Glossary
22
Radia Lighting Control System
Control Current
- The current used by a dimmer or switch to perform its function. Each Radia
Lighting controller supplies this current to its control ports and each Radia Lighting module uses
and requires this current in order to operate the dimmer or switch.
Control Port
- The four-pin connector on the Radia Lighting controller used for electrical control
of the dimmer (or switch) is called the Control Port. All modules connect to a control port to
operate. There is a maximum of six ports on the Central Controller.
Controller
- A Radia Lighting device capable of six channels of control, an AXlink connection,
PROlink connection, and a dry closure connection. A controller could also be the integrated
module.
This applies to Radia Lighting models RDC-DC/120, RDC-DC/240, RDC-DC/277, RDC-
PDC/120, RDC-PDC/240, RDD-DM4/120, RDD-DM4/240, RDD-DM4/277, RDD-DM6/120,
RDD-DM6/240, and the RDD-DM6/277.
Curve
- Used to match the channel level setting with the dimmer output. At a level of 50%,
different curves would cause different dimmer output voltages. A curve can be used to govern the
amount of dimming control relative to the level setting allowing for uniform dimming between
different loads.
Dimmer
- A device located in an enclosure that is capable of dimming a light or electric circuit.
Each dimmer is rated by Wattage and Voltage.
Electronic Transformer
- A transformer that reduces the voltage output when the primary voltage
of the transformer is reduced. This causes the secondary output of the transformer to reduce its
voltage through electronic means. Electronic transformers should be specifically designed for
standard dimming. Some electronic transformers are not dimmable or exhibit poor dimming
performance.
Enclosure
- The UL-approved box into which Radia Lighting control cards, modules, and
accessories are installed.
Fade
- A steady change in lighting levels expressed in seconds of time. A fade can encompass an
individual or group of dimmers. A preset can be set to fade into another preset where one or more
lights dim, increase in brightness, or stay at the same level.
Fade Rate
- The amount of time it takes to change from one preset to another, or from one level to
another, and is expressed in seconds.
FDB Ballast
- FDB ballast are made by Lutron Electronics. The ballast are controlled using a
switched hot and a dimmed hot in combination. An RDM-FDB module is one that dims FDB
ballast with an AC current using a solid state dimmer and a switched feed through a relay. Lutron
ECO-10 ballast are also controlled in the same manner.
Fluorescent Lights or Lamps
- A lamp that produces visible light by fluorescence (producing
light when acted upon by radiant energy). The lamp consists of a glass tube, the inner wall of
which is coated with a material that fluoresces when bombarded with secondary radiation
generated by a gaseous discharge within the tube. Control systems affect the ballast, not the lamp.
Halogen Lights or Lamps
- A halogen lamp is a type of incandescent light source that uses
halogen gas in an enclosed capsule. It uses the halogen regenerative cycle to prevent blackening of
the lamp envelope during life. Halogen lamps are dimmed using a standard incandescent dimmer.