10
VLC-4 rev.02
VLC-4
6. LIGHT
PROGRAMS
6.1. Principle of Operation
• Light Programs:
The controller can use 10 different light pro-
grams containing 6 daily light cycles each.
The same program is performed every day
until another program replaces it (the pro-
gram selection is made according to the age
of the animals).
• Light Cycles:
Up to 6 different light cycles can be per-
formed in the course of a light program. These
cycles are used to change the light intensity
over the day (see graph below).
When the start time of a cycle is reached, the
light intensity gradually increases over the
sunrise delay. The standard light intensity is
reached when the sunrise delay has elapsed.
The standard intensity is maintained until the
stop time is reached. At that moment, the
light intensity decreases gradually and goes
back to minimum intensity over the sunset
delay. The minimum intensity is maintained
until the start time of the following cycle.
• Light Peaks:
Light peaks are marked increase in the light
intensity over a short period of time. They
are used to stimulate the animals. When light
peaks are used, they are preformed right after
the sunrise, at the very beginning of the cycle
(or at the beginning of a 24-hour light pro-
gram). They are then performed on a regular
basis, according to a user-defined timer.
When a light peak starts, the light intensity
increases from the standard intensity towards
the peak intensity over the
Peak Sunrise
delay.
The
Peak Intensity
is then maintained during
the
Peak Duration
and then the light intensity
gradually decreases during the
Peak Sunset
.
The next peak is performed at the end of
the
Peak Cycle
.
Light
Intensity
Peak
Intensity
Standard
Intensity
Minimum
Intensity
Start
Time
Sunrise
Stop
Time
Sunset
Peak Cycle
CYCLE 1
CYCLE 1
CYCLE 2 CYCLE 3 CYCLE 4 CYCLE 5 CYCLE 6
LIGHT PROGRAM
Peak
Sunrise
Peak
Sunset
Duration
Time
Light Cycles with Peaks
15
VLC-4 rev.02
VLC-4
6.6.
Current Conditions
This menu gives a quick view of the current
conditions in the house. it is automatically
selected after 5 minutes of inactivity.
1. Select the following menu items:
» CURRENT CONDITIONS
Current Conditions
Light Program
3
Animal Age
6
Intensity 0
2. The following information is displayed:
- Ongoing light program
- Current animal age (in days)
- Current light intensity (%).
6.7. Alarms
An alarm situation occurs when power to the
VLC-4 fails. In this case, the alarm relay is
activated. When the alarm relay is activated,
the normally open contact closes.
7.
ANIMAL AGE
The moment at which each light program
starts is based on the animal age. This sec-
tion shows how to set it.
1. Select the following menu items:
» ANIMAL AGE
Animal Age
Start Flock?
No
Animal Age
Off
2. The following information is displayed:
Start Flock? —
The animal age automati-
cally goes back to -5 day when a new flock
starts.
Negative day numbers represent the
number of days left before the animals
arrive in the building.
Animal Age —
Set the current age to the
proper value (from -5 to 450 days) or select
"Off" to stop the light programs.
