Adjustable LED lighting. Change the brightness of the LEDs or a controller with your own hands. Dimmer connection diagrams

Every radio amateur is familiar with the NE555 microcircuit (analogue of KR1006). Its versatility allows you to design a wide variety of homemade products: from a simple one-shot pulse generator with two elements in a strap to a multi-component modulator. This article will consider the circuit for switching on a timer in the mode of a square-wave generator with pulse-width control.

Scheme and principle of its work

With the development of high-power LEDs, NE555 re-entered the arena as a dimmer, recalling its undeniable advantages. Devices based on it do not require deep knowledge of electronics, are assembled quickly and work reliably.

It is known that there are two ways to control the brightness of an LED: analog and pulse. The first method involves changing the amplitude of the constant current through the LED. This method has one significant drawback - low efficiency. The second method involves changing the pulse width (duty cycle) of the current with a frequency from 200 Hz to several kilohertz. At these frequencies, LED flickering is invisible to the human eye. The diagram of a PWM regulator with a powerful output transistor is shown in the figure. It is capable of operating from 4.5 to 18 V, which indicates the ability to control the brightness of both one powerful LED and an entire LED strip. The brightness adjustment range ranges from 5 to 95%. The device is a modified version of a square-wave generator. The frequency of these pulses depends on the capacitance C1 and the resistances R1, R2 and is determined by the formula: f \u003d 1 / (ln2 * (R1 + 2 * R2) * C1), Hz

The principle of operation of the electronic dimmer is as follows. At the moment the supply voltage is applied, the capacitor begins to charge along the circuit: + Usup - R2 - VD1 –R1 –C1 - -U supply. As soon as the voltage on it reaches the level of 2 / 3U, the internal timer transistor will open and the discharge process will begin. The discharge starts from the upper plate C1 and further along the circuit: R1 - VD2 –7 IC pin - -U pit. Having reached the 1 / 3U mark, the timer power transistor will close and C1 will start gaining capacity again. In the future, the process is repeated cyclically, forming rectangular pulses at pin 3.

Changing the resistance of the trimmer leads to a decrease (increase) in the pulse time at the output of the timer (pin 3), and as a result, the average value of the output signal decreases (increases). The formed sequence of pulses through the current-limiting resistor R3 is fed to the gate VT1, which is connected according to a common source circuit. The load in the form of an LED strip or high-power LEDs connected in series is included in the open circuit of the VT1 drain circuit.

In this case, a powerful MOSFET transistor with a maximum drain current of 13A is installed. This allows you to control the glow of an LED strip several meters long. However, the transistor may require a heat sink.

The blocking capacitor C2 eliminates the influence of noise that can occur along the power circuit at the moments of timer switching. Its capacity can be any value in the range of 0.01-0.1 μF.

Dimmer board and assembly parts

The single-sided printed circuit board has a size of 22x24 mm. As you can see from the figure, there is nothing superfluous on it that could raise questions.

After assembly, the PWM dimmer circuit does not require adjustment, and the printed circuit board is easy to manufacture with your own hands. In addition to the trimming resistor, the board uses SMD elements.

  • DA1 - IC NE555;
  • VT1 - field-effect transistor IRF7413;
  • VD1, VD2 - 1N4007;
  • R1 - 50 kOhm, trimmer;
  • R2, R3 - 1 kΩ;
  • C1 - 0.1 μF;
  • C2 - 0.01 μF.

The VT1 transistor should be selected depending on the load power. For example, to change the brightness of a one-watt LED, a bipolar transistor with a maximum permissible collector current of 500 mA will be sufficient.

The brightness control of the LED strip should be carried out from a +12 V voltage source and coincide with its supply voltage. Ideally, the regulator should be powered from a regulated power supply specifically designed for tape.

The load in the form of individual high-power LEDs is powered differently. In this case, a current regulator (also called a driver for an LED) serves as a power source for the dimmer. Its rated output current must match the current of the LEDs connected in series.

Read the same

It is not difficult to adjust the brightness of the lighting in a room where a chandelier with several incandescent lamps is installed. We take a switch for several buttons and, if necessary, turn on or off some of the lamps.

