| Q. |
What makes a light dim? |
| A. |
The triac is the key to dimming. This dimmer component actually
turns light on and off very rapidly - 120 times per second. This
technology is illustrated below.
The longer the light is ON versus OFF (example A) the bright the
light output. By the same logic, the longer the light is OFF versus
ON (example B), the lower the light output.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
How do dimmers save energy? |
| A. |
When the light is off, no energy is being used. The longer the
triac is off, the lower the light output, and the greater the energy
savings.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
If the lights are being turned on and off won't the
lights seem to be flickering? |
| A. |
No.
No matter how bright or how dim, the light level is constant and
smooth. Compare dimming to movie projection. A movie is actually
35 individual frames per second projected so quickly that you never
detect a break in the section.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Doesn't turning the lights on and off so quickly
decrease bulb life? |
| A. |
No.
Switching the bulb does not decrease bulb life; heat decreases
bulb life. By reducing heat, bulb life is increased.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can Lutron dimmers be ganged? |
| A. |
Yes.
When 2 or more dimmers are in the same wallbox, the are considered
"ganged". To install ganged dimmeres, simply remove the
dimmer side sections from the heat sink. The maximum wattage capacity
for each dimmer is reduced (derated) so that the dimmer does not
overheat.
More ganging and derating information.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Do Lutron dimmers increase halogen lamp life? |
| A. |
Yes.
Dimming increases incandescent lamp life, and haloge lamps are
incandescent lamps. Lutron test data suggests that all halogen lamps
will have an expected lamp life similar to that of other incandescent
(non power factor corrected) lamps when dimmed, i.e. a halogen lamp
dimmed 25% has a life extension of about four times that of a non-dimmed
lamp.
Lutron is continuing to test its dimmers with various halogen lamps
from many lamp manufacturers.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q |
What can I do to minimize lamp hum? |
| A. |
Occasionally, lamps may generate noise when dimmed. This noise
is caused by vibration of the lamp filament as the dimmer rapidly
switches the lamp on. Lamp buzz, if it occurs,, is generally noisiest
at the mid-range (50%) dimming level. We suggest the following solutions:
- Select another brand of lamp or use lower wattage lamps (100W
or less)
- Use rough service lamps
- Use a physically smaller lamp
- Install a lamp debuzzing coil in the lighting circuit
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can I use a 3-way dimmer in a single-pole application? |
| A. |
Yes.
If a product purchased as a 3-way control needs to be used in a
single-pole application, cap of one of the traveler wires with a
wire connector.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can I use a 3-way dimmer in the 4-way switch location? |
| A. |
No.
3-way dimmers may only be located in either of the 3-way switch
position.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
Can I use a standard 3-way switch with a multi-location
dimmer? |
| A. |
No.
Multi-location dimmers do use standard 3-way wiring, but make use
of one wire for communications while the other carries the load
current. A 3-way switch is not compatible with this configuration.
Back to top |
| |
|
| Q. |
How do I tell magnetic and electronic low-voltage
tranformers apart? |
| A. |
Transformers may have magnetic (core and coil, toroidal) or electronic
(solid-state) clearly indicated on the product. However, this is
not a required marking and will not be found on all products.
The best way to determine transformer type is to contact the manufacturer.
A hint of the transformer construction can often be found in the
transformer's weight.
Magnetic (coil and coil, toroidal) transformers are often heavy
for their size.
Electronic (solid-state) transformers tend to be smaller and are
often light for their size.
Back to top |
