What is phase control dimmer?
Phase control is a dimming technique based on the electric wire that is often used for halogen and incandescent lamps. It “clips” part of the sine wave of the alternating current to dim the light.
What are the two types of phase-cut dimming?
Phase-cut dimmers can operate on the leading edge (forward phase-cut) or trailing edge (reverse phase-cut) of the waveform.
What does dimming to 1% mean?
0-10V dimming applies a direct current voltage (DC) between 0 and 10 Volts to produce light at varying intensity levels. At 1V, the lights are at 10% measured brightness, which may actually be perceived as 32% brightness.
Is ELV dimming reverse phase?
ELV dimmers and transformers are more expensive but offer quieter operation, better control and tend to last longer than Magnetic Low Voltage Transformers (MLV). Also referred to as Reverse Phase Dimmers. ELV Dimming Option is used in LITON General Purpose Recessed Housings and is specified as “DLV” when ordering.
What is forward/reverse phase dimming?
Reverse phase dimming usually gives you better overall control and smooth dimming down to 5% light levels, while forward phase normally dims smoothly down to 10%. Generally works better with LED light sources and all electronic low-voltage systems.
Is Triac dimming the same as MLV?
Forward Phase: Forward phase-cut dimming (commonly referred to as incandescent or Triac dimming) is the most common dimming method. It’s designed for resistive or magnetic low-voltage (MLV) loads, including incandescent and halogen, but certain models allow for more usage with CFL and LED loads.
Is MLV dimming forward or reverse phase?
MLV and some Fluorescent controls explicitly require forward phase controls due to their architecture. MLV loads convert the output from the dimmer to a low voltage output, so that smaller 12V or 24V lamps can be used.
Is triac dimming ELV?
Some common dimming technologies include Forward Phase, Reverse Phase (ELV), and 0-10V. Forward Phase: Forward phase-cut dimming (commonly referred to as incandescent or Triac dimming) is the most common dimming method. ELV dimmers are generally very compatible with LED loads, offering smoother dimming to low levels.
How does a phase cut dimmer work?
Phase-Cut Dimming “Phase-cut” dimmers work by taking the line input power (120V “house power”) and modulating the signal to reduce the power to the load. By “chopping” the signal, the load experiences a lower voltage, resulting in a lower light output.
Which is the most common form of Phase Dimming?
Also commonly known as “Triac Dimming”, “SCR Dimming”, and Forward Phase control dimming, Forward Phase dimming control is the most common form of phase dimming. It uses a silicon device, usually an SCR or a Triac, to turn the mains waveform on part way through its cycle.
What kind of transistor is used for phase cut dimming?
These thyristor-based controls are the mainstay of dimmer technology today, although the IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) is used in some of the newest dimmer designs because it is an easier device to drive and control. All of these devices work by cutting off part of each half cycle of the AC line waveform.
When to use reverse phase cut dimming ( SCR )?
The SCR or TRIAC is triggered to turn it on and it turns off when the waveform crosses zero voltage. Reverse phase-cut dimming was developed to improve performance of low voltage halogen lamps operating on an electronic transformer, a type of switch mode power supply.