Even if the chandelier is designed for one lamp, its brightness can be changed over a wide range by increasing or decreasing the supplied voltage. The LED works in a very narrow voltage range and when it drops, it simply goes out.

To change the brightness of LED lamps, a dimmer is used, which is a PWM controller (a controller with pulse width modulation of power).

Principle of pole-width modulation (PWM)

Changes in the power of the supply voltage when using a PWM controller is provided due to the supply of signals with a varying duty cycle to the switching element (in the case of LEDs, a field-effect transistor, triac or dinistor).

Bore (S) - the ratio between the pulse duration and the pause between them.

S \u003d T / T1, where T is the period of the pulses, T1 is the period of the positive edge.

In a PWM controller, the pulses follow at a constant frequency, only the duration of the pauses changes.

Below is a schematic diagram of a PWM controller:

Increasing the pulse width increases the time it takes for the current to flow through the transistor to the load, and therefore the passed current. The pulse repetition rate is much higher than that which the eye is able to catch, usually 100-200 Hz, so we do not feel LED flickering. The advantage of load regulators based on PWM controllers is a significantly higher efficiency compared to resistive ones, since the excess load is extinguished, not consumed.

Connecting a dimmer to the LED lamp power circuit

There are two connection options:

  1. Connection diagram in front of the power driver when AC voltage is dimmed;
  2. Connection after power driver, with PWM constant voltage regulation.

Industrial options for dimmers for LED lamps

Dimmer Control Type:

  • Infrared;
  • Radio;
  • Stationary.

Controlled voltage:

  • 220V.

Dimmer mounted instead of a switch, with a remote control. They are usually installed when converting ordinary lighting with incandescent lamps to LED strips.

Dimmer installed in front of the power driver LEDs on remote control with infrared control.

Sample with radio control... Unlike an infrared transmitter, such a remote control is able to turn on lighting even from the street.

Samples are produced with mechanical or touch control. There are even models that allow you to control the lighting using your smartphone via WiFi.

The main disadvantage of all devices is the rather high price.

If you have no desire to overpay for unnecessary functions, making a dimmer for 220v LED lamps with your own hands is not at all difficult.

Do-it-yourself dimmer assembly

Triac circuit:

In this circuit, the master oscillator is built on two triacs, a VS1 triac and a VS2 diak. After switching on the circuit, the capacitors begin to charge through the resistor chain. When the voltage across the capacitor reaches the opening voltage of the triac, current begins to flow through them, and the capacitor is discharged. The lower the resistance of the resistor, the faster the capacitor is charged, the less the duty cycle of the pulses.

Changing the resistance of the variable resistor adjusts the gate depth over a wide range. This circuit can be used not only for LEDs, but also for any network load.

Connecting a dimmer as a switch

AC connection diagram:

The N555 microcircuit is an analog-digital timer. Its most important advantage is its ability to operate in a wide range of supply voltage. Ordinary microcircuits with TTL logic operate from 5V, and their logical unit is 2.4V. CMOS series are more high voltage.

But the generator circuit with the ability to change the duty cycle turns out to be quite cumbersome. Also, for microcircuits with standard logic, increasing the frequency reduces the voltage of the output signal, which does not make it possible to switch powerful field-effect transistors and is suitable only for low-power loads.

The timer on the N555 chip is ideal for PWM controllers, since it allows you to simultaneously adjust both the frequency and the duty cycle. The output voltage is about 70% of the supply voltage, due to which it can be controlled even by Mosfet field-effect transistors with a current of up to 9A. With an extremely low cost of the parts used, the assembly costs will be 40-50 rubles.

And this circuit will allow you to control a 220V load with a power up to 30W:

The ICEA2A microcircuit after a little modification can be painlessly replaced with the less scarce N555. Difficulty may cause the need to self-wind the transformer. You can wind the windings on a regular W-shaped frame from an old burnt-out 50-100W transformer. The first winding is 100 turns of enameled wire, diameter 0.224mm. The second winding is 34 turns with a 0.75mm wire (the cross-sectional area can be reduced to 0.5mm), the third winding is 8 turns with a 0.224 - 0.3mm wire.

