Dimmers - You thought they were simple

54 года назад

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Dimming your LED lights can be challenging. There are many practical challenges to dimming lights, from incandescent bulbs to modern LED Christmas lights to Christmas lights with built-in drivers. We test various dimming methods, including TRIAC-based and PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimmers, to see how they fare with different types of bulbs including non-dimmable LEDs, dimmable LEDs, and traditional incandescent bulbs.
Discover the surprising realities of how dimmers interact with different lights, the intricacies of voltage changes, and the effects on LED bulbs. We also tackle the unique scenario of dimming LED Christmas lights with built-in LED drivers, providing insights and solutions to common dimming challenges.

Whether you're setting up your home lighting or navigating the complexities of Christmas decorations, this video is packed with practical tests, easy-to-understand explanations, and valuable tips for anyone looking to understand and master the art of lighting dimming.
Don't miss out on our hands-on tests and findings that could revolutionize your approach to home lighting. Watch now for an illuminating journey through the world of dimmers!

For Your Reference:

PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) dimmers work by rapidly switching the LED on and off at a frequency that is typically not perceptible to the human eye. The perceived brightness is controlled by varying the ratio of the "on" time to the "off" time (duty cycle). This method does not actually change the voltage or current but controls brightness by varying the amount of time the LED is turned on.

The PWM Dimmer featured in this video: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVR5G73J/

TRIAC dimmers operate based on the principle of phase-cut dimming, which involves altering parts of the AC power waveform to control the brightness of lights, typically incandescent bulbs. These dimmers use a TRIAC (Triode for Alternating Current) semiconductor device to chop either the leading or trailing edge of the AC waveform. The leading-edge dimming is more common with traditional resistive loads like incandescent bulbs, while trailing-edge dimming is designed for capacitive loads such as LEDs. By adjusting the portion of the waveform that is delivered to the light, the TRIAC dimmer effectively reduces the total energy supplied, resulting in dimming.
However, TRIAC dimmers were originