Dimmers are electronic devices used to vary the brightness of lights by controlling the power delivered to lighting loads.
Common Types:
- TRIAC Dimmers – Most common for incandescent and halogen lamps.
- Reverse Phase (ELV) – Used with electronic low-voltage transformers.
- 0-10V Dimming – Common in commercial LED drivers.
- PWM Dimming – Used in DC and low-voltage LED systems.
- Smart Dimmers – Wi-Fi/Zigbee enabled for home automation.
Key Considerations:
- Load type (resistive, inductive, capacitive)
- Minimum/maximum load requirements
- Compatibility with LED/CFL bulbs
- Phase control (leading-edge vs trailing-edge)
- Heat dissipation and derating
Always verify dimmer compatibility with the connected light source to avoid flickering or damage.