Fibaro - Dimmer 2 - FGD-212 - Light Dimmer, 230V

Introduction

In this article you will find everything you need to install and configure a Fibaro Dimmer 2 FGD-212 with Futurehome.

About Fibaro Dimmer 2

This dimmer can easily be installed behind existing light switches by an electrician. One dimmer controls one light zone via switch and via the Futurehome app, and it also works with several different types of light sources. In addition, it also measures power consumption and reports everything to the Futurehome Smarthub. FIBARO Dimmer 2 can operate a connected light source wirelessly or through a connected wall switch. It can be wired in a two- or three-wire configuration, allowing it to operate with or without a neutral wire. FIBARO Dimmer 2 is equipped with an algorithm for smart light source detection that makes configuration easier and ensures high compatibility with different types of light sources. The dimmer can be used as a switch with non-dimmable light sources (in a 3-wire configuration).

If the dimmer has a connected load with a power consumption of less than 50W, Fibaro Bypass 2 FGB-002 is required to function optimally. This will avoid flickering at low dimming strength and at the same time increase the dimming spectrum. You thus get a larger area to dim.

Danger of electrocution

In the worst case, improper connection of this device may result in fire or shock.

Installation must be done by certified electrician approved by the installer. Laws and regulations for installation in electrical installations must be followed.

The unit has current-carrying components when the load is switched off. All maintenance must be carried out on an isolated course.

Supported loads

Only supported loads according to the manufacturer's instructions may be used.

When connecting the Fibaro Dimmer 2, the following must be taken into consideration:

• Never connect higher loads than recommended.
• Never connect different light sources to the same dimmer at the same time.
• Do not connect the supply without a load connected.
• Never connect more than one transformer to the output level of the dimmer.
• When using a toroidal transformer, the dimmer's minimum level should be set to 50%
• Minimise the number of transformers on a course as these can introduce unnecessary noise to the dimmer which affects its functioning.

Fibaro Dimmer 2 uses the following operating modes for dimming its loads:

"Phase section" for resistive loads (R - Trailing edge dimming)
"Phase section" for resistive-capacitive loads (RC - Trailing edge dimming)
"Phase cut" for resistive-inductive loads (RL - Leading edge dimming)

When the dimmer is set up for dimming, it can control the following light sources:

• 230V conventional halogen and incandescent bulbs
• 12 V Halogen and LED bulbs with magnetic transformer
• 12V halogen lamps and dimmable LED bulbs (with electronic transformer)
• Dimmable LED bulbs
• Compact dimmable fluorescent lamps (CFL)
• Other dimmable light sources are supported (power factor 0.5) with a minimum current draw of 5VA with the use of Fibaro Bypass 2 (depends on the load).

FIBARO Dimmer 2 only supports compact fluorescent tubes that use an electronic ballast.

Recommended maximum current draw for the supported loads:

Supported loads:   220-240VAC
Resistive loads:   50-250W
Resistive-capacitive loads:   50-200VA
Resistive-inductive loads:   50-220VA

Connecting the dimmer

L – Phase leader
S1 – Switch 1 connection (also used for inclusion with Smarthub)
S2 - Connection for Switch 2
Sx – Connection for the supply of connected switch (L)
N – Neutral Conductor Connection
~ – Dimming output level
B – Function switch Used for inclusion/exclusion and navigation in the device's built-in function menu

NB

Technical data sheets for the light source should always be used to find the recommended dimming type, we still want to encourage that the standard connection is as with "2-wire connection" i.e. without the use of neutral conductor. This method of connection has proven to be best for lighting with LEDs, although there are exceptions.

Installation without N lead:

Installation with N lead:

Inclusion

You always start including the devices which are closest to the Smarthub and work your way up to build the network.

1. Turn on the voltage to the dimmer. If it is the first time it is powered, the dimmer will run an automatic calibration of the connected load. You can only start inclusion after the calibration is finished.
2. Open the Futurehome app, go to settings → devices → add a device → select z-wave. See more about adding devices here if necessary.
3. Select "force non-secure inclusion" and "include known devices faster". (If the device does not work as it should, you can try to include the device without "learn known devices faster" checked).
4. Quickly press 3 times within 1.5 seconds on the "B" button or connected switch on the S1 input.
5. “Device found, configuring” should appear.
6. The device will appear with 3 channels, use channel 1 and not channel 0. Channel 0 must be left without functionality. The device's channels are fine-tuned during advanced setup. See more about what the different channels are below.
7. Give the device a name, for example "Plafond light"
8. State in which room it is installed.
9. Save.