Dimmer on thyristors and dinistors

LED dimmer 220V with a load up to 2A:

This is a two-bridge half-wave circuit consisting of two mirror stages. Each half-wave of voltage passes through its own thyristor-dinistor chain. The duty cycle is regulated by a variable resistor and capacitor.

When a certain charge on the capacitor is reached, it opens a dinistor through which current flows to the control thyristor. When the polarity of the half-wave changes, the process is repeated in the second chain.

Dimmer for LED strip

Dimmer circuit for LED strip on an integrated stabilizer of the KREN series.

In the classic circuit for connecting a voltage stabilizer, the stabilization value is set by a resistor connected to the control input. Adding a capacitor C2 and a variable resistor to the circuit turns the stabilizer into a kind of comparator.

The advantage of the circuit is that it combines both a power driver and a dimmer at once, so the connection does not require additional circuits. The disadvantage is that with a large number of LEDs, the stabilizer will generate significant heat, which requires the installation of a powerful radiator.

How to connect a dimmer to an LED strip depends on the dimming task. Connecting in front of the LED power supply driver will allow you to adjust only the overall illumination, and if you assemble several dimmers for the LED with your own hands and install them on each section of the LED strip after the power supply, it will be possible to adjust the zone lighting.

Dimmer with a fixed brightness level

Resistors nominal 100-500 kOhm, power 1-2 W.

It's not even a dimer, since there is no PWM controller here. But it is ideal for those who have picked up a soldering iron for the first time.

Ecology of consumption. Home: Dimmers not only bring convenience to the environment, but also help to save up to 30% of electricity

After the appearance of incandescent lamps, manufacturers almost immediately came up with a device that would regulate their brightness. The first dimmers were a device that absorbed electricity. Today everything is much simpler. On the market, you can find a wide range of this product that you will definitely like. LED dimmers are also considered common and are used for LED downlights.

In this article, you will find detailed information about their device. As of today, these products may include a number of features that will make your life easier. In this article, you will learn how to choose the right dimmer for your LED lamps?

Compatibility of LED bulbs with dimmers

You should never confuse an LED bulb with simple LEDs. The LED lamp is an independent device that you just need to connect to electricity. Its main similarities with other products are:

  1. The LED lamp also has a standard E-base - threaded.
  2. You can easily connect these products in your home. You can use it to work in a standard electrical network.
  3. The luminous flux of this device also bears similarities to conventional lamps.

The LED lamp will primarily consist of a diode diffuser. These devices can also have different capacities. In order to find out which dimmer for LED lamps is best, you will need to know the lamp power. When purchasing this product, you should definitely see what the manufacturer indicates on this device. In order to easily adjust the brightness of the lighting in a standard lighting system, LED dimmers were invented. Also, the LED lamp must have this function. The manufacturer usually indicates this on their packaging. Here's what the packaging might say:

  • There is a possibility of brightness adjustment.
  • The device is "Dimmable".
  • The luminaire supports the Dimmable function.

Also, those lamps that support this function have an inscription on the box, which can be seen in the photo below.


These lamps already have a dimming function. That is why you can easily control it even with a conventional dimmer. Dimmable lamps are much more expensive than conventional products. But here you can save on the use of dimmers. A dimmer for LED lamps will cost significantly more, since it has a special PWM adjustment in its design.

Popular LED dimmers for 220 volts

LED dimmers today can have a huge assortment. Also, dimmers can be divided according to the type of installation:

Modular dimmers for LED lamps are installed in distribution boards. These devices can not only adjust brightness, but also perform a wide variety of other functions. You can easily control this device using the external regulator.

Usually, these devices are produced only for driving LED lamps. In domestic conditions, they are rarely used, since they have a high price.

Monoblock dimmers for LED lamps are also considered a fairly common product. This type is considered the most common.

You can install it instead of a regular lamp. In order for you to be able to control the LED lamp with this device, you need the PWM function.

