It is known that lighting can influence the moods or sensations that a space conveys, but you should know that you can adapt the lighting of a room to the needs you have at a given time. Therefore, you should also find out what a dimmer is and how it works.
An electric dimmer can help you adjust the light completely in the space you are in to ensure maximum comfort and well-being at any time of the day and for any activity you wish to perform. This device is an electric dimmer.
What is an electric variator?
An electric dimmer or dimmer, as it is also known, is a control device that regulates the light intensity, or the lighting level, of an electric lamp by adjusting the lamp’s supply voltage.
In electrical lighting installations, it is connected instead of the switch. The light intensity is adjusted either by turning the dimmer knob or by successively pressing its flap.
Dimmers are built for standard mains voltages, such as 230 V or 110 V, and for different electrical powers. Dimmers must be compatible with the type of lighting source, incandescent, LED, halogen, fluorescent, etc. and have an electrical power greater than or at least equal to the electrical power of the lighting source.
What are the main characteristics of an electric variator?
- They allow easy adaptation of brightness to a specific type of activity.
- It guarantees simple and quick control of the brightness level.
- It is easily installed in the home’s electrical system.
- They are compatible with a wide range of indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures.
The latest generation of electric dimmer models include other options besides the basic functions, i.e. quick brightness adjustment, switching off, switching on, such as:
- Automatic brightness change, depending on the natural light coming from outside.
- Remote control, using applications or via voice control.
- There are models equipped with LEDs to signal the charge level of the respective circuit.
- Automatic deactivation function by presetting a certain operating time.
What are the main types of electric drives?
There are four basic models of electric drives:
1. Integrated electric dimmers are generally controlled via wireless technology, but can also be operated manually. These types are commonly used with modern smart home and/or security systems.
2. Touch screen dimmers are among the most popular. They are often installed on a wall in the house and are thus within reach, being easy to use. In addition, this type of dimmer gives a modern look to a room.
3. Push-button dimmers allow you to control the brightness by simply sliding a switch back and forth or up and down. These dimmers may also come with a button that automatically slides the device back and forth.
4. Dimmers with a rotary regulator are the most well-known and common. With them, you can set the desired light level by simply turning a knob.
Regardless of the model chosen, the selection criteria for an electric variator are:
Minimum / maximum power of the electrical circuit in which it is mounted;
The lighting source with which the electric dimmer must operate in tandem.
Electric dimmers can be divided according to the type of lamps they regulate:
- The simplest devices are used for incandescent and halogen lamps, they operate at a voltage of 220 V. Everything is simple here, the voltage changes and the glow power of the filament is adjusted.
- The circuit for 12 V or 24 V halogen lamps must be equipped with a step-down transformer. When this is not possible, then choose a regulator for the type of transformer used.
- LED lamps require dimmers with pulse frequency modulation.
How does an electric variator work?
Given that lighting that uses a dimmer must have the mechanism to be regulated, the function of the dimmer is to open and close the lighting circuit by decreasing or increasing the amount of energy reaching the light source, which translates into an increase or decrease in light intensity.
Therefore, this function not only means greater comfort and a total adaptation of the lights to the needs of the users, but can also lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption. In addition, an electric dimmer has the particularity of remembering the last setting that was made to return to this configuration when the lighting is turned on again, so that comfort is ensured.
Advantages of using an electric variator
- Energy savings . By dimming your lights, you will see energy savings on your energy bill because you will use fewer watts when the lights are dimmed. Energy savings depend on how many rooms you use dimmers in and how often you dim the lights. You could save 18-20% on your lighting costs.
- Light bulbs will last longer simply because they won’t have to work as hard when they are dimmed. This isn’t true for all bulbs, but you can double or triple the life of a light bulb by dimming the lights every day.
- You can control the look of any room . You’ll usually want the lights on bright when you’re having dinner, but the rest of the time the lights can be dimmed to create a more comfortable environment. You’ll want to dim the lights when you’re watching TV, but turn them up to read a book. Living rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms are ideal places to use lights with dimmer switches.
Disadvantages of using an electric variator
Like any technical device, an electric variator has its disadvantages in use:
- It causes electromagnetic interference.
- The output voltage has a nonlinear dependence on the value in the dimmer circuit.
- Fluorescent lamps cannot operate with an electric dimmer.
- The output voltage of electronic dimmers has a non-sinusoidal shape; therefore, it is not recommended to connect step-down transformers to it.
- Efficiency is low when working with incandescent lamps.
