We show how dimming simply works
They create a suitable lighting mood and provide more or less brightness in the room depending on the activity - dimmers are a popular lighting accessory. But not all dimmers are the same. There are a variety of different options and different dimming technologies. Which one Skapetze to choose from, we would like to give you an overview here.
Different dimmer technologies.
The functional principle for dimming lights is not always the same. Although the result is always a reduction or increase in brightness, there are differences in how this is done technically.
On the one hand, dimming is possible via the power component, i.e. by reducing the current. This includes the leading edge and trailing edge phase control dimmers which are often used for halogen or incandescent lamps. However, such phase dimmers can also be useful for adjusting the brightness of LEDs. With leading edge phase control, the current is only switched on with a delay after the so-called zero crossing of the sine curve until it reaches the next zero crossing. The phase cut-off dimmer, on the other hand, works in exactly the opposite way: the current flows directly after the zero crossing and then stops shortly before it reaches the next one.
In addition to these phase dimmers, dimming via an analog control signal is also possible, such as with the 1-10V dimming technology . Here, a signal between 1 volt and 10 volts is emitted, whereby at a voltage of 10 volts the light intensity is at full 100% and the brightness at 1 volt is then only 10%.
The most modern and innovative variant for dimming LED lamps or other light is of course via digital control signal such as the DALI interface (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). Using this and other smart light systems the lamps in the house can then be networked and conveniently controlled via smartphone app or remote control.
In principle, it is always important to pay attention to compatibility here, because the lights must also match the dimmer and vice versa. You should pay close attention to the type of dimmer your lamp requires or choose lighting with a built-in dimmer. If you are not quite sure or have any further questions, please contact our friendly customer service team - we will be happy to help you!
Different dimmer technologies.
The functional principle for dimming lights is not always the same. Although the result is always a reduction or increase in brightness, there are differences in how this is done technically.
On the one hand, dimming is possible via the power component, i.e. by reducing the current. This includes the leading edge and trailing edge phase control dimmers which are often used for halogen or incandescent lamps. However, such phase dimmers can also be useful for adjusting the brightness of LEDs. With leading edge phase control, the current is only switched on with a delay after the so-called zero crossing of the sine curve until it reaches the next zero crossing. The phase cut-off dimmer, on the other hand, works in exactly the opposite way: the current flows directly after the zero crossing and then stops shortly before it reaches the next one.
In addition to these phase dimmers, dimming via an analog control signal is also possible, such as with the 1-10V dimming technology . Here, a signal between 1 volt and 10 volts is emitted, whereby at a voltage of 10 volts the light intensity is at full 100% and the brightness at 1 volt is then only 10%.
The most modern and innovative variant for dimming LED lamps or other light is of course via digital control signal such as via the DALI interface (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). Using this and other smart light systems the lamps in the house can then be networked and conveniently controlled via smartphone app or remote control.
In principle, it is always important to pay attention to compatibility here, because the lights must also match the dimmer and vice versa. You should pay close attention to the type of dimmer your lamp requires or choose lighting with a built-in dimmer. If you are not quite sure or have any further questions, please contact our friendly customer service team - we will be happy to help you!
Different brightness levels - from preset to infinitely variable dimming.
Apart from the technical functionality, there are also several variants for dimming itself. Depending on what you choose, you are more or less flexible when it comes to setting the brightness of your light. On the one hand, there are step dimmers and, on the other, stepless dimmers. The former are preset brightness levels that you can switch between. For example, there are 2- or 3-step dimmers which may be sufficient for many people.
However, if you prefer to make your own decisions and be flexible, we recommend stepless dimming which, among other things, with a control via Smart Light is possible. Here again, there are different systems which, apart from DALI, are usually manufacturer-dependent. This means that you also need compatible light sources for dimming via Smart Light, which is usually specified in the product description. With Skapetze you have the iLight systems , Connect , Casambi and DALI are available. These allow you to freely adjust the brightness of your light and often also choose between colors and warm or cool white.
A wide range of options for dimmer control.
In addition to the technology and brightness levels, with Skapetze you also have the choice between different ways of operating your dimmer. The most convenient is probably the Operation via smartphone app or remote control as is also frequently offered with smart light solutions. However, conventional options are also popular: A simple switch that needs to be pressed to dim a lamp. Or a rotary dimmer that regulates the brightness by turning, a foot switch to step on, a cord dimmer for pulling, a gesture control a sensor dimmer or a touch dimmer which you control simply by touch - there really are countless possibilities. Here, too, it is important to check compatibility to see whether your desired luminaire actually allows dimmer control.
Overview of the dimmability of lamps.
Basically, if you want dimmable lighting, you should first check whether a luminaire is labeled as dimmable at all. If this is the case, a compatible dimmer must be found if one is not already installed. We therefore provide a brief overview here of which dimmer technology is suitable for which light source:
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Incandescent lamps : can usually be dimmed by leading edge phase control as well as trailing edge phase control
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LEDs : if labeled as dimmable by leading edge phase control or trailing edge phase control and with DALI interface or Smart Light adjustable in brightness
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High-voltage halogen lamps : normally brightness adjustment by leading edge or trailing edge phase control dimmer
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Low-voltage halogen lamps : with conventional transformer only dimmable with leading edge phase control dimmer, with electric transformer use trailing edge phase control dimmer
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Energy-saving lamps usually not dimmable, but if so, the brightness can usually be adjusted with a leading edge phase control dimmer, but cannot be controlled by sensor or touch dimmer
In order to Skapetze online store to find dimmable lights quickly and easily, you can simply set a filter for the type of lamp you are looking for at the top of the page. Simply search for a light source, you can access the dimmable versions here and here to the individual dimmers which you can buy as accessories. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.