LED Monitoring
Monitoring of LED installations
In order to guarantee the lifespan of a LED installation, it is important that a LED installation is monitored real-time on various parameters. Monitoring the LED installation is performed by the MaNima Pollux.
Electronic monitoring
Electronic monitoring of an LED installation includes, for example, the measurement of currents, voltages, powers and PWM signals. The MaNima Pollux monitors both input and output parameters in real time. When the MaNima Pollux measures a parameter at the primary and/or secondary input and output that deviates from the preset value, the interface automatically switches to a configured mode (action).
Current and short circuit protection
During the monitoring of the electrical properties of an installation, the current changes are measured in real-time, so that deviations and irregularities can be quickly detected by the MaNima Pollux. In this way, the MaNima Pollux can intervene in time if necessary and the installation is protected against excessive peak currents and cost closures. These protections prevent collateral damage when malfunctions and deviations arise, for example due to maintenance, vandalism, natural damage, etc.
Temperature monitoring
In applications where extreme ambient temperatures can occur, it is advisable to monitor the temperature of the LED installation in real time. When exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures (eg -25 C° and +40 C° or higher), it is crucial for LED engines not to exceed the operating temperature. The MaNima Pollux can measure the temperature of both the LED engine and the housing. Using this real-time data, the Pollux can lower the maximum output voltage and/or current so that the maximum operating temperature of the LED engine is not exceeded.
Below is an image showing an assembled profile including a built-in NTC for temperature measurements.
Below is an image showing a Silicon LED Extrusion with a built-in NTC sensor:
This assembled fixture features a LED Engine with an embedded NTC on the PCB:
Benefits of monitoring
- Extends the life of the LED installation
- Increases the operational reliability of the installation
- Real-time monitoring of parameters
- Real-time adaptive LED controlling
- Short circuit protection on input and output (hardware moderate)
Example of a graph used for the setting life of the dimming curve in the MaNima Configurator:
Redundancy
With some LED installations, it is absolutely necessary that the LED fixtures continue to function at all times and operational reliability is important (traffic lights, warning lights, etc.). Redundancy of the LED installation can also be essential for hard-to-reach locations such as high buildings, bridges or under water. The MaNima Pollux has a primary and secondary power input, where it is possible to set one power supply redundant. These 2 inputs can therefore not only be used as individual channels, but also to guarantee system security. The secondary power supply takes over the task of the primary power supply in the event of a failure. A primary and secondary LED PCB can be installed in a LED fixture. When the primary LED PCB fails, the secondary LED PCB will turn on automatically. The MaNima Pollux itself is fail-safe because in addition to a software backup, there is also a hardware backup.
Advantages of redundancy
- No emergency maintenance necessary
- Less and more efficient maintenance
- Backup system both software and hardware based
- Increases the operational reliability of the installation
Delamination
Luminaires provided with a casting resin should also be monitored when it comes to heat management. This is because the housing and the casting resin have different coefficients of expansion (elongation and shrinkage). Because at high temperatures the difference becomes too great, there is a chance that the casting resin will come loose from the housing.
System integration
MaNima interfaces can be seamlessly integrated with existing systems using custom made APIs or standard UDP commands. There is also the possibility to read data from the MaNima Pollux on existing systems by means of UDP commands.
Cloud environment
MaNima Pollux can be connected to the MaNima Cloud, an M2M connection to the MaNima Cloud makes it possible to remotely monitor LED installations and read the parameters in real-time. In the event of malfunctions and/or calamities, the connection ensures that a message is sent to the malfunction technician. This message states what the malfunction means and where the malfunction is, so that the malfunction technician immediately knows where the problem lies. For more information about out industry 4.0 solutions, click here.
