Trim Settings (High and Low End)
Video Tutorial: Watch the companion video V45: Trim Settings (High and Low End) for a visual walkthrough.
Overview
Trim settings define the operating range of your lights. High-end trim limits maximum output, low-end trim sets the minimum dimming level, and daylight harvesting minimum dim controls how low sensors can automatically dim. Understanding how each setting behaves in the app is essential for effective configuration.
Understanding Trim Behavior
High-End Trim: The Invisible Ceiling
High-end trim operates as a hidden maximum cap that doesn't display in the UI once set.
| What You Set | What UI Shows | Actual Output |
|---|---|---|
| High-end trim: 80% | — | — |
| Later set light to 100% | 100% | 80% |
| Later set light to 50% | 50% | 40% |
Key behavior: Users believe they're at "full brightness" when requesting 100%, but the system silently caps output at the trim level. This is intentional—occupants maintain full control without feeling restricted, while the facility benefits from reduced energy consumption.
Benefits: - Reduces energy consumption without user awareness - Extends fixture and driver life - Matches light output to space requirements - Users retain sense of full control
Low-End Trim: The Visible Floor
Low-end trim actively enforces and displays the minimum level in the UI.
| What You Set | What User Requests | What UI Shows | Actual Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-end trim: 10% | — | — | — |
| — | 7% | 10% | 10% |
| — | 15% | 15% | 15% |
Key behavior: The UI "snaps" to the low-end trim value when a user attempts to go below it, providing clear feedback that they've reached the minimum.
Benefits: - Prevents flickering at low levels - Maintains minimum safety lighting - Improves dimming quality on some drivers - Provides clear user feedback
Daylight Harvesting Min Dim
The lowest level daylight harvesting can dim to in auto mode.
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| = Low trim | Uses low-end trim value |
| 20% | Won't dim below 20% in auto mode |
| 30% | Won't dim below 30% in auto mode |
Controller Voltage Behavior (0-10V Protocol)
For compatibility with control systems, the controller maintains a minimum voltage output:
| User Request | Controller Output | UI Display |
|---|---|---|
| 6% | ~0.6V | 6% |
| 5% | 0.6V (floor) | 5% |
| 3% | 0.6V (floor) | 3% |
| 1% | 0.6V (floor) | 1% |
What this means: Below 6%, the controller maintains a 0.6V minimum for hardware stability, but the UI continues to show the user's requested value. This creates a small discrepancy zone where displayed percentage doesn't match actual voltage output.
Trim Behavior Comparison
| Characteristic | High-End Trim | Low-End Trim |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility in UI | Hidden after setting | Actively displayed |
| User awareness | Users don't see the cap | Users see the enforced floor |
| When 100% is requested | Shows 100%, outputs trim value | N/A |
| When below minimum requested | N/A | UI snaps to trim value |
| Primary purpose | Silent energy savings | Prevent accidental off/instability |
| Recommended setting | Based on space needs (60-80% typical) and fixture output |
Accessing Trim Settings
- Navigate to More page.
- Tap Trim Settings.
- Select Lights or Groups tab.
- Choose specific lights or groups to adjust.
Setting High-End Trim
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select the light or group.
- Adjust the high-end trim slider.
- Tap Send to apply.
Recommended Values
| Application | High-End Trim |
|---|---|
| Aggressive energy savings | 60-70% |
| Standard energy savings | 70-80% |
| Moderate savings | 80-90% |
| No limitation | 100% |
Important: Update Wattage
Always set trim before entering the full fixture wattage. This will cause the app to recalculate effective maximum wattage based on the high-end trim derating.
Setting Low-End Trim
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select the light or group.
- Adjust the low-end trim slider.
- Tap Send to apply.
Recommended Values
If a fixture turns off when you dim below a certain threshold, set the minimum dim level above this level so that users don't turn the light off when they are trying to dim to the lowest value.
| Scenario | Low-End Trim |
|---|---|
| Smooth-dimming drivers (tested) | 1% or Leave Unset |
| Standard installations | 6%-10% based on fixture testing |
| Flicker prevention | 15-20% |
| Safety minimum required | 20%+ |
Setting DLH Minimum Dim
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select the light or group.
- Adjust the daylight min dim slider.
- Tap Send to apply.
Important Notes
| Note | Details |
|---|---|
| High trim invisible | Once set, high-end trim doesn't display—UI shows requested value, not actual output |
| Low trim visible | UI actively shows and enforces low-end trim minimum |
| Display values | Trim Settings page shows what you're sending, not current fixture values |
| Apply required | Must tap "Send" for changes to take effect |
| Wattage update | Update rated wattage after high-end trim for accurate energy data |
| 11% recommended | Use 11% low-end trim to prevent accidental off states |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Lights turning off when dimming low | Low-end trim at 10% | Increase to 11% |
| Lights not dimming low enough | Low-end trim too high | Lower the low-end trim (test first) |
| Lights flickering at low levels | Low-end trim too low for driver | Increase low-end trim to 15-20% |
| Expecting brighter output | High-end trim limiting output | Check/adjust high-end trim |
| DLH not dimming as expected | Min dim too high | Lower DLH min dim |
| Energy data inaccurate | Wattage not updated after high trim | Update rated wattage |
Quick Reference
| Action | Steps |
|---|---|
| Access trim | More → Trim Settings |
| Set high trim | Select → Adjust slider → Send |
| Set low trim | Select → Adjust slider → Send |
| Set DLH min | Select → Adjust slider → Send |
Related Articles
Based on Keilton+autani App User Guide v9.7