Intelligent Control Aspect
What are the intelligent products of MEAN WELL?
MEAN WELL intelligent products are those equipped with communication interfaces, parameters and functionality can be adjusted or changed via the interfaces. Take the RPB-1600, the intelligent battery charger as an example, users can easily adjust charge curves to deal with various types of batteries owing to its PMBus communication protocol. Mean Well divides the intelligent products into four sections: PMBus, CAN bus, DALI, DALI-2 and KNX. Please read the following for more information.
>> PMBus
PMBus stands for Power Management Bus, which is an open standard power-management protocol, featuring flexibility and highly versatile standard. Those intelligent products with the protocol are able to do parameter settings, such as output voltage/current, status reports, etc. The models are as below:
RCP-2000
RCP/RPB/RCB-1600
RSP-1600PM
DRP/DBR/DBU-3200
DPU-3200PM
PHP-3500
UHP-1500/2500
HEP-1000
HEP-2300PM
SHP-10KPM
CMU2C-P
>>CAN bus
The Controller Area Network bus is a serial communication bus designed for robust and flexible performance. Those intelligent products with the protocol are able to do parameter settings, such as output voltage/current, status reports, etc. The models are as below:
RSP/RCP/RPB/RCB-1600CN
DPU/DRP/DBU/DBR-3200CN
PHP-3500CN
UHP-1500CN/2500CN
HEP-1000CN
HEP-2300
SHP-10K
DRS-240CAN/480CAN
CMU2C-C
>>Modbus
Modbus is a data communications protocol that was originally designed for PLCs. There are many variants of Modbus protocols, MEAN WELL selected Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) with EIA-485 because of advantages of robust and flexible performance. Those intelligent products with the protocol are able to do parameter settings, such as output voltage/current, status reports, etc. The models are as below:
HEP-2300MOD
SHP-10KMOD
DRS-240/480
>>DALI
DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, a digital, internationally adopted language used to control lighting such as LED Drivers. Those products/drivers with the protocol are able to cooperate with DALI controller to form smart luminaires for interior use. The models are as below:
LCM-25DA/40DA/60DA
LCM-40UDA/60UDA
ELG-75CDA/100CDA/150CDA/200CDA/240CDA
ELG-75DA/100DA/150DA/200DA/240DA
HLG-320-CDA
HBG-100DA/160DA/200DA/240DA
HBC-100PDA/160PDA
HVGC-480ADA/650DA
ODLC-45DA/65DA
LDC-35DA/55DA/80DA
PWM-60DA/90DA/120DA
IDLC-45DA/65DA
IDPC-45DA/65DA
DAP-04
LDD-H-DA
>>DALI-2
DALI-2 is an updated version of DALI. The main difference for DALI-2 is that specification of electrical tolerances is more precise and it added new commands, such as extended fade-time, making fades from 0.1 seconds up to 16 minutes. DALI-2 products/drivers not only can work with DALI-2 application controllers and input devices, but also can be installed into DALI system. The models are as below:
LCM-25DA2/40DA2/60DA2
PWM-60DA2/90DA2/120DA2/200DA2
ELGC-300-L/M/H-ADA
HBGC-300-L/M/H-ADA
HVGC-1000-L/M/H-DA
LDC-55DA2
LCM-40TW
DLC-02
>>KNX
KNX is an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation. It controls all aspects of home and building control such as: lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation, blinds/ shutters. Those products/drivers with the protocol are able to cooperate with KNX controllers and switches to form small home network or being installed into smart commercial building. The models are as below:
LCM-25KN/40KN/60KN
PWM-60KN/120KN
KAA-8R(-10)
KAA-4R4V(-10)
KDA-64
KNX-40E-1280D
DLC-02KN
What solution and products does MEAN WELL provide for building automation?
For Building automation, MEAN WELL utilizes KNX as the solution. Please refer to the KNX building automation website for detailed information and relevant applications.
http://building.meanwell.com.tw/
What solution and products does MEAN WELL provide for wireless lighting control?
For wireless lighting control, MEAN WELL utilizes Bluetooth low energy Mesh. Currently, there are LCM-IOT and PWM-IOT series in the product line, which can be adopted in applications of constant current and constant voltage control. Please refer to the specifications for detailed information.
How many units can be controlled by CASAMBI app?
It is 125 nodes that can be controlled at a time by CASAMBI app.
What solution and products does MEAN WELL provide for industrial automation?
