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Application Notes

Helpful articles that offer specific details about using Color Kinetics products in a particular (sometimes unusual) application or process.

A simple icon of a bookmark with a star near the bottom to represent a featured article A simple ribbon icon. It has a slightly rounded border and a star at the bottom of it. ​ High-Voltage DC Lighting: Weighing the Claims

Executive Summary. High-voltage DC distribution at 380V has re-emerged as a viable infrastructure approach for large-scale architectural LED lighting, driven by its potential to reduce energy convers…

A simple icon of a bookmark with a star near the bottom to represent a featured article A simple ribbon icon. It has a slightly rounded border and a star at the bottom of it. ​ Tech Tuesday

This is a series where we uncover our latest innovations for your inspiration.

Which Flex is right for your installation?

Direct-view LED lighting is one of the most creative disciplines in architectural lighting — and one of the most nuanced to specify. Node size, output, viewing distance and node spacing all play a ro…

Flex Compact Pro Control Channels

Understanding Flex Compact Pro output modes Flex Compact Pro's output depends on two factors: the configured control mode and the input data sent to the luminaire. Some control modes provide direct a…

Data Enabler Pro gen3 Status Indicator Functions

The eight status indicators that Data Enabler Pro gen3 features offers detailed information helpful in knowing how Data Enabler Pro gen3 is performing, and for troubleshooting issues that may arise.…

Status indicator lights for PDS-80 CK2 and CM-160 CK2

The PDS-80 CK2 24V and CM-160 CK2 24V each feature eight status indicators that give you an instant read on system performance and make troubleshooting fast and straightforward. Although the two prod…

The Trouble With Lumens

The way that lumen output is traditionally measured, reported, and interpreted poses a few potential problems for evaluating and comparing LED lighting luminaires.

Thermal protection and Color Kinetics luminaires

Thermal protection technology continuously monitors luminaires temperature, preventing overheating in extreme temperatures, preserving the luminaire and preventing failure.

Electrostatic Discharge and LED Luminaires

An ESD Mitigation Guide for Architectural LED Installations. Introduction. Electrostatic discharge is a leading cause of LED component failure in architectural installations, particularly in bridge a…

2-Phase Power and Color Kinetics Data Enabler Pro or Data Enabler Pro gen3

While single-phase power is significantly more common worldwide, two-phase wiring can be used to power Data Enabler Pro or Data Enabler Pro gen3. Data Enabler Pro or Data Enabler Pro gen3 and their c…

ColorGraze IntelliHue and Graze Elite Output Comparison Chart

Learn more about Graze Elite.

Color Kinetics narrow beam angle (<5°) photometric testing overview

Released: 13 December 2017 This document describes why Type A goniometers were chosen to measure lumen output of narrow beam luminaires instead of Type C goniometers, in conflict with LM-79-08 standards.

Color Kinetics Lumen Maintenance Statement

Released: January 30, 2010 Color Kinetics products use LEDs from suppliers who measure and certify lumen maintenance of their LED devices and modules in accordance with the approved methods defined in IES LM-80-08. Color Kinet…

Dimming of Essential White (eW) luminaires

Essential White (eW) luminaires are available with one of two forms of dimming capabilities: Precision/Digital Dimming or ELV Dimming. Precision/Digital Dimming. Luminaires identified as either Preci…

Dimming and control of IntelliWhite (iW) luminaires

All IntelliWhite (iW) luminaires (also referred to as Tunable White) are treated in the same schema that RGB Luminaires are addressed and configured, utilizing the Data Enabler Pro power/data device…

Dimming eW Powercore and eColor Powercore Luminaires

Released: April 2011 Abstract: eW Powercore and eColor Powercore luminaires are compatible only with certain ELV-type reverse-phase dimmers. This application note describes how to select a dimming so…

Color Kinetics Lighting Applications

Descriptions of lighting applications and links to Color Kinetics luminaires.