Device's channels

When including, a Fibaro Dimmer will appear with 3 channels:

• Channel 0 is the main device itself, here association, parameters and settings are set on the devices.
• Channel 1 is the dimmer itself, it is this channel that will be used in the app for controlling the dimmer.
• Channel 2 is the S2 input on the device. If you have a switch that is connected to S2, you will be able to use association to wirelessly control one or more other devices. In the future, you will also be able to use this input to set i.e. a shortcut.

Functional testing of dimmers

As soon as the dimmer is included in the system, you should quickly check if it behaves as it should. This is particularly important to verify that the automatic calibration has been carried out successfully. Turn the light on and off both with the switch and with the Futurehome application. Adjust the brightness from 0-100% a few times to see that the dimmer regulates the light in a nice way.

Calibration

Calibration takes place automatically the first time the dimmer is powered up or every time it is powered up when it is not included in the Smarthub. Also when excluding the dimmer the calibration will start.

Calibration automatically adjusts the upper and lower light levels (parameters 1 and 2). There is about a 10% chance that the dimmer will not be able to use automatic calibration, so then the settings must be set manually with a parameter.

One should always check the light bulb's instructions against the recommended operating mode of the dimmer. Some light bulbs deviate from the standard so sometimes you have to change the operating mode via parameter 30. If you change bulbs, tell e.g. from halogen to LED, the calibration process should be run again. Make sure the light is turned off when changing parameters.

How to force calibration

Calibration can be started in 3 different ways.

• Start calibration with a parameter: set parameter 13 to 1 (without Bypass) or 2 (with Bypass).
• Start calibration with a switch: 3x click and hold the light switch S1 (each click is held for 5 seconds).
• Start calibration with "B" function key.

If you have Fibaro Bypass 2 in the circuit, calibration must be started with method 1 or 3.

The result of the calibration will be indicated on the dimmer's LED indicator by glowing in one of the following ways:

• Green – Light source is identified as dimmable, dimming values are set and switch can be used to dim. Calibration completed.
• Yellow – The light source is identified as non-dimmable. The dimmer is used to turn the light on and off but cannot dim, the switch can be used to turn the light on and off but not dim. Calibration complete.
• Red – Calibration failed. Possible basis: No connected load, the load exceeds the maximum current draw, the calibration was interrupted by pressing a button.
• Flashing red - Calibration failed. Possible basis: Installation error or error on the load that activated overvoltage protection in the dimmer.

By changing parameter 13 to 1 or 2 (1 - without Fibaro Bypass, 2 - with Fibaro Bypass) the device will start the calibration cycle and will dim the light up and down. 

Available settings:
0 – reading
1 – start auto-calibration of the load without Fibaro Bypass 2 in the circuit
2 – start auto-calibration of the load with Fibaro Bypass 2 in the circuit

Default setting: 0

Parameter size: 1 [byte]

Deletion/exclusion

Sometimes you want to delete an included device or re-enter it. To delete the smoke sensor from your Smarthub, you must do the following:

1. Go to settings → devices → select your device → settings → navigate to the bottom and select delete.
2. Smarthub is now in exclusion mode.
3. Quickly press 3 times within 1.5 seconds on the "B" button or connected switch on the S1 input. The device will now be deleted from Smarthub.

Factory reset:

Option 1

1. Press and hold the B button to enter the menu on the device.
2. Wait until the LED lights up yellow (Approx. 14 seconds).
3. Release the B button and then quickly press it once again.
4. After a few seconds, the device resets and the LED lights up red to confirm it.
5. The device will now begin calibrating the light source.

Option 2

1. Start Z-Wave exclusion (settings → devices → remove device).
2. Smarthub now starts exclusion.
3. Press the B button or connected light switch 3 times within 1.5 seconds.

More information & Parameters

More information and a list of all parameters can be found here or in the user manual attached below.

• FGD-212-EN-T-v1.1.pdf500 KB