then tighten.

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Control board layout
Control fuse: The fuse is 250 V, 1 A fast-acting glass.
Voltage selection switch: Set the switch to the correct supply voltage before installing your control.
Display cable: Make sure the ribbon cable from the display is properly connected.
Sensor terminal: This terminal is not used
Variable DC terminals: Connect lights requiring a 0 to 10 V DC signal for control.
Alarm relay terminal: Connect an external alarm system or siren to this terminal.
Slave connectors: You can connect optional Phason Slave Units to these connectors.
Variable AC terminals: Connect AC powered lights. AC powered lights must be on the same phase as the control.
Disconnect relay terminals: Connect as a disconnect switch.
Incoming power terminal: Connect the incoming power (120/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz).
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
1
6
10
5
7
8
9

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Connecting lights to the variable AC
The relays follow the variable circuits and
act as disconnect switches. RLY 1 is for
VAR1; RLY 2 is for VAR2. When the
output is 0%, the relay is open (off). When
the output is 1% or higher, the relay is
closed (on).
Variable AC lights must be
on the same phase as the
control.
Connecting lights to the variable DC
The variable DC outputs are for controlling
AC-powered, dimmable lights requiring a 0
to 10 V DC signal.
The relays follow the variable circuits and
act as disconnect switches. RLY 1 is for V3;
RLY 2 is for V4. When the output is 0%,
the relay is open (off). When the output is
1% or higher, the relay is closed (on).

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Connecting DOL 16 light sensors
You can connect an optional DOL 16 light sensor. Light sensors allow you to take advantage of the
LDB-2’s ability to control by lux output and adjust according to ambient light.
Sensor 1 is for VAR 1/V3. Sensor 2 is for VAR 2/V4.
Verifying the installation
After installing and connecting equipment, verify the installation by following the steps below.
1. Make sure the voltage selection switch is in the correct setting.
2. Make sure all wires are properly connected to the correct terminals. Make sure you know which
piece of equipment is connected to each relay.
3. Make sure the display cable is properly connected.
4. Place the cover on the control and then tighten each screw a couple turns using your fingers.
5. Switch on the power to your LDB-2.
When the power comes on, the control should show a Power Fail message and then
show the main display. If the main display does not show, go back to step 1.
6. Test the equipment using manual override. For more information, read Manual override on page
18.
7. Tighten the four screws in the cover.
Do not over tighten the screws. Avoid using power screwdrivers or drills.