Connecting Multiple Controller Keypads to iPlayer 3 Serial Port

Released: 2008 Controller Keypad is a serial triggering device used to trigger shows stored on iPlayer 3. A maximum of four (4) Controller Keypads can be daisy‐chained in series and connected to a single iPlayer 3…

iPlayer 3 Firmware Update Procedure

Released: 2008 The iPlayer 3 firmware image is periodically updated to improve system performance and functionality. Visit the iPlayer 3 product page for the most recent firmware update. If your iPlayer 3 is not ru…

Cable Pinout information for RJ45 cables

Released: January 2005. See below for Color Kinetics cable pinout information for RJ45 to RJ45, RJ45 to XLR-5 and RL45 to XLR-3 connectors.

Vibration-prone environments and Color Kinetics products

Released: 13 October 2006 Introduction It is well documented that Color Kinetics fixtures are suited for vibration-prone environments. Virtually no electronic devices, however, are capable of withstanding accelerations exerte…

Ultraviolet and Infrared Emissions

Released: January 2005. Do your fixtures and lamps emit UV or IR radiation? Color Kinetics’ Solid State Lighting Products do not emit UV or IR radiation... The Visible Spectrum. The visible spectrum, the range of colors of…

LSE RS-232 Serial Protocol

Released: 2007 The LSE has an RS-232 serial port that allows for show selection and brightness control. Electrical The RS-232 serial port connection on LSE is a DB9M connector, labeled “IOIOI.” The pinout of the DB…

Synchronizing Multiple iPlayer 2s

Released: 10 June 2002 The iPlayer 2 has a built-in capability to interconnect with other iPlayer 2s to maintain both time and show selection synchronization. This application note describes how to use this capability. Ove…

Controlling an iPlayer 2 from a Lutron GRAFIK Eye System

Released: 13 December 2001 The Lutron GRAFIK Eye® 3000 and 4000 series control systems can provide limited control to the Color Kinetics iPlayer 2. This is done through the Lutron GRX-AV Contact Inter…

Controlling an iPlayer 2 from a Vantage Automation System

Released: 27 November 2001 The Color Kinetics iPlayer 2 can be easily interfaced to the Vantage Automation System ( www.vantagecontrols.com ) via an RS-232 serial connection. Through this interface the Vantage system can comma…

Controlling an iPlayer 2 from a Lutron Homeworks Interactive System

Released: 13 December 2001 The Color Kinetics iPlayer 2 can be easily interfaced to the Lutron (www.lutron.com) HomeWorks Interactive® (HWI) system via an RS-232 serial connection. Through this interface the HWI system can com…

iPlayer 2 RS-232 Serial Protocol

Released: 8 August 2001 The iPlayer 2 has an RS-232 serial port that allows for show selection and brightness control. The port is primarily intended for use by the Controller Keypad, but it can also be used by other extern…

Using the iPlayer 2 Expansion Port

Released: 29 October 2001 The iPlayer 2 has a 26-pin expansion port that allows dry contact switches to select between shows. This note explains how the expansion port is configured and how to use it properly. Expansion Port…

iW Translator RS-232 Serial Protocol

Released: 16 June 2005 One function of iW Translator is to interpret commands it receives on its RS-232 serial port and convert the commands into the appropriate signals on the Zone Control network. This function allows th…

eW™ MR Track Fixture Compatibility

Released 2007 The eW™ MR lamp has a form factor that differs slightly from a traditional MR16 and therefore, may not compatible with all track fixtures for standard MR16 lamps. This application note addresses fixt…

Custom Content Quick Start Guide - Luminous Textile

Besides using videos from our standard content portfolio it is also possible to upload your own dynamic video content with our Content Manager software. If you are creating content for Luminous Texti…

Graze Powercore Conduit Installation

Custom Configuration Graze Powercore Conduit luminaires have threaded openings on each end appropriate for junction box connections. The threaded openings accept 1/2 in NPT conduit and includes 1.8 m (6 ft) flying leads.
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