For industrial automation, MEAN WELL suggests using PMBus and CAN bus for digital control and monitoring. Please refer to the tech note link below for introduction and difference between the buses.
http://configurable.meanwell.com.tw/newsInfo.aspx?c=5&i=634
| Model / interface | PMBus | CAN bus |
|
RSP-1600/DPU-3200
UPH-1500/2500
|
By request | By request |
| RCP/RxB-1600 DRP-3200/DxB-3200 PHP-3500 HEP-1000 |
As standard | By request |
| RCP-2000 | As standard | X |
What is the difference between linear and logarithmic dimming curves in DALI?
The brightness increasing in a steady/linear rate isn't observed as a linear increase to the human eyes. It is light source whose dimming curve is in logarithmic mode shows a linear increase to the human eye. There are linear and logarithmic dimming curves selectable for users in DALI.
What is the maximum communication distance for Mean Well products equipped with CAN bus communication interface?
MEAN WELL's CAN bus products meet ISO 11898 and the bus rate is 250kbps. Max. communication distance is at least 150m for the products.
What is main difference between DALI-1 and DALI2? Is there any precaution before use?
DALI-2 is an upgraded version of DALI-1. DALI-2 has been adjusted and optimized for the following contents.
1. More precise specification of electrical tolerances and restructuring of specification make DALI-2 less risk for
malfunctions and increased data accuracy.
2. DALI-2 added 14 new commands/features and removed 1 command. The most important one is extended
fade time, the range is from 0.1 second to 16 minutes.
3. DALI-2 optimizes its communication sequence between application controller, input device and control gear,
allowing devices from different manufacturers to work together on the same DALI bus.
4. DALI-2 products must be fully certified by the DiiA Association before they are allowed to use the DALI-2
trademark.
DALI-1 and DALI-2 products can be used together. Compatibility issue is shown in the table below.
| Configuration | Description |
| DALI-2 application controller with DALI-1 control gears |
Compatible, but no DALI-2 new features in DALI-1 control gears |
| DALI-2 control gears installed into DALI-1 system | DALI-2 control gears are compatible with the system |
What is the maximum communication cable length for DALI/KNX/CAN bus/PMBus?
Please refer to the table.
| Interface | Length (m) | Cable |
| DALI | 300 | 1.5 mm^2 |
| KNX |
KNX power-KNX device : 350 KNX device-KNX device : 700 From – End : 1000 |
KNX cable |
| CAN bus | 150 | Normal communication cable |
| PMBus | 10 | Normal communication cable |
Where can I have the communication protocol for the products I want?
For models equipped with PMBus, such as RCP-1600, you can refer to the communication interface chapter in the user’s manual. For those recognized as optional (non-standard), such as RCP-1600-48CAN, please apply for it through your local distributor.
Why my DALI drivers cannot be addressed by a DALI master?
There are several reasons in the table:
| Possible Cause | Suggested Solution |
| There is no AC connected to the driver | Try again after power on |
| DALI communication line is off | Try again after connecting to the bus |
| Driver or controller is damaged | Contact the maker for repair |
If the problem still cannot be solved, please contact your local distributor or MEAN WELL for assistance.
There is communication problem in my PMBus/CAN bus devices, how can I solve it or improve it?
There are several reasons in the table.
| Possible Cause | Suggested Solution |
| Addressing error | Try again after re-addressing |
| Data rate error | Please set 100kHz for PMBus models and 250kbps for CAN bus models |
| The power is OFF | Try again after power on |
| The communication line is off | Try again after connecting to the bus |
| Noise interference | Add isolation IC before you MCU or controller to reduce noise |
If the problem still cannot be solved, please contact your local distributor or MEAN WELL for assistance.
What are the frequently asked questions for KNX products and where can I find them?
Mean well divided KNX problems into 3 aspects: ETS/Firmware, Application Aspect and KNX Data Secure. Please refer to the link below for detail.
https://building.meanwell.com/qa.aspx?c=9
How to increase communication reliability for CAN bus?
As differential signaling, adding termination resistors at the both far end of the bus can minimize signal reflection and then increase communication reliability for the interface. A suitable resistor is 120 ohms +/- 10 ohms with mini power rated of 220mw.
Why cannot the current to be adjusted to zero when using CANBus?
The parameters of current adjustment when using CANBus are actually for current limitation adjustment. You can recognize this function as the PC function what MEAN WELL implements for other industrial PSU.