Dimmers

Dimmers are a type of candlestick switch with the ability to smoothly adjust the intensity of lighting. Current models have many additional features. A typical dimmer turns and dims the light regardless of the type of lighting. Controlling the intensity of light sources can be done through manual operation at the location where the dimmers are mounted or remotely via remote control, audio or smartphone app. The dimmers adjust the brightness of the lighting to a decent intensity at the time or change its strength depending on the time of day or the weather outside. Using dimmers and programming lighting parameters directly affects the reduction of energy costs and increases the comfort of the premises.

Dimmers - application and types

Lighting control is currently possible through wall mounted dimmers. The construction of a standard device of this type allows its installation in existing networks and points, as well as in any newly built lighting electrical system. Multitude of designs and models allows to fit them to every type of room. They meet tightness and resistance standards appropriate for a given class of device. Dimmers in some variants of devices cooperating with intelligent house systems are installed in control cabinets together with other devices operating blinds, roller blinds, heating or ventilation drives. Traditional light dimmer turns on / off and dims the light in installations with 220V receivers. In various varieties, they also work in other voltage ranges and allow you to control LED light sources. Most often, however, they take the form of modular devices for installation in standard flush-mounted or surface-mounted boxes. This type of devices are offered by Schnider and Hager. The most popular types of lighting controllers for residential and office applications are:

• Universal push button dimmer - usually has two control panels. Its external surface is similar to that of a chandelier switch. One of the buttons turns on/off and dims the light, the other adjusts its intensity. Buttons are marked and have pictograms with symbols of individual functions or LED backlight.

• Rotary dimmers are usually manufactured in universal versions. The executive mechanism is a rotary potentiometer, they can control any source of light. A wide range of such solutions is offered by Kontakt Simon, Berker, Karlik or Ospel company. They work well in halogen installations and with standard bulbs.

• Touch dimmer is a type of push-button device. The control element is a touch sensor which, when touched and held, triggers the process of dimming or brightening light sources. It can be supplied in a traditional wall-mounted form or as a wired push button and portable device.

• Slide dimmers are most commonly found in the form of electrical wire-mounted devices. They are part of the electrical equipment that increases the comfort of portable lamps and aquarium lighting control. It allows you to turn off the lighting completely or increase it smoothly.

Additional capabilities of dimmers

In the past, controlling the intensity of the light and programming its operation was more difficult. This type of device relied on mechanical contacts and electrical resistors. Current dimmers are based on electronic components and printed circuit boards. The change of current parameters is performed electronically through circuits built into the device. It is possible to widely programme various additional functions and to control the brightness of lamps and any light source in any way. Regardless of the type of control, whether it is manual or remote change of current parameters, we obtain the expected and immediate result. Manual rotary and key dimmers are based on the principle of transformer operation. The control of light intensity in them is fluent on a scale from 0 to 100%, and the programming is done smoothly.

Many models of dimmers have additional functions, e.g. automatic switching off the light, they also have the option of informing about the expiry of the programmed time by switching off the light. A very useful function is full remote control of all processes. Dimmers themselves consume very little energy, and their use significantly reduces the complex consumption of electricity.