LED dimmers can also vary in the way they are controlled. Here are their main varieties:

  1. Swivel. The control process will take place with a handle.
  2. Rotary-push. The control process in this device will take place by pressing and turning the handle.
  3. Keyboards. By pressing the keys, you can increase or decrease the brightness of the lighting.
  4. Sensory. These products are considered more modern. With their help, you can also take advantage of other functions.


The dimmer circuit for LED lamps is the same as that of other products. In the photo below you can see this diagram.


LED dimmers and lamp compatibility

Not every dimmer can work with LED lamps. In order to carry out you need either a conventional dimmer for special lamps or a dimmer that has a PWM function. But there are other problems as well. For example, some companies produce LED bulbs that can only work with a specific dimmer. Usually sellers of these products should have special tables to help determine compatibility.

When choosing a dimmer, you also need to consider its power. Here are some tips to help you make the right calculations.

But the best method for testing is the empirical method. To do this, come to the store with a lamp and check its operation.

Using dimmers

LED dimmers today have a fairly wide range of applications. Here are the main problems that can be solved with a dimmer:

  1. With their help, you can easily organize a flexible lighting system. Also, the dimmer will help to divide the room into certain zones with the help of light.
  2. With its help, you can easily organize a design solution.
  1. Modern devices have a fairly high efficiency. The PWM principle avoids overheating and noise emission.
  2. Their use significantly increases the level of comfort.

LED dimmers can also be integrated with the Smart Home system. This allows the implementation of various lighting systems. The only drawback that can be distinguished is the price of these devices.

findings

  1. The use of these devices is considered fully justified due to their cost effectiveness.
  2. The most effective way to adjust the brightness is the PWM system.
  3. When choosing these products, it is better to give your preference to well-known brands.
  4. Before proceeding with the installation, it is better to additionally check their bunch.

Almost immediately, with the appearance of a conventional incandescent lamp, a device for controlling lamps appeared - this is a dimmer. It has become the most used in conjunction with LED lamps. Thanks to this technology, it is possible to adjust the luminous flux in a fairly wide range. With the development of dimmers, in addition to adjusting the intensity of light, added the ability to turn on and off the light on a timer. It became possible to control the lamps remotely using the remote control.

A dimmer is a high-tech electronic regulator that can increase the comfort of using lamps in your home or apartment. Dimming the lighting in your apartment will help you keep up with the times.

Varieties and their features

Do not mix a regular LED or LED strip with an LED light bulb. These are completely different things. An ordinary LED for operation requires suitable conditions, a light bulb, in turn, is a ready-made device that has its own programmed driver. It is capable of operating from any light source, can be combined with any luminaire, thanks to its standard E27 base and similar.

You can often find LED bulbs with a built-in dimming function. When buying, you should check with the seller, or carefully examine the packaging. This designation is located next to the required voltage indicator (for example, near the 12 Volt indicator).

Manufacturers often indicate the possibility of dimming a light bulb with the following markings:

  • The characteristics include the item "brightness adjustment".
  • The word dimmable is added to the name.
  • If the light is made abroad, then look for the Dimmable inscription.

Such lamps are configured to work with dimmers. The driver controls the strength of the supplied current, and, depending on this, changes the level of the emitted luminous flux. Adjustable lamps can work not only with specialized dimmers, but also with conventional ones. Which allows you to save. The lamp itself, of course, costs a little more than a simple LED, but this is offset by the lower cost of the dimmer. Regulators can work with lamps of any power, 12, 220 volts and others.

Dimmers are classified according to several indicators: in combination with lamps, type of installation, method of adjustment.

In combination with lamps there are:

  1. For energy saving (there are very few lamps that support this function).
  2. For halogen lamps.
  3. Compatible with conventional incandescent bulbs.
  4. Used in conjunction with LEDs.

The use of the regulator helps to significantly save energy and your money on room lighting. With the right choice, the LED lamp and dimmer consume very little energy at all.

There are also universal devices that can independently select the desired type of dimming in automatic mode, but they are less reliable and their use in most cases is unprofitable.

