Different Types of Dimmers
- Incandescent/Halogen. These types of bulbs require resistive dimmers due to the filaments inside of them.
- Magnetic Low Voltage (MLV) Transformers that reduce higher voltages to less than 30 volts are called low-voltage transformers.
- Fluorescent.
- Light Emitting Diode (LED)
What are the different types of dimmers?
Dimmers can come in many different styles, including toggles, rotaries, and touch-sensitive, as well as in a variety of colors.
Most dimmers fall into these four bulb type categories:
- Incandescent and halogen bulbs.
- Dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs.
- Magnetic Low Frequency (MLV)
- Electronic Low Frequency (ELV)
What are 3-way dimmers?
3-Way Dimmer Switches
In this setup, the light level is controlled from a single location, whichever light switch you replace with the dimmer switch. The other light switches turn the lights off and on to the level set by the dimmer. For this reason, you don’t want to dim the lights to off.
Are there different types of dimmer switches?
There are different types of dimmer switches available these days, enabled with modern light dimmer circuit and dimmer switch wiring. Most types of dimmer switches use incandescent bulbs, dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs, Magnetic Low Frequency and Electronic Low Frequent bulbs.
How many dimmers are there?
You can only have one dimmer per group. You can put the dimmer at either location, but not both locations. There are “companion” dimmers available from some companies, that allow you to place additional dimmers in the circuit.
What is a standard dimmer?
The dimmer switch is rated for the same voltage as the lighting application. Use standard dimmers on 120 line voltage and low voltage dimmers for 12V and 24V applications. The total wattage of all lamps is less than or equal to the maximum wattage rating on the dimmer switch.
What is a CL dimmer?
C.L dimmers are designed and UL listed for controlling not only a broad range of dimmable CFLs and LEDs, but also incandescent and halogen bulbs.This technology ensures that CFLs and LEDs dim reliably each and every time you turn on the lights.
Can you use 2/3 way dimmers?
Two dimmers may be installed to control one or more lights as long as the dimmer switches are compatible with each other, such as one being the Master, and the other being the Slave. The key here is that you cannot install standard 3 way dimmer switches.
Can you have 2 dimmers on a 2 way switch?
Installing the Two-Way Dimmer Switch
Traditionally, you cannot dim a light from two different switches, as it will cause a conflict in the circuitry.A master and slave switch controls the dimmers in multiple locations around your house. The master is a one-way circuit that will only work with a slave switch.
What is a 3 way switch?
A 3-way switch is larger than a single pole switch and has three screw terminals for wiring connections, plus a ground. Two of these take traveler wires that go from one switch to the other. For the third terminal, one switch is connected to the hot supply wire while the other switch is joined to the light.
How do I know what type of dimmer I have?
Determine the number of switches that control the light group. If only one switch controls the light, purchase a single-pole dimmer. If two switches control a single light or a group of lights, you will need a 3-way dimmer. Then look at the bulb type you are going to be using and pick the right type of dimmer.
What is an ELV type dimmer?
Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) Dimmers were originally designed to control Electronic Low Voltage Transformers used in low voltage (12V) MR16 type fixtures. ELV dimmers and transformers are more expensive but offer quieter operation, better control and tend to last longer than Magnetic Low Voltage Transformers (MLV).
What is a preset dimmer?
Preset Slide Dimmers provide smooth, slide-action, full-range dimming for dimmable LEDs and fluorescent loads. The Preset Slide Dimmer features an easy-to-use push button that provides preset ON/OFF switching. All dimmers come packaged in White with Ivory and Light Almond color change kits.
How do 2 way dimmers work?
If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit. It must be used in conjunction with a normal switch.
Can you have 2 dimmers one light?
You can only have one dimmer per group. You can put the dimmer at either location, but not both locations. There are “companion” dimmers available from some companies, that allow you to place additional dimmers in the circuit.
How do CL dimmers work?
A CL dimmer uses resistors to alter the power output and you will be able to use your bulb of choice, even if that’s an LED or fluorescent light. You do need to make sure the lights themselves are dimmable. If you attempt to use an incandescent dimmer with these lights, it will either not work at all or malfunction.
Are all LED dimmers the same?
While most LED bulbs are now dimmable, not all of them are and not all of them dim in the same manner Since LEDs consume such a low wattage, many types of dimmers do not function with LED in the same way that they do with high wattage load incandescents.
What is the difference between LED and incandescent dimmers?
The main difference is that you have a smaller dimming range (typically 70-90% range vs. 100% with incandescent or halogen). LED Bulbs may not shut off at the lowest dim setting like traditional bulbs.In traditional dimming systems you are simply lowering the voltage/power to the bulb, which in turn dims it down.
What is a LED dimmer switch?
LED dimmer switches are specifically designed to be compatible with dimmable LED bulbs, providing clear illumination which can be softened or brightened according to preference.
What type of dimmer is a Caseta?
Well the short answer is Yes, Lutron Caseta offers some ELV dimmers (such as the Caseta PD-5NE-WH) that can control your home’s LEV lighting. They offer a wide range of dimmers including some that are compatible with Hue bulbs.
Is Caseta a TRIAC dimmer?
Caseta is one of Lutron’s many product lines. Caseta covers a wide range of products and is a great choice for the majority of today’s LED-based home lighting systems. However, Caseta does not have a TRIAC dimmer.
Contents