Juniper Multiverse Dimming Architecture and JA8 Reduced Flicker Compliance
Overview
Lighting designers and architects are increasingly asked about California Title 24 and JA8 requirements, which include rules to ensure that residential lighting delivers high-quality, comfortable illumination without visible flicker. In simple terms, JA8 sets performance standards for how smoothly a fixture dims and how stable its light output remains at low levels, especially when paired with modern controls.
To make this easy for specifiers, Juniper’s Multiverse spotlights and cylinders are engineered to meet these standards automatically: our drivers use a voltage-reduction method that produces clean, low-flicker dimming, and the fixtures’ onboard electronics refine this further to achieve exceptionally smooth 1% or 0.1% low-end dimming—all while fully complying with JA8 “Reduced Flicker Operation.”
This means designers can specify Juniper with confidence, knowing the system delivers premium visual comfort and meets strict code requirements without additional coordination.
Juniper’s remote power supplies provide two distinct output methods:
Voltage Reduction Output
– The driver reduces the LED supply voltage smoothly as the dimming signal decreases.
– Produces stable, low-flicker dimming without PWM modulation.
PWM Output
– The driver uses pulse-width modulation to dim the LED load by rapidly switching the output on and off.
– Used for products designed specifically for PWM-based control.
For all Multiverse® spotlights and cylinders, Juniper uses the voltage-reduction output mode, not PWM. The Multiverse LED engines then perform a second stage of dimming through on-board electronics to achieve one of two ultra-smooth low-end performance levels:
– 1% dimming
– 0.1% dimming
This two-stage approach allows Multiverse to achieve clean, stable, Title 24 JA8 compliant dimming.
Multiverse Dimming Methods
1% Dimming – Pure Analog CCR (Current Reduction)
Method:
– On-board Multiverse electronics use constant-current reduction (CCR) through the entire dimming range.
– Output is adjusted continuously without switching or PWM.
Effect:
– Exceptionally smooth dimming down to 1%.
– No visible flicker.
– No modulation artifacts.
0.1% Dimming – Hybrid CCR + High-Frequency PWM
Method:
– On-board electronics use hybrid dimming:
– CCR from 100% → ~6.25%
– High-frequency PWM (~1634 Hz) from ~6.25% → 0.1%
– CCR controls the majority of the curve; PWM is only used at the extreme low end to reach true 0.1%.
Effect:
– Ultra-deep dimming with smooth fade-to-dark behavior.
– High-frequency PWM is completely imperceptible to the human eye.
– Stable, artifact-free output at all dimming levels.
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JA8 “Reduced Flicker Operation” Compliance
California Title 24 JA8 requires:
1. Flicker Percentage ≤ 30%
2. Flicker Frequency ≥ 90 Hz
Both Multiverse dimming modes satisfy these requirements through different mechanisms.
1% CCR Dimming – JA8 Compliance
– CCR produces a continuous, unmodulated waveform.
– Flicker percentage: Extremely low (far below 30%).
– Flicker frequency: Effectively infinite (no switching).
Result:
Fully JA8 Reduced Flicker Operation compliant.
0.1% Hybrid Dimming – JA8 Compliance
– High-frequency PWM at ~1634 Hz is far above the 90 Hz threshold.
– Measured flicker percentage remains ≤ 30%, even at 0.1%.
– CCR portion provides inherently low flicker across most of the curve.
Result:
Fully JA8 Reduced Flicker Operation compliant, including at 0.1% low end.
Juniper’s power supplies offer both voltage-reduction and PWM outputs; Multiverse products use the voltage-reduction output, then apply on-board CCR or hybrid dimming to achieve 1% or 0.1% low-end levels. Both dimming methods—CCR-only and hybrid CCR/PWM—meet Title 24 JA8 Reduced Flicker Operation requirements by maintaining flicker percentage ≤ 30% and flicker frequency ≥ 90 Hz.