Three types of installation are distinguished:

  • Switchboard - installed in the switchboard. They are also called modular.
  • Instrumentation - installation is performed in a box for mounting.
  • Wall-mounted - installed instead of a standard switch. This type is the most convenient and the most common. They are easy to install and replace, which increases their popularity.

By type of control:

  1. Rotary - adjustable by turning the switch.
  2. Keyboards - controlled by pressing keys.
  3. Sensory - one of the dimmers of which the sensor is the active zone.

Criterias of choice

Of course, when choosing a dimmer for your needs, you should take into account some nuances so that it works without any problems. First and foremost is the compatibility of the regulator with your lamps. Since for each type of lamp, a specialized and suitable device is needed.

Selection criteria for different types of lamps

Today, there are many manufacturers on the market that produce equipment for dimming LED lamps. The most popular among them are three favorites Legrand, Schneider and Makel.

Dimmers Legrand produce different powers from 300 to 1000 watts. They can also be combined with lamps designed for 12 and 220 volts. The price indicator is also different. Regulators designed to work with 12 volt lamps cost from 1400 rubles. And the cost of more powerful ones reaches 3000. Of course, the price of Legrand dimmers depends on the type of device, for example, a touchscreen will cost much more than a keyboard.

Also, when choosing a dimmir for your home, it is worth considering its appearance, whether it will harmoniously fit into the interior, whether it will be convenient for you to use a keyboard or whether you should give preference to remote control. Of course, such a comfortable device will cost you a little more, and its installation can be more difficult than conventional models.

When buying, keep in your favorites just branded brands, such as Legrand, as they have managed to establish themselves in a price-quality ratio. Legrand provides a wide range from which you can easily choose a dimmer for lamps for 220, 12 volts and others. It is very easy to calculate the required power of the regulator. Let's say you have 12 12 W bulbs, the total power will be 144 W.

Thus, you need a dimmer capable of delivering 144 watts of power to your light bulbs. About 20% of the margin must be added to the total power so that it can withstand unexpected overloads.

Those who have already tried and installed a dimmer in their home, of course, will say that it is really and convenient. It can significantly save energy and add convenience to the apartment. With its help, you can safely set up soft lighting for reading or watching a movie, or to light up the room as much as possible during a feast. Having spent money on a dimming device, you will not regret the money spent.

Summarize

Buying a dimmer is not cheap, but thanks to it you will really improve your apartment and keep up with the times. Legrand branded manufacturers will help you make this happen.

Calculation method when choosing

A variety of their products will help you choose a regulator for both 12 and 220 volt bulbs. What's more, dimming a room will help add a touch of flavor to your interior and make it special by playing with lighting.

The ability to change the brightness of lighting and create different lighting scenarios becomes as necessary for a modern home as connecting to the mains or the Internet. Therefore, it is recommended to install luminous flux regulators or dimmers for LEDs with each update of the wiring in the apartment.

Dimmer functions

The functionality of the dimmers depends on the complexity of the device. The simplest ones, which you can do yourself, are used only for stepwise or smooth changes in the intensity of the lamp glow. More modern models equipped with microcontrollers can perform other tasks:

  • Fine tuning of lighting. The dimmer helps to adjust the comfortable brightness of lighting fixtures depending on the intensity of natural light throughout the day, the orientation of the room to the cardinal points, the design of the window opening, the habits and preferences of the owners. This is much more convenient than choosing lamps of the required power for each group of lamps.
  • Automatic shutdown at a specified time. This feature saves the host from having to check every room before going to bed / going out and helps reduce electricity bills.
  • Saving money on lamps. Working in a reduced brightness mode, LED and incandescent lamps are able to perform their functions 3-5 times longer than planned.
  • Simulation of host presence. The device turns on and off, and also changes the brightness of the lamps connected to it, imitating the actions of people living in the house. The program is designed specifically for those who regularly leave their homes and are afraid of the penetration of burglars.
  • Remote control of light: via remote control, voice commands, application on a smartphone. This is convenient not only in large rooms, but also in bedrooms, when you don't want to get out of bed in the evening.

