Dimmer doubling uses the ability of a SCR dimmer to separately control the top and bottom halves of the voltage waveform. A dimmer doubler uses a high power diode arrangement to split the output of the dimmer into two halves, controlling two separate channels. This allows a single power cable to control two lights, but special 77V lamps must be used.

ETC's Source Four fixtures have a keying pin arrangement to prevent 77V lamps being accidentally inserted into 110V or 230V fixtures. Dimmer Doubled circuits typically use NEMA L5-15P connectors to differentiate them from 110V stage circuits.

Dimmer doubling is only supported on US (110V 60Hz) power types.

Note that Dimmer Doubling is configured differently with Sensor and Unison. With Sensor, the "B" side of the dimmer is always controlled by the "A" or "Normal" DMX512 level + 256 (i.e. if Dimmer 4A is controlled by DMX512 address 4, Dimmer 4B would be controlled by DMX512 address 260). With Unison, the user can select the DMX512 address for each "A" and "B" side. The default "B" address in Unison is the address that Sensor uses.

Note: The article below was published in 1996. With the release of Sensor 3.x CEM software, multiplexing is now known as dimmer doubling.

ETC MULTIPLEX DIMMING TECHNOLOGY

ETC's Multiplex dimming technology allows you to increase the number of fixtures and dimmers in your dimming system without adding dimmer modules or running additional cable. The key to Multiplexing is the Multiplexer.

The Multiplexer is installed between a Sensor dimmer module and two (or four) ETC Source Four 77 volt fixtures. It splits the output of this single dimmer into two separately controlled outputs. You can then use an ETC control console (or any other typeof console equipped with an electronic patch and DMX protocol) to independently control the output of the two fixtures.

To take advantage of the benefits of ETC Multiplex dimming technology, the following elements are required:

Source Four Fixtures with UL Listed connectors and HPL 550 watt, 77 volt lamps

Multiplexers with UL Listed input and output connectors

Sensor dimming equipment with CEM electronics

Control Console with electronic patch and a minimum of one DMX512 output.

Note: Each DMX512 output can control 256 dimmers operating as 512 multiplexed channels. Systems with more than 256 dimmers must have at least two DMX512 outputs in both the rack and the console.

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about ETC Multiplex Dimming Technology.

Question: Can a standard D20 dimmer double, or is a special module needed? Answer:A standard D20 iswhat is need in the rack to dimmer double. (In fact you can use D20, D20E, D20AF, and D20HR there are many others module types as well)

Question: Can I accidentally plug a 77 volt Source Four into a 120 volt circuit? Answer: No. Any Source Four configured for multiplexing is supplied with a specific connector, as indicated in the UL listing for Multiplexers and Source Fours as an integrated system. The required connector cannot be mated with standard theatrical connectors.

Question: Will the 550 watt, 77 volt HPL lamp provide the same light output in a Source Four as the 575 watt, 115 volt HPL lamp? Answer: Yes. The filament of the 77 volt HPL lamp has slightly increased surface area, emitting more lumens per watt than the 115 volt lamp, so equivalent lumen output and equal performance can be achieved with 25 fewer watts.

Question: The National Electrical Code specifies that different connectors be used for different voltages. How is this handled when using Multiplex Technology? Answer: In compliance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, multiplexed Source Fours and the output pigtails on the Multiplexer are equipped with grounded, 15 amp Twistlock NEMA L5-15 series connectors. This is in contrast to the 20 amp connectors supplied as standard for theatrical luminaires and dimmed outlets.

Question: Can I inadvertently plug a 77 volt HPL lamp into a standard Source Four or any other line voltage spotlight? Answer: No. The 77 volt version of the HPL lamp has a third pin on the lamp base to prevent it from being installed in a standard line voltage fixture. The lamp cap of a multiplexed Source Four is designed to accept the additional pin.

Question: Does Multiplexing produce DC current and is arcing a problem? Answer: No. The current produced by multiplexing is actually halfwave AC. The voltage still returns to zero every half cycle and eliminates any arcing problem that normal DC would have.

Question: Can I use an inductive load (e.g.: transformers) on a circuit that is multiplexed? Answer: No. The halfwave AC generated by the dimmer could overheat a transformer if left on for an extended period of time. A similar condition occurs if one of the SCR's in any non-multiplexed dimmer was to fail in an off state. For this reason, care should always be taken when using inductive loads on any SCR based dimmer.

Question: Should I be concerned about overloading the feed or supply transformer when using Multiplexing technology? Answer: No, except in rare cases. Just as attention must be paid to balancing loads across phases, care must be used to insure that the total load on either the "A" or "B" outputs (of the Multiplexers) does not exceed one half the rating of the dimmer. As long as this is done, a multiplexing system puts no more burden on the transformer than an ordinary SCR dimming system.

Question: Will Multiplexing create additional harmonics in the system? Answer: No. The total harmonic content while using Multiplex mode is no worse than using normal SCR dimmer firing modes.

Question: Can I accidentally switch a dimmer to Multiplex mode? Answer: To minimize the chances of this occurring, a number of steps are required to configure a dimmer for multiplexing at the Sensor dimmer rack. Each action requires operator confirmation, and dimmer status is clearly displayed at all times during setup.