understanding
different
load types
that can
be dimmed
technical assistance
•
•
•
1-800-523-9466
24 hours a day
7 days a week
dimming basics
lamp fundamentals
•
Most standard lamps have
the same basic construction
(i.e. incandescent, halogen,
low-voltage, spots,
floods, etc.)
dimming basics
lamp fundamentals
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A voltage is placed across the
filament
Current passes through the
filament and creates heat
The filament glows, creating
light
dimming basics
lamp fundamentals
•
Tungsten filaments are fairly
good at withstanding the heat
tungsten
melting point of tungsten = 3,695ºK
dimming basics
lamp fundamentals
•
However, over time, the
tungsten evaporates off of
the filament …
dimming basics
lamp fundamentals
•
… and gets necked down
until it can no longer handle
the energy
selecting the right product
load type identification
•
Incandescent/halogen lighting
–
–
–
–
Line voltage placed across the lamp
The lamp dissipates power
The power dissipation generates heat
The lamp gets so hot that it glows
Why does a low voltage lamp need
a transformer?
load type identification
•
Magnetic low-voltage (MLV)
– Heavy core-&-coil transformers driving 12-volt
or 24-volt lighting
– Typically used for accent lighting or to bring out
certain colors
Why do people use low voltage?
•
Magnetic low-voltage (MLV)
– Heavy core-&-coil transformers driving 12-volt
or 24-volt lighting
– Typically used for accent lighting or to bring out
certain colors
selecting the right product
load type identification
•
Electronic low-voltage (ELV)
– Light-weight circuitry-based transformers driving
12-volt or 24-volt lighting
– Also used for accent lighting or to bring out
certain colors
selecting the right product
load type identification
•
Fluorescent
– Fluorescents require a ballast to generate the
necessary amount of voltage to get the lamp
started up and to continually regulate it
ganging & derating (catalog page 53)
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The electronics used to
dim the lights dissipate
some energy as heat
The metal yoke (heat sink)
is used to dissipate that
heat
ganging & derating
•
In multi-gang applications,
side-sections (fins) need
to be broken off
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
Incandescent/
Halogen
dimmer types
Incandescent
Dimmer
Magnetic
Low Voltage
Dimmer
Electronic
Low Voltage
Dimmer
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
the right dimmer
for the right load
Incandescent/
Halogen
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
Incandescent
dimmer types
OK
MLV
OK
ELV
OK
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
Incandescent/
Halogen
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
Incandescent
dimmer types
OK
NO!
MLV
OK
NO!
ELV
OK
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
Incandescent/
Halogen
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
Incandescent
dimmer types
OK
NO!
MLV
OK
NO!
NO!
OK
ELV
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
Incandescent/
Halogen
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
OK
NO!
NO!
OK
NO!
NO!
OK
dimmer types
Incandescent
MLV
ELV
selecting the right product
load type identification
load types
Incandescent loads
will work on MLV
or ELV dimmers
Incandescent/
Halogen
Magnetic
Low-Voltage
Electronic
Low-Voltage
OK
NO!
NO!
OK
NO!
dimmer types
Incandescent
MLV
OK
(can be mixed with
incandescent loads)
ELV
OK
NO!
OK
(can be mixed with
incandescent loads)
selecting the right product
•
To ensure the success of a
dimming application – you
must make sure the dimmer
and the load type are
matched correctly!