Advanced Dimmer Features While many dimmers are simply replacements for standard switches, some have additional control features. Dimmer Switch Power Options These products include switches that work with both line- and low-voltage light fixtures. Choosing Dimmer Controls Dimmers all perform the same function, altering the illumination produced by the attached fixtures, but there are many types of dimmer switch controls.
Rotary These traditional switches have a rotating knob that controls the light level. Usually, twisting the knob all the way down turns the connected fixtures off. Slide Slide switches are similar to rotary dials, except they use a vertical or horizontal slider button to change the light level. These controls often have a slide-to-off feature, and some include multiple setting stops that let you quickly find preset light level settings.
Toggle Toggle dimmers combine a switch with a separate level control. You can turn the fixture on or off without changing the dimmer setting. Use these switches in rooms where you want set-and-forget dimming control. Rocker Many of these dimmers are similar to toggle controls. However, some of these products are standalone lighting controls.
Tapping or pressing and holding the up side of the switch increases illumination; down reduces it. Tap Tap controls use touch pads or switches to provide stepwise control over light levels.
Tapping the control surfaces increases or decreases illumination. This signal chopping essentially reduces the amount of electricity that the bulbs will receive which causes them to dim. Dimmers will work a bit differently depending upon which bulbs you have which is why it is important to learn how to choose a dimmer switch for your particular situation.
A dimmer switch is a great way to add mood lighting to a room. Dimmers can also be set in a place where you prefer to have a certain amount of light in a room at all times. The desired number of lumens you want from a bulb may not exist and using a dimmer is a great way to fine tune that to where you want it every time. We have seen dimmers also used to control ceiling fans instead of lights. This is a great way to slow the fan blades down to exactly where you want them without pulling a chain to get a pre-set speed.
There are five factors to consider when deciding how to choose a dimmer switch. Walking through these steps will help you to figure out which dimmer type is best for you. Then, I can help you choose from a list of our recommended dimmers.
There are various dimmer types to consider when deciding how to choose a dimmer switch. However, this is likely the easiest part of your decision making process. The answer is based upon what you have right now in the room. If you are remodeling and have options when it comes to wiring, then you may want to give this a little more thought. Single Pole Dimmers This is the most common and likely what you will need in your home. A single pole dimmer is one that controls everything from one switch location.
This dimmer switch must turn on the lights and also dim them. No other switch is involved. Three Way Dimmers Having a three way switch is not uncommon especially in a room where you have multiple entrances.
At each entrance to a room, you may have a light switch to turn on the lights. A three way dimmer switch will be positioned at one location and a regular light switch will be at the other. You will not have two dimmer switches controlling the same lights.
In this scenario, it is best to just have the dimmer that does not rely on the slide to turn the lights on. There are also four way dimmers which require one dimmer, plus two other light switches. This is much less common. Companion or Multi Location Dimmers This is when you have multiple dimmers controlling the same lights. Companion dimmers are much less common and in fact I have never seen it.
These clock in at just 6W apiece and will absolutely eviscerate your lighting bill — result. A low wattage trailing edge dimmer of course! Remember to do this before assessing where your light bulb sits in terms of its wattage. Sometimes, you do all you can and the world still just wants to watch you struggle.
This bestows a number of their most laudable benefits, but it also means they require an electronic driver to convert the voltage they receive from the mains. This is why most manufacturers will normally provide a list of compatible dimmer switches that have been tried, tested and certified for use with their LED light bulbs.
This is by far the easiest bit. For the most part, we would recommend our Varilight range of dimmer switches. Ensure that all your light bulbs are of the same type and from the same manufacturer. This ensures that all the drivers in the circuit are made by the same people and therefore remain mutually compatible throughout.
This removes the need for external transformers and minimises the risk of compatibility issues here also. As above, if ALL of your light bulbs are made by Philips but require a third-party transformer to convert their voltage, it also needs to be compatible. Dimming LED light bulbs CAN certainly be tricky, but when done properly the benefits are endless, from the improved efficiency and longevity of the light bulbs to smooth, silent dimming that looks infinitely better than its incandescent equivalent.
If I use dimmable bulbs is there a way to still dim the lights? If the light fixture has a transformer in it, such as a 12V transformer designed for MR16 light bulbs, then this would need to be dimmer compatible too. Does it really have to do with the fixture or the bulbs they are including? I realize that I would have to have a compatible dimmer.
To answer your question, yes, you can insert dimmable light bulbs into a non-dimmable circuit, but if you can find non-dimmable light bulbs that are suitable for you fitting they might be cheaper to buy.
If a fixture is saying non-dimmable specifically, then it may contain a transformer that is not dimmer compatible — but E12 light bulbs do not require a transformer so that has left us confused. We think that it may be simply referring to the light bulbs it came installed with but you could try and check … Read more ». What has the uplighter part got to do with it?
It could depend upon the type of light bulbs that are installed in the fitting? How to select a dimmer. Factors to Consider Dimmer Types - Single-pole, 3-way or 4-way , Multi-location, and Plug-in Lighting Source — Bulb type and wattage Control Style — Rotary, slide, toggle, rocker, tap and scene selector Bulb Type Each specific bulb type comes with its individual characteristics, which require a specific type of dimmer. More Guides:. Basic Types of Lighting. Shapes and Forms of Lighting. How to select the right Dimmer.
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