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User:DavidB4/workspace (view source)
Revision as of 17:34, September 22, 2016
, 17:34, September 22, 2016more progress
===Autotransformer dimmer===
===Autotransformer dimmer===
Variable autotransformers (trademark "Variac") are very tolerant and reliable "dimmer" devices. They and not significantly effected by how much power is drawn through them, so they are also very versatile. However, theses also large and somewhat expensive, so they are rarely used for lighting today. They are still used for some other purposes, however. For example, some musicians use them not as much to reduce the voltage as to stabilize it. These help deal with unreliable power sources (which sometimes provide too little voltage) and help remove electromagnetic interference and "noise."<ref>http://www.mindspring.com/~atlantatubeamp/id23.html</ref>
Variable autotransformers (trademark "Variac") are very tolerant and reliable "dimmer" devices. They and not significantly effected by how much power is drawn through them, so they are also very versatile. However, theses also large and somewhat expensive, so they are rarely used for lighting today. They are still used for some other purposes, however. For example, some musicians use them not as much to reduce the voltage as to stabilize it. These help deal with unreliable power sources (which sometimes provide too little voltage) and help remove electromagnetic interference and "noise."<ref name="mindspring.com">http://www.mindspring.com/~atlantatubeamp/id23.html</ref>
===Solid-state===
===Solid-state===
===CFL/LED dimmers===
===CFL/LED dimmers===
[[Fluorescent lightbulb|Fluorescent lights]] as well as LED (Light emitting diode) bulbs cannot be dimmed by a simple voltage reduction. However, this does not mean that it is impossible. In most cases, the bulbs themselves can (and must) control their brilliance. Therefore, variable brightness bulbs or tubes must be installed into a "dimmer" system designed for them. The user can then control brilliance easily, but the switch is simply telling the bulbs or tubes what to do. The actual lights then adjust their output as requested.<ref>http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3886/how-to-use-a-dimmer-switch-with-cfls-and-leds-15882096</ref>
[[Fluorescent lightbulb|Fluorescent lights]] as well as LED (Light emitting diode) bulbs cannot be dimmed by a simple voltage reduction. However, this does not mean that it is impossible. In most cases, the bulbs themselves can (and must) control their brilliance. Therefore, variable brightness bulbs or tubes must be installed into a "dimmer" system designed for them. The user can then control brilliance easily, but the switch is simply telling the bulbs or tubes what to do. The actual lights then adjust their output as requested.<ref>http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3886/how-to-use-a-dimmer-switch-with-cfls-and-leds-15882096</ref>
==Purpose==
===Energy saving===
Many use dimmers to reduce energy consumption. A reduction of 5-10 volts on lighting may not even be noticed, so this can be done almost anytime. A greater reduction is also sometimes used for certain situations. Perhaps the lights are dimmed after motion sensors detect no motion for a period of time, or perhaps lights are dimmed at night, since less is usually needed. However, power consumption cannot be reduced much in most cases, and since electric lighting consumes relatively little power anyway, there may be little noticeable difference in consumption.<br />
Some will attempt to save power in this way to simply avoid being wasteful, while many others are seeking to save some money. Some also try to reduce energy consumption based on the belief that this may help prevent or delay self-annihilation due to [[global warming]].
===Convenience/appearance===
In some cases, it is helpful to reduce lighting, without actually turning it off. In conference rooms and theaters, it may be helpful to dim the lights, but not actually turn any off, so that light is still evenly distributed. This is particularly the case if a projector or screen is sometimes but not always used. Dimmers are also useful in stage lighting, since they allow the operators to set lighting specifically as needed, and also allow for the fading on and off of lights. (This is much easier for the audience's eyes than simply flipping on and off lights, with no time for their eyes to adjust.)
===Extended device life===
While reduced voltage can be harmful to some electronics, others--mainly light sources--can actually be preserved by it. In some cases, it helps to preserve lights by simply running them at a slightly reduced voltage. In other cases, it helps them most of all if they are allowed time to warm up with a very low voltage running through them. After doing this with halogen lamps, for example, it is much less harmful to them when full power is applied to them.
[http://home.howstuffworks.com/dimmer-switch5.htm] [https://prezi.com/nb3-mntmhf0e/dimmer-switch] [http://code-elec.com/content/00/01/53/48/38/userimages/How%20Dimmers%20Work.pdf] [http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3886/how-to-use-a-dimmer-switch-with-cfls-and-leds-15882096]
[http://home.howstuffworks.com/dimmer-switch5.htm] [https://prezi.com/nb3-mntmhf0e/dimmer-switch] [http://code-elec.com/content/00/01/53/48/38/userimages/How%20Dimmers%20Work.pdf] [http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3886/how-to-use-a-dimmer-switch-with-cfls-and-leds-15882096]