In a lighting device, such a detail as a dimmer is often used. The device can be used in electrics when creating a lighting scheme in industrial facilities, in retail, office and residential premises. The main task is to change the parameters of the light.
About the device
To understand what a dimer is in electrical engineering, you need to look at the origin of the word: dim in English means "dim". The element regulates the electrical power in the network, making the brightness higher or lower. Another common product name is dimmer.
There are models designed for LED, halogen and incandescent light sources. Modern dimmers differ in design, installation method, type of adjustment and other parameters.
Development history
In the 19th century, Johann Poggendorf, a German scientist, invented a variable type resistor, or rheostat: a device designed to change the current and voltage in an electrical circuit by adjusting the resistance. Such a resistor can be considered the first kind of dimmer for changing light: to lower the brightness, you need to reduce the voltage. The downside of the design is increased heating and a low level of efficiency.
Already in the XX century, autotransformers were developed: they are distinguished by an increased efficiency, a stable voltage in the entire range. Nevertheless, these devices are of considerable size and weight, and are expensive. The most practical solution is electronic dimmers: they are compact, easy to operate and reliable. It is this variety that is most widespread. A popular design option is a switch equipped with a dimmer. Such a device is versatile and has a wide range of applications.
Scope of use
The use of dimmers is very widespread:
- living quarters where it is required to dim the light bulbs at certain times (for example, a bedroom, a children's room);
- technical and commercial rooms, in which the lights are not turned off at night, but the degree of illumination is reduced, putting the system into an energy-saving mode;
- rooms where a change in the luminous flux allows you to focus on an object, zone a room, visually expand or, conversely, reduce free space.
Modern automatic dimmers are often used when organizing social and personal events. They are indispensable in the arrangement of lighting for clubs, concert venues, exhibitions.
Operating principle
- for compact fluorescent lamps and low voltage devices, electromagnetic transformers with leading edge control are used;
- for halogen and LED lamps, electronic regulators with a voltage change along the trailing edge are used.
In addition, the dimmer circuit includes components that protect the fixture from overheating and damage from short circuits.To reduce electromagnetic distortion, the system is supplemented with capacitive inductive filters or a special choke is connected.
Pros and cons of the fixture
The dimmer has many advantages:
- automatic operation, self-shutdown;
- the ability to adjust the light parameters via a radio channel, by means of a noise effect (for example, cotton), by voice, using infrared radiation;
- Compatible with various lamps: white light devices and colored LEDs;
- protection of light bulbs from burnout during power surges in the network;
- the ability to simulate the presence of the owners of a house or apartment, which helps to protect the property from unauthorized entry;
- effective use in the creation of color music.
However, dimmers also have disadvantages. These include the following nuances:
- the risk of electromagnetic interference;
- nonlinear dependence of the output voltage characteristics;
- some lamps, for example, those that are connected through ballasts, do not work with dimmers;
- non-sinusoidal output voltage waveform;
- low efficiency in contact with incandescent bulbs.
Most of the disadvantages can be eliminated by choosing the right lamps and not using step-down transformers.
Classification
There are many options for the execution of dimmers, which may differ in the following technical parameters:
- Adjustment type. According to this criterion, dimmers are divided into mechanical, sensory, acoustic and remote. The first type works by turning a knob or pressing a button, the second is equipped with a touch panel. Acoustic regulators are voice controlled, they are often made an element of the Smart House system. Remote models operate from the remote control.
- Case execution. It can be modular, block and monoblock. In the first case, the dimmer is mounted in the electrical distribution board, in the second, the switch with the dimmer is combined, and in the third, it is installed to break the phase.
- Control method. Key controls are equipped with a button, holding which in one position allows you to set the desired type of lighting. Rotary-push models are equipped with a handle. When it is required to decrease or increase the brightness, the handle is slightly recessed in the socket and rotated. There are also simple rotary dimmers, controlled by rotating the handle.
- Type of connected lamps. On sale you can find dimmers for halogen, LED and incandescent lamps.
Not only the scope of operation depends on the type of device. Design features directly affect the price.
Rules for choosing a dimer for home
Before ordering such a device, you need to consider the following parameters:
- the type of bulbs with which the models in question are compatible;
- power consumption: it is better to take the product with a margin of 25-40% in order to protect the equipment from burnout;
- case and installation option: can be open or hidden;
- control method: remote and acoustic dimmers are the most convenient, but they are more expensive than mechanical devices;
- cost of equipment.
When choosing a dimmer dimmer, you need to pay attention to the country of production. The highest quality devices are produced in Europe and the USA. Chinese counterparts are cheaper, but their reliability is not so high.
