Q&A
Control Units
Control Units
The total output power, is the sum total of power being output at the same time on channel 1 and channel 2, and it can reach a maximum of 28W (maximum power for each single channel also amounts to 28W).
QA No. 11-0036
What are the advantages of using a Strobe Control Unit?
A Strobe Control Unit can be used to control the duration of light emission from an LED Light Unit. The overdrive functionality enables the instant flow of large amounts of electric current, leading to brighter emission as compared with the use of Digital Control Units or Analog Control Unit. The high-speed response of the LED Light Units, and also the fact that the service life of these Units is not affected if they are turned ON and OFF frequently, makes them a better option for use. By turning ON and OFF the Unit as necessary, the generation of heat can be controlled, helping to increase the service life of the LED Light Unit.
QA No. 11-0035
Generally speaking, how should light units be managed when it is being used in manufacturing sites?
In regards to how to operate light units in a way that doesn't shorten service life, we provide the following advice.
Since LED service life shortens when they are used in high temperature conditions, we recommend that they be used in environments where heat is easily dissipated.
- ・During usage, please keep the dimming volume set as low as possible
- ・Please improve heat dissipation by such means as installing a fan or by supplying air to the location
- ・Another effective method is to only turn on lights during image capturing
QA No. 11-0033
If it is not possible to change the light unit itself, we recommend using the PTU2 Series over-drive specification strobe Control Unit.
However, since the maximum light-emitting time is 990μsec, it can only be used if the shutter speed is 1/1000 or higher.
QA No. 11-0032
While external control is set to ON, light unit brightness becomes unstable.
Unstable light unit brightness could be caused by the following factors.
- Long cable: Oscillation occurs in long cables, and this can affect the brightness of the light unit. Additionally, such cables are more susceptible to the effects of noise. At CCS, we recommend using cables with a length of 5m or less (for cables connecting light unit with the Control Unit), and cables with a length of 3m or less (for cables used for external control).
- Short light exposure time: For PWM control power supplies and strobe power supplies, in cases where light exposure time is 250μsec or lower, it is not possible to concentrate a sufficient amount of light in a stable manner. Please make sure light exposure time is 250μsec or higher during usage.
- LED element heat generation: The Vf value of the LED element is dependent upon temperature, and this affects brightness. Initially, when voltage is applied, the LED element is low in temperature, however, the longer that voltage continues to be applied, the hotter the LED element becomes, leading to a change in Vf value. Please use the product in an environment with a stable temperature.
If your issue is still unresolved, please contact one of our various sales offices.
By conducting an inquiry to determine such things as whether external control is being turned ON by dimming control or through ON/OFF control, whether frequency of occurrence varies randomly for each imaging operation, whether the direction in which variation occurs is random or if it tends to concentrate toward a brighter or darker direction of the unit, as well as the direction in which variation is occurring, etc., we will try our best to identify the root cause of the issue.
QA No. 11-0031
Why does CCS provide Control Unit Units with 12V and 24V outputs?
Most of our standard Light Units that emit red light operate on a 12V Control Unit, while those that emit white, blue, and green light operate on a 24V Control Unit. As compared with the emission of red light, LEDs require almost twice the voltage to emit light of other colors. If a Light Unit is used to radiate light of all colors with only a 12V input, the number of internal circuits would have to be doubled to provide white, blue, and green light. Instead of putting an added load on the Lighting Unit, the stability of quality and performance is given higher priority, and therefore different types of Control Unit Units are made available.
What is the difference between a Digital Control Unit Unit and an Analog Control Unit Unit?
In a Digital Control Unit Unit (such as a PD2-series Unit), the light intensity is controlled with pulse width modulation (PWM). The brightness can be adjusted by changing the width of the pulse light emission. The characteristics of a Digital Control Unit Unit include linear light intensity adjustment and high repeatability. In an Analog Control Unit Unit (such as a PSB-series Unit), the light intensity is adjusted through voltage control. These Units are ideal for use with cameras having a shutter speed of 1/4000 or higher because the variation in brightness can be controlled during photography.
The variation in brightness occurs because of the camera shutter timing and PWM cycle are not synchronized. In such cases, CCS recommends the use of Strobe Control Unit Units (PTU2-series Units) that can emit light synchronized with the shutter timing of the camera.
What are the benefits of using a strobe Control Unit?
By using a strobe Control Unit, it is possible to control the light-emitting time of an LED light unit. Additionally, using its over-drive feature, it becomes possible to momentarily pass large amounts of current through it, allowing the light unit to emit light that is brighter than when using digital power supplies or analog power supplies. LED light units are well suited for switching, and as their response time is high, it is possible to make use of this characteristic. Furthermore, heat generation caused by light unit control is suppressed, making it possible to extend the service life of the light unit.