Rack Overview

The i series e and i series Quad dimmer racks are composed of three main modular
components:

   1. The dimmer rack chassis
    2. The dimmer modules
    3. The control module

The dimmer rack chassis defines the number of dimmer modules that may be installed, the power feed line voltage, and power feed configuration of the installation.

i series e racks are available in 96,48, and 24 dimmer channel configurations, for either 90-135 VAC or 190-260VAC power feeds, in either 3phase - 4 wire Y plus ground or single phase 3 wire plus ground power feedconfigurations, with an alternating current line frequency in the range of 47 to 63 hertz. i series e racks have a number of bussing configurations that allow racks to be bussed together with ratings between 10,000 and 100,000 AIC capacity depending on the configuration.

i series quad racks are available in 48 channel and 48 or 96 channel portable dimmer configurations, for either 90-135 VAC or 190-260VAC power feeds, in either 3 phase - 4 wire Y plus ground or single phase 3 wire plus ground power feed configurations, with an alternating current line frequency in the range of 47 to 63 hertz.

The dimmer modules define the power and filtering levels of the individual branch circuits to be controlled. Dimmer modules of different power capacities are mechanically keyed so that dimmer modules of higher ampacities may not be inserted in to dimmer slots wired for lower ampacities. A wide variety of dimmer and are available.

i series e dimmer modules come in either dual or single channel module configurations, with either 500micro second or 800 micro second rise times for 120VAC system.

i series e dimmer modules come in either dual or single channel module configurations, with either 350micro second or 500 micro second rise times for 240VAC applications.

i series quad dimmers are only available in 4 circuit 2.4KW or 1.8KW configurations with 350 microsecond rise times for 120VAC systems.

i series quad dimmers are only available in 4 circuit 4.0KW configurations with 200 micro second rise times. for 240VAC systems.

It should be noted that in order for the dimmer modules to cool properly, the
rack must have all the dimmer module positions installed in the rack with either
a dimmer module or airflow module.

The control module contains nearly all of the control electronics and generates
the necessary control signals and power necessary to control the dimmers in the
rack. There are 2 different control modules for i series e and i series quad.

i 96/48 control module (CTP-0311e) controls i96e, i48e or i48Quad dimmer
racks in all configurations.

i 24 control module (CTP-0313e) controls i24 dimmer racks in all
configurations.

Control modules are completely interchangeable within the i series e and i series quad system, as long as they are the same type of control module as detailed above. The only selection that makes a control module unique is the thumbwheel address setting on the front of the control module. All other individual parameters for the rack are stored in the socketed serial EEPROM chips on the i series e backplane. On power up, the control module automatically loads all the unique information from the serial EEPROMS on the backplane, determines the line frequency, and phase angle firing assignments. The top pair of chips in a 16 pin DIP socket (P5) permanently store all the unique information for the upper control module position. The bottom pair of chips in a 16 pin DIP socket (P6) permanently store all the unique information for the lower control module position. The unique information that is stored is the configuration parameters of the control module itself, backup looks, analog submaster scenes, the panic scene, and the custom patch. Standard patches are available by setting the address number in the range of '1 'to '15'. Setting the thumbwheel to '0' invokes the custom patch stored in the EEPOMS on the backplane. The thumbwheel address positions for standard patches are the following:

DMX-512 Thumbwheel Patch Dimmer Assignments

The Custom Patch is created using the Hand Held Terminal in

DMXOK LED solid on means the address thumbwheel is set beyond dimmer 512

With jumper JP6 removed on the backplane , the rack responds as a sequential rack for all standard patches. (excludes the custom patch)

With jumper JP6 installed on the backplane , the rack responds as a phase balanced rack for all standard patches. (excludes the custom patch)

The upper and lower control modules are completely independent of each other, with completely different custom patches and configuration information, which allows them to be connected redundantly, or to two completely different control sources. The outputs of both control modules pile onto each other in a highest takes precedence or HTP fashion.