Electronic Theatre Controls
Welcome to ETC's Online Community

KnowledgeBase: High Altitude Effects on Sensor and Unison Dimmers

Table of Contents

Page Details

First published by:
Kelsey Aleckson
on 06-19-2009
Last revision by:
Kelsey Aleckson
on 07-22-2009
1 person found this article useful.

100% of people found this useful
KnowledgeBase: High Altitude Effects on Sensor and Unison Dimmers This page is locked to prevent further edits

On ETC submittal drawings there is a line that states:

Dimmer rack generates approximately 4% of connected load as heat output.  Dimmer Room must have climate control.  Maintain between 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Centigrade) to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Centigrade), humidity between 30% and 95% non-condensing, and an altitude below 6500 feet (2000 meters).

As the air is less dense at higher altitudes, it can become more difficult to properly cool high-density dimming systems.  Dimming systems such as Unison dimmer racks or Sensor dimmer racks, installed in high-altitude environments and used under full load conditions should be maintained with a proper HVAC cooling budget dictated by dimmer efficiencies and BTU output.  As long as proper cooling is maintained, there will be no issues.  In addition, the dimmers are self-monitoring and will safely turn off if not enough cooling is available over time.

In the specific case of the Sensor CEM module, the normal setting for the airflow sensor was not efficient enough for high altitude installations and called for recalibration on site by a service technician. The CEM+ control module has been designed with a new more efficient air flow sensor and no longer requires the recalibration. If your installation will include classic Sensor racks with CEM modules, we will make sure the airflow sensor is properly calibrated for the altitude at the time of the system energization.

Recent Comments

Leave the first comment for this page.
Powered by Community Server (Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems