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Technical info on Dimmers


 

Loads such as Electronic transformers, wire-wound transformers, standard 240 volt GLS lamps or fans require different types of dimming control as shown in the table below.

 

dimmer compatibility 

 

 

Dimmers in General

In most cases the table above is a good guideline for which dimmer to use on a particular load type.

 

Some electronic transformers have a universal design and can be controlled using "Leading edge" dimming control.  It is normally printed on the actual transformer as to what dimming method it supports.  If no information is provided on the transformer you should always contact the transformer manufacturer first to confirm.  There are some limitations as to how many electronic transfromers can be connected, please view the link at the bottom of this page.

 

At the Dimmer some heat is generated as a result of the dimming process. Due to this heat , there are de-rating limits on how many dimmers can be placed into the same wall plate, because of the close proximity of the dimmers, each dimmer will "heat" the dimmer next to it, thereby reducing the size of the load you can control.

 

An example is shown on the table below, however you should refer to the specific dimmers instructions for exact derating factors..

 

dimmer derating example

 

 

C-Bus Dimmers 

The current range of C-Bus dimmers are "Leading Edge" design.
Some electronic transformers are compatible with C-Bus Leading Edge Dimmers, we have listed some of them here along with typical quantities on the chart link below. 

 

Wire-wound  ( ferro-magnetic ) transformers are compatible with C-Bus Leading Edge Dimmers, hence their abscence from the Electronic transformer compatibility chart.

 

 

Electronic Transformer Compatibility Chart