Poor color coding flying leads Marmitek AWM2
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 6:59 pm
The flying leads on the Marmitek AWM2 micro module are color coded in blue, brown and red. When installed properly, the external switch wil short the blue and the brown wire, which is <b>highly unusual</b>. Usually the lights go out when you short a blue wire with a brown wire ![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Now, the color coding of the blue wire is correct; It does carry the 0 volt level. But the brown wire <b>does not</b> carry the live level, <b>nor should it be connect to the live voltage</b>, in contrary to what one might expect. The brown wire carries a 5 volt DC detection signal that can be shortened to the 0 volt level by an external switch. This means you cannot connect the output of existing switche(s) to it because those <i>will</i> feed it with live voltage.
If you're using just one switch, hook it up as a potential free switch as directed in the manual. If you're using multiple cascaded switches (hotel circuitery), you may consider connecting the input of the cascade to the 0 volt wire, instead of the usual live voltage wire. This way, you <i>can</i> connect the output of the cascade to the brown wire of the module and all your switches will be able to operate the modele. Though it's still a strange idea: Connecting the 0 voltage wire to a brown wire to make the lights switch on...
<b>Warning</b>: Do you use the trick above on heavily loaded cirquits! A heavy load draws much current through the 0 wire, making it carry a voltage by itsself and thereby lifting the 0 volt level. I'm pretty sure the module cannot handle that. I'm <b>very</b> sure the module cannot handle live voltage on it's input wire (don't ask)![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
Now, the color coding of the blue wire is correct; It does carry the 0 volt level. But the brown wire <b>does not</b> carry the live level, <b>nor should it be connect to the live voltage</b>, in contrary to what one might expect. The brown wire carries a 5 volt DC detection signal that can be shortened to the 0 volt level by an external switch. This means you cannot connect the output of existing switche(s) to it because those <i>will</i> feed it with live voltage.
If you're using just one switch, hook it up as a potential free switch as directed in the manual. If you're using multiple cascaded switches (hotel circuitery), you may consider connecting the input of the cascade to the 0 volt wire, instead of the usual live voltage wire. This way, you <i>can</i> connect the output of the cascade to the brown wire of the module and all your switches will be able to operate the modele. Though it's still a strange idea: Connecting the 0 voltage wire to a brown wire to make the lights switch on...
<b>Warning</b>: Do you use the trick above on heavily loaded cirquits! A heavy load draws much current through the 0 wire, making it carry a voltage by itsself and thereby lifting the 0 volt level. I'm pretty sure the module cannot handle that. I'm <b>very</b> sure the module cannot handle live voltage on it's input wire (don't ask)
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)