Channel Pairing

Certain Helvar devices including the 458/CTR8 Ballast Controller and the 474 DIN Rail 4 Channel Ballast Controller are capable of controlling a variety of loads (0–10  V, 1–10  V, DSI® A protocol used for the controlling of lighting in buildings. The technology uses a single byte to communicate the lighting level. DSI® (Digital Signal Interface) was the start of digital communication technology and the precursor to DALI. DSI® is a registerd trademark of Tridonic GmbH., DALI Stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. Standardised digital protocol for lighting control, allowing communication between control devices and LIUs (control gear). broadcast or PWM Stands for ‘Pulse Width Modulation’. PWM can be used to reduce the total amount of power delivered to a load, without losses normally incurred when a power source is limited by resistive means.) across a number of channels.

The ballast outputs are conventionally paired with high inrush relays on these units to offer a high level of user flexibility during setup of a lighting system A network of client PCs, routers, control devices, control gear, and lamps.

It is possible to configure the channels of certain controller units to run independent of, or paired with the relay outputs; meaning additional outputs can be utilized (via the relay outputs) if required. This is done by using the ‘channel pairing’ function during initial manual configuration of the device.

Channel Pairing can be divided into two categories, simple pairing (one to one) and complex pairing:

Simple Pairing

Simple pairing is the most conventional form of channel pairing. The output channels and relay channels are paired on a one to one basis. The channels of the device A physical item with which you can interact, either directly or via Designer. are paired in this way by default:

The 474 DIN Rail 4 Channel Ballast Controller and its pairing conventions.

As you will see from the diagram, there are four paired channels in this instance:

PAIR 1: Relay output 1 / Ballast output 1

PAIR 2: Relay output 2 / Ballast output 2

PAIR 3: Relay output 3 / Ballast output 3

PAIR 4: Relay output 4 / Ballast output 4

Complex Pairing

Complex pairing allows for a wider range of Channel Pairing options if required. Including:
 

- Assigning 2 relays to a single ballast output

- ‘Unpairing’ a relay altogether so it could be used as an extra output channel as required

- Pairing a ballast and relay in a nonstandard manner

Please see the diagram below for further information.

The 474 DIN Rail 4 Channel Ballast Controller with complex pairing  

The four paired channels are paired in the following manner:

PAIR 1: Ballast output 1 / Relay output 1 and Relay output 2

PAIR 2: Ballast output 2 / Relay output 3

Ballast output 3 - Operating without relay

PAIR 3: Ballast output 4 / Relay output 4

Channel Pairing and Designer

Currently it is not possible to configure channel pairing via Designer. Both simple and complex channel pairing must be set manually via the user interface and push buttons on the unit. For further channel pairing information please see the installation user guide supplied with your particular device.

In Designer, it is only possible to set the output mode for devices/channels with simple pairing configurations only. For more information, see DALI Control Gear Configuration.

If you are running a device/channel that uses a complex pairing configuration then the output mode must be set on the unit itself.  In Designer, when channels are paired in a complex way, the output mode will show  'Varies':

You will not be able to be change this setting to any other output modes via Designer, any attempt to change the output mode of a channel displaying  'Varies' will be rejected by Designer.

Related Topics

• DALI Control Gear Configuration

• 458/CTR8 Ballast Controller

• 474 DIN Rail 4 Channel Ballast Controller

• Ouput Mode