Dimmer FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Dimmer FAQ  Pegasus Associates Lighting answers several popular questions about dimmers and lighting controls.

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Q) What is the function of dimmers?
A) Dimmers can be extremely functional by providing the flexibility to vary the amount of light depending on the size of the space, the mood and/or age of the individuals in that space, and the task or activity being performed by those individuals.
Q) Where can dimmers be used?
A) Dimmers may be used almost anywhere: bathrooms, bedrooms, conference rooms, dining rooms, family rooms, game rooms, hallways, kitchens, living rooms, media rooms, restaurants, taverns, teleconference rooms, and theatres.
Q) What makes the lights dim?
A) An electrical component in the dimmer, called a triac, actually turns the light on and off very rapidly - 120 times per second. But with a dimmer, just like when you watch a movie and your eye "smooths out" the rapid movement changes, your eye perceives a steady dimmed light level. The longer the light is "on" versus "off", the brighter the lights appear. Conversely, when the light is "off" more than "on", the lights are dimmer.
Q) What light sources can be controlled by dimmers?
A) Certain dimmers can control standard incandescent lamps that use 120 volts while other dimmers can control low voltage xenon or halogen light sources that use 12 or 24 volts.
Q) What kind of dimmer should be used to control low voltage lighting?
A) If the low voltage lighting system uses an electronic transformer, then a dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used. Likewise, if the low voltage lighting system uses a magnetic transformer, then a dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used.
Q) What will happen if a "magnetic dimmer" is used to control an electronic transformer?
A) In all likelihood the low voltage light fixtures will flicker.
Q) If one dimmer needs to control both a line voltage light fixture AND a low voltage lighting system, what kind of dimmer should be used to control this combination?
A) Again, if the low voltage lighting system uses an electronic transformer, then a dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used. Likewise, if the low voltage lighting system uses a magnetic transformer, then a dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used.
Q) Can dimmers save electricity and increase lamp life?
A) Yes. The use of dimmers can reduce the use of electricity and, thereby, save money and help conserve the environment. Dimmer use can also increase the life of the lamps (light bulbs) being controlled.
Q) By how much can electricity be saved and lamp life increased by using a dimmer?
A) See the table below.
Percentage
Dimmed		 Energy
Savings		 Lamp Life
Increase
10% 10% 2 x
25% 20% 4 x
50% 40% 20 x
75% 60% > 20 x

 

Q) Can dimmers increase halogen lamp life?
A) Yes. Dimming increases incandescent lamp life and halogen lamps are a type of incandescent lamp with a tungsten filament just like a traditional incandescent lamp. A pilot test performed by Lutron, a major manufacturer of dimmers, suggests that halogen lamps will have an expected lamp life similar to that of other incandescent lamps when dimmed. As an example, one type of halogen lamp with a rated life of 2000 hours dimmed to 25% has a life extension of about four times that of a non-dimmed lamp. Lutron is continuing testing with various halogen lamps.
Q) How should dimmers be connected electrically?
A) Dimmers should always be connected to line voltage (usually 120 volts).  That is, when a dimmer is used to control a low voltage transformer it is always connected between the source of the power and the primary side (the line voltage side; the 120V side) of the transformer; it is never connected to the secondary side (the low voltage side; the 12V or 24V) of the transformer.

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