Dimmer and Bypass(es)

[naboo 5]

Quick question:

when there are 5 LED bulbs (230V) in a circuit which are to be controlled by one dimmer module do I need to buy bypass for each bulb?

 

TIA

[sve 1]

That depends on the power that you use... In my opinion it's best to give it a try without. If the lights flicker or won't turn off completely you can always order the bypass.

[naboo 5]

hmm, I started thinking about Qubino dimmer now which doesn't need any bypasses

maybe will give it a try

[petergebruers 1,268]

Please take note that qubino only supports 3-wire setup. Fibaro supports 2-wire, but you may need the Fibaro bypass. Success not 100% guaranteed... LED & CFL on dimmer = tricky.

[naboo 5]

I'm not that electric savvy and have three wires indeed but in stairs configuration (two switches)

does this mean I would be able to install Qubino dimmer? how will it be possible? any diagram?

 

(I've been looking at qubino dimmer manual but there is no diagram for this configuration there)

[petergebruers 1,268]

I'm delighted that you read the manual... You probably thought "geez, there's a lot more to it than you first thought". :-> Ok, to make sure no accidents happen, I strongly advise to make a detailed drawing of the present situation. What colors do the wires have? Check if they are "Live" or "Neutral" (or... L1 and L2 as in my case). And how they run through the tubes. I have an old house, and I frequently had to check wires and label them like L1 and L2, X , Y or Z to distinguish them. How are the switches exactly connected. Then also note that the dimmer only works with push button switches (monostable). The trick for multiple buttons (like one downstairs and one upstairs) is that you put the controlling switches in parallel. To get there, you'll probably have to repurpose the existing wiring. Maybe you even have to add a wire. If you have a diagram I can always have a look at at (via forum or PM if you prefer). There are alternatives, like a Aeon Minimote (working), or Zwave.me switches you can glue on a surface (but they don't work wit V4 yet).

 

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[naboo 5]

this is what I was referring to (schema for connecting Fibaro dimmer):

 

 

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so three wires setup, two bi-stabile switches

the thing you said about monostabile switches makes me concerned

manual clearly says qubino can work with either mono-stable or bi-stable switches - this is being controlled by Param1

[petergebruers 1,268]

That's a 2-wire setup, meaning O and N tied together. Please have a look at the schematics in this manual:

 

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The switches are usually mono-stable (push button) with a dimmer... I have never tried to control a dimmer with a on/off switch. Seems rather odd.

 

Look at the parameters section of the Fibaro, it can use bi-stable and even 3-way = like roller shutters (mid position, push top for up, push other side for down).

 

S2 doesn't control your dimmer, only S1 does (unless a parameter is set to use a 3-way switch on S1 + S2). But if you use mono-stable switches, you can put them in parallel on S1.

 

Have a look at: 

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Cheers!

[petergebruers 1,268]

Quick question:

when there are 5 LED bulbs (230V) in a circuit which are to be controlled by one dimmer module do I need to buy bypass for each bulb?

 

TIA

I suddenly realized that I did not answer this question. Here's an edit of what I posted in another topic:

No, one bypass per dimmer.

If you have flashing lights (stroboscopic effect) or glowing LED when dimmer is off, I'm 99% sure a bypass (the correct bypass!) will suppress that. It also depends on the lamp type and total amount of watt. There is a small current flowing through the lamp, and that can charge the supply of the lamp just enough to start working. The "bypass" actually quenches the voltage of the lamp "at rest", so it cannot start it's supply. I've tested 15 different types CFL/LED and I needed the bypass in three cases. One older CFL, non-dimmable, one older LED and one recent (Philips Warm Glow) that glows with 3 bulbs in parallel = 9 Watt * 3 (below recommended Watt)

Without bypass, Fibaro recommends loads > 50 VA (to assure it is functioning in 2-wire setup and suppress strobo/glow, but I have not tested that amount of LEDs!)

So when you say 5 bulbs, and I assume they are "7 Watt" you will by somewhat below the 50 VA recommendation. But it depends on the bulb type too.

It is in the manual:

FIBARO Bypass 2 (FGB-002) is a device designed to work with FIBARO Dimmer 2 (FGD-212). It should be used in case of connecting lED bulbs or energy saving compact fluorescent lamps. FIBARO Bypass 2 prevents flickering of the lED lights and glowing of the turned off compact fluorescent lamps.

In the case of 2-wire connection, FIBARO Bypass 2 allows to reduce minimum power of load required by the Dimmer 2 for correct operation. FGB-002 provides powering of the Dimmer 2 in case of controlling the low loads of minimum power down to 5VA (for cosφ>0.5).