Wiring Modular Flourescent Lighting (4 Lamp Unit) with Emergency Backup

[cr0ft]

Hi folks. I would be most grateful if anyone can help me with wiring some modular 600x600mm lighting units in a hospital lab. I work domestically mainly and have little commercial experience. I have tried to pass the work to a commercial electrician today (so called) who took 2 and a half hours of head-scratching before he declared himself out.

The units are fitted with Tridonic EM34A Basic emergency lighting units and Helvar EL4 x 18SC dimmable ballasts.

The emergency unit wiring diagrams on the first link doesn't seem to indicate how to wire the unit up to a 4 lamp ballast such as the one I am fitting.

Can someone with more commercial experience than me (not hard) explain how the output side of the ballast is wired to the emergency lighting? Ideally using the wiring diagram (diagram 3 on page 30 of the second link).

Many thanks in advance for any help, I wish commercial lighting was as straightforward as domestic!!

 

[Manator]

If the existing cabling is dali then you could have some problems. You will need a 6 core or minimum 4 core between the lighting and the controls can be a nightmare.

 

[cr0ft]

Hi and thanks for your reply. The cabling supplying the light from the distribution board is standard twin and earth and with a 3-core flexible cable being used from the dimmer switch and lighting switches.

The cabling in the units themselves appears to be single core cable (single-insulated).

I've attached a photo which shows the cabling used inside the lighting units.

I have 2 lights to repair. I've managed to get one working but it won't dim (this is a faulty ballast and I will be replacing it on Friday. It's the one with the emergency lighting that is stuffing me. I can get 3 lamps going (all of them dim ok) but the 4th lamp won't come on. Tearing my hair out!!

 

[Steve3948]

Delete your attachment and re-upload, when you upload wait 30 seconds before leaving the upload page and then see if your pic shows up.

 

[cr0ft]

View attachment 3895

 

[Steve3948]

Nope, no pic.

 

[cr0ft]

That's weird, it's showing up on mine. Anyway, all the photo shows is that everything inside the lighting unit is wired in single core cabling. Not using DALI at all.

 

[Steve3948]

They can be confusing and my best advice would be to phone the manufacturer of the emergency pack, explaining your application.

I have done this many times over the years and speaking to the tech department always gets you on the correct path.

It's only a phone call and the benefits can solve all problems, give them a call.

 

[cr0ft]

Thanks, I will do just that.

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EM_BASIC and Helvar EL4x18sc Wiring Diagram

Hopefully this will help someone in the future. Great advice to call the manufacturer. Many thanks.