Lutron Dimmers

Lutron Dimmers

Valuable Information about Dimmers

Dimmer FAQ

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 Lutron dimmers be used?

A) Lutron 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 "smoothes 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 Lutron dimmers?

A) Standard incandescent lamps (like the incandescent light bulbs that are most widely used in residential settings), halogen lamps (like PAR halogen light bulbs), and xenon lamps (like the xenon light bulbs used in our Xenon Line Voltage Thin Task Lights) that use 120 volts to operate should be controlled by line voltage Lutron dimmers. Low voltage xenon lamps (like the xenon light bulbs used in our Xenon Low Voltage Puck Lights) and halogen lamps (like MR11 and MR16 light bulbs) that use 12 or 24 volts should be controlled by low voltage Lutron dimmers.

Q) What kind of Lutron dimmer should be used to control low voltage lighting?

A) If the low voltage lighting system uses an electronic transformer, then a Lutron dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used. Likewise, if the low voltage lighting system uses a magnetic transformer, then a Lutron 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 Lutron dimmer should be used to control this combination?

A) Again, if the low voltage lighting system uses an electronic transformer, then a Lutron dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used. Likewise, if the low voltage lighting system uses a magnetic transformer, then a Lutron dimmer designed for this type of transformer should be used.

Q) Can Lutron dimmers save electricity and increase lamp life?

A) Yes. The use of Lutron 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 Lutron dimmer?

A) See the table below.

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.

Why Pegasus Associates Lighting Prefers LUTRON Dimmers

• Lutron Electronics, Inc. was founded in 1961 and now has 47 years of experience in the light control business.
• Lutron now offers more than 11,000 products worldwide.
• Lutron dimmers and other products provide lighting control solutions for both residential and commercial settings.
• Lutron Electronics maintains offices in US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
• With an average annual growth of about 20% Lutron was the recipient of Home Builder Executive First Place Award for whole-home lighting controls category of its 2005 Innovations Awards.
• The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has bestowed its Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Award in the Video Accessories category to Lutron's Maestro IR remote control dimmer.
• Acknowledged throughout the lighting industry for its expansive product offerings, continued technological achievements, and stringent quality standards Lutron has been recognized as the preferred brand by lighting designers and specifiers worldwide.
• Lutron Electronics is affiliated with the American Institute of Architects, the American Lighting Association, the American Society of Interior Designers, the Illuminating Engineering Society, and the International Association of Lighting Designers.

Compare Lutron Dimmers

LUTRON DIMMER IMAGE (only 1 of many models is shown at right)
LUTRON DIMMER TYPE	Electronic LOW Voltage Lutron Dimmers	Magnetic LOW Voltage Lutron Dimmers	LINE Voltage Lutron Dimmers
7 Gloss Colors	White, Ivory, Almond, Light Almond, Gray, Brown, Black	White, Ivory, Almond, Light Almond, Gray, Brown, Black	White, Ivory, Almond, Light Almond, Gray, Brown, Black
Lighting Systems	Low Voltage halogen or xenon	Low Voltage halogen or xenon	Line Voltage incandescent, halogen, or xenon
Use With Transformer Type	Electronic transformers (12 or 24 volts)	Magnetic transformers (12 or 24 volts)	NO transformer (120V lighting systems)
Pricing	Starts at $54.50 Buy this Item	Starts at $40.90 Buy this Item	Starts at $19.20 Buy this Item