Dimming

If you want to be able to adjust the brightness of a lamp—or have more or less light at times—dimmable lights are the best choice. This means that the brightness of the light source can be reduced or controlled, allowing you to adjust the lighting ambiance; after all, dimmed light creates a cozier atmosphere than very bright light, which is better suited for working.  There are various ways to dim such a light fixture. You can do this either to adapt the lighting to different room uses—which is called “comfort dimming”—or to save energy, which is known as “energy dimming.” The latter is primarily used in large office spaces or industrial halls, for example, for daylight-dependent control systems. Dimmable lamps are therefore suitable for saving energy, since the basic principle of a dimmer is to regulate the power supply specifically to achieve the desired brightness. Furthermore, lights can be dimmed continuously or the brightness can be adjusted in preset steps. The former refers to a completely customizable reduction in brightness and can be achieved, for example, via a rotary switch in the wall. With step-based dimming, there isn’t quite as much flexibility, but it is usually sufficient. For example, there are three or four different brightness levels, between which you can choose using a compatible light switch or touch dimmer.  Depending on the type of lamp, a suitable dimmer is required, which can usually be purchased directly with the lamp. In some lights—such as floor and table lamps—a dimmer is already built in, allowing for easy dimming without much effort.