Dimmers can be installed either for a single lamp / chandelier or for a group of lamps. More often, a separate dimmer is provided for each group of lighting fixtures for each functional area.

In addition to living rooms, devices of this type are supplied to concert venues, theater halls, circus arenas and other rooms where smooth control of lighting is necessary for visual effect.

How does a dimmer for LEDs work?

The principle of operation of the device is based on changing the current voltage in such a way as to cut off the leading ("control on the leading edge") or trailing ("control on the trailing edge") front of the AC sinusoid ("phase cut-off principle"). Thus, when dimmed to 50%, the lamp uses only half of its power.

The leading edge dimming is used with low voltage lamps, fluorescent and LED lamps for 230V, complete with electromagnetic type transformers. Trailing edge dimming is used for the same lamps in tandem with electronic transformers.

The task is performed using a rheostat or a complex of electronic elements. Dimmers of the rheostat type are characterized by low efficiency (efficiency) and, when the lighting is lowered, do not reduce energy consumption, therefore they are gradually becoming obsolete. Electronic dimmers work through the use of a bi-directional thyristor and a PWM (pulse width modulation) system, which delay the load activation signal. There is no delay when operating at full power; at 10% luminance it is 9 milliseconds. Thus, the dimmed lamp is constantly switched off and switched on with a short delay.

For normal operation, the device is equipped with overheating and short-circuit protection.

The dimmer is able to prevent damage to the lamp with regular voltage drops.

Comparing the advantages and disadvantages

pros Minuses
Reduce the energy consumption of the premises.Are expensive, especially programmable models with touch and remote control.
They extend the life of the lamps by reducing the intensity of operation, as well as smooth starting when turned on.Lead to malfunctions and destruction of lamps if the devices are selected incorrectly.
Protect the room from outside intrusion.Low-end devices generate electromagnetic interference that degrades the performance of radio devices.
Provide decorative effect and eye-pleasing illumination in any room.Not suitable for use with fluorescent / energy saving / halogen lamps, since the latter are equipped with a compensation system for a stable glow.
They make the lighting design of the room more interesting and variable.If the load on the dimer becomes less than the minimum allowable (for example, the incandescent lamp was replaced with an LED), the device will quickly deteriorate without the possibility of replacement under warranty.

If you decide to use a dimmer in your home or office, try not to skimp on appliances and use the advice of a sales assistant to find the best dimmers and lamps that match each other. Then you are guaranteed to avoid unpleasant effects.

Varieties and characteristics of dimmers for LED lamps

When buying a dimmer, keep in mind that the devices for incandescent bulbs, energy-saving lamps and LEDs differ. Therefore, you need to take either a specialized device or select LED lamps with the "DIMMABLE" / circular icon under the standard one.

This icon on the box means that the LED lamp will work with a universal dimmer. The minimum luminance level may or may not be indicated

Demonstration of work with different types of lamps

Classification of regulators

Depending on the principle of control of devices, dimmers for LED lamps are:

  • Rotary-push... The most common type of dimers, such devices are easy to operate, have a low price and a simple design. The controls are intuitive: the brightness is changed by turning the knob, turning on / off is done by pressing. Users appreciate the ability to turn lights on and off without changing the selected brightness setting.
  • Keyboards... Devices resemble conventional switches, which allows you to choose the most suitable dimmers, switches and sockets. The desired degree of brightness is set with the +/- key, switching on and off - with the I / O button (or a key without an inscription).
  • Sensory... The devices are controlled using a tactilely sensitive screen, on which auxiliary information can be displayed. Dimmers of this type are distinguished by their actual, sometimes even futuristic design, therefore they are often installed in modern interiors.
  • Remote... Such devices are not installed in the direct access zone of the user, they are mounted near the lamp or in the electrical panel of the apartment. Control is carried out using a remote control or from any gadget via WiFi (you need to download and install the appropriate application).

Choosing the right type of dimmer depends on your convenience, the design of the room and the budget allocated for the appliances.

Devices are also classified according to the installation method:

  • Modular are designed for installation in a distribution board on a DIN rail (next to circuit breakers). Such devices can be mounted or replaced at any time, it is only necessary to provide a separate wire for it during repairs.
  • Wall-mounted are installed in the same way as sockets and switches directly in the room, where the luminous flux will be regulated. Installation is carried out at the end of the repair, simultaneously with the specified devices. It is very difficult to add such a dimmer after renovation, since it will require wall chasing and destruction of the topcoat.
  • Remote control units look like miniature (2–3 cm long) units with three control sensors. Since they can be remotely controlled, they are installed under a suspended / stretch ceiling next to the chandelier or inside the lighting fixture body. Dimmers of this type can be mounted simultaneously with the luminaire (walls do not need to be channeled, so no repair work is required).

If you are planning to equip a smart home system, modular models are suitable for you; planning renovations without a smart home - prefer wall ones; if the repair has already been done, only external ones can be installed without risk for finishing.

Popular dimmer manufacturers

  • Legrand (Legrand). The French company offers products of European quality, certified in accordance with GOST. Advantages of Legrand dimmers: ease of installation, reliable operation, attractive design (colors: ivory, white, aluminum). The manufacturer offers models of rotary, push-button and touch types.
  • Schneider Electric (Schneider Electric). The German manufacturer is known for the quality and high reliability of its dimmers. Several series of devices have been developed with different designs and seven color variations. The devices are equipped with mounting tabs and rails to facilitate the installation procedure.
  • Makel (Makel). The Turkish brand has a more loyal pricing policy than European manufacturers. Craftsmen recommend using devices of this brand in areas with low load, where they demonstrate sufficient reliability.

Each manufacturer attaches information to their dimmers about their compatibility with various types of lighting devices. It is usually provided by brand representatives or point of sale consultants.

How to choose a device

When choosing a dimmer, it is necessary to take into account the following parameters:

  1. Planned load (total power of connected lamps). In the documentation for the dimmer, the load power of the device is indicated, it must be one third more than the sum of the powers of the fixtures that it controls. It is no longer worth making a reserve of power, as this will damage the dimmer.
  2. Mains voltage. LED luminaires are designed for 220V or 12V circuits (work through a transformer). Dimmers for them are produced differently, so make sure that the box is marked with 220V.
  3. Lighting Compatible. The instructions for the device should say that it works with LED lamps (not diodes or ribbons), and not with incandescent lamps.

The choice of dimmer by type of installation and brand is described above. For maximum compatibility of devices, we recommend buying a set of dimmers and lamps at the same time and check their joint work in the store.

DIY connection

Installing a dimmer is not difficult for an ordinary electrician and even a person who is only slightly familiar with such work. To connect a remote dimmer, it is enough to connect the wires by connecting one side to the wiring, and the opposite side to the lamp (so that "phase" and "zero" are not mixed up, all wires are marked). Modular, as already mentioned, are mounted on a DIN rail in the electrical panel. It is better to entrust this work to a professional, so as not to accidentally disrupt the work of neighboring elements.

The installation procedure for the wall controller is the same as for a conventional wall outlet. Let's describe in more detail the rules of work and safety requirements:

  • determine the phase wire with an indicator screwdriver;
  • turn off the power supply to the room / apartment (depending on the capabilities of the dashboard);
  • connect the phase conductor and the dimmer wire with the "L" marker, and connect the zero wire to the wire marked "N". This can be done by twisting (provides a larger contact area of \u200b\u200bthe conductors) or special clamps (more convenient and faster, especially for beginners).
  • place the device in the socket and adjust its position using the adjusting bolts;
  • install the decorative cover;
  • plug in power and experiment.

If your dimmer allows you to turn on / off the light, it is placed instead of the standard switch; if the model supports only the mode of changing the degree of illumination, it is mounted in series with the switch (in front of it).

Detailed instructions for connecting a dimmer (video)

With this knowledge, you can easily find a suitable dimmer and independently make your home more comfortable and technically advanced.