Fibaro Dimmer 2 - technical - how well is it built?

[TimJWatts 4]

2 questions:

 

1) Does it have reasonable debounce handing on the switch inputs? ie will it work happily with an MK momentary pull cord switch like this: 

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A lot of dimmers with "remote" inputs insist on "nice" push buttons with gold flashed contacts etc etc.

Just wondering if this was tolerant of "ordinary switches".

 

 

2) It is safe - does it contain a thermal fuse and overload protection. Or will it catch fire if it sees an overload from a failed lamp, under voltage from a problem with the mains outside and so on?

 

This is a serious and non flippant question. I'd like to fit a few in my attic near the junction boxes for the circuits they are controlling - obviously housing the modules in an adaptable plastic box.

 

So I'd like to know if they fail nicely if they are going to fail.

[Igy 23]

1. I think that you can use any type of switch with this dimmer. If you use momentary switch, you should be able to do the short clicks to be able to control all the features of dimmer (e.g. double click for full power). 

2. Dimmer 2 has a lot of protection inside:

 

Parameter 45 OVERLOAD alarm report (load power consumption too high)

 

Parameter 46LOAD ERROR alarm report (no load, load failure, burnt out bulb)

 

Parameter 47OVERCURRENT alarm report (short circuit, burnt out bulb causing overcurrent)

 

Parameter 48SURGE alarm report (Dimmer output overvoltage)

 

 

Parameter 49OVERHEAT (critical temperature) and VOLTAGE DROP (low voltage) alarm report

[TimJWatts 4]

1. I think that you can use any type of switch with this dimmer. If you use momentary switch, you should be able to do the short clicks to be able to control all the features of dimmer (e.g. double click for full power). 

2. Dimmer 2 has a lot of protection inside:

 

Parameter 45 OVERLOAD alarm report (load power consumption too high)

 

Parameter 46LOAD ERROR alarm report (no load, load failure, burnt out bulb)

 

Parameter 47OVERCURRENT alarm report (short circuit, burnt out bulb causing overcurrent)

 

Parameter 48SURGE alarm report (Dimmer output overvoltage)

 

 

Parameter 49OVERHEAT (critical temperature) and VOLTAGE DROP (low voltage) alarm report

 

Thanks Igy,

 

I think whether the module is upset by switch bounce may just have to be tested - I should get one and evaluate it, also whether it really can drive various LED lamps nicely as claimed.

 

The other is interesting - so clearly it has sensors.

 

But will it shut itself down and/or limit the overload current and does it contain a thermal fuse for worst case scenarios?

 

 

I need to mount this in the attic - it will already be on Euroclass B fire resistant board or plasterboard - I am debating whether to house the device in a plastic adaptable box or a metal box with the antenna wire poking out into  a short stub of plastic conduit.

 

 

I am extremely cautious as any form of mains powered electronics can go bang (I take the same precautions with SELV PSUs too) - but I am trying to get a feel for whether these have comprehensive safety features like thermal fuses built in. Guess I could open one up, assuming they are not potted. 

[Joacim 11]

2) It is safe - does it contain a thermal fuse and overload protection. Or will it catch fire if it sees an overload from a failed lamp, under voltage from a problem with the mains outside and so on?

Dimmer 1 did not comply with CE according to Swedish electrical regulatory board. And got a sales ban but no recalls from Swedish and norwegan markets.

Let's put it like this; If dimmer 2 does not comply with CE even though there is a certificate from an independent validation firm and Fibaro where cough. They would go bust because this time there will be a recall from the entire EU market.

I think it would be safe to say that this time their dimmer is at least as safe as any other dimmer unit that complies with CE.

[petergebruers 1,268]

I have tested it with 15 different lamp types.

I also tested its debounce. It does have sufficient filtering on it's input. I use it with "ordinary" 10 A (impuls) switches. I have 5 dimmer 1 and 2 dimmer 2 in daily use, never had bounce problems.

I think you are the first person to ask about debounce... Do you have a particular reason to bring this up?

[petergebruers 1,268]

I have tested the FGD-212 for overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent and a non-compliant load. I did not test over-temp condition, it's an interesting question. Hmm. Where is my torch? This dimmer is not TRIAC based, it uses a fast electronic switch. It can respond to faults very fast. In fact, when you try with a load that's too high, you won't notice it turns on and off.

[TimJWatts 4]

I have tested it with 15 different lamp types.

I also tested its debounce. It does have sufficient filtering on it's input. I use it with "ordinary" 10 A (impuls) switches. I have 5 dimmer 1 and 2 dimmer 2 in daily use, never had bounce problems.

I think you are the first person to ask about debounce... Do you have a particular reason to bring this up?

 

Hi Peter,

 

Yes - I imagine a momentary pull cord ceiling switch (made by MK, normally used for disabled alarms - red cord) would be extremely bouncy.

 

Also, I've had experience of certain dimmers with remote inputs that stipulate low bounce gold flashed contacts which suggests they are not well filtered.

 

Thank you for sharing your experiences

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[TimJWatts 4]

I have tested the FGD-212 for overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent and a non-compliant load. I did not test over-temp condition, it's an interesting question. Hmm. Where is my torch? This dimmer is not TRIAC based, it uses a fast electronic switch. It can respond to faults very fast. In fact, when you try with a load that's too high, you won't notice it turns on and off.

 

Thanks Peter - that is very reassuring. I also assumed it would not use a triac as it can do trailing edge dimming.

[TimJWatts 4]

Dimmer 1 did not comply with CE according to Swedish electrical regulatory board. And got a sales ban but no recalls from Swedish and norwegan markets.

Let's put it like this; If dimmer 2 does not comply with CE even though there is a certificate from an independent validation firm and Fibaro where cough. They would go bust because this time there will be a recall from the entire EU market.

I think it would be safe to say that this time their dimmer is at least as safe as any other dimmer unit that complies with CE.

 

Hi Joacim,

 

That's interesting. I'd only heard about one of the switches (not dimmers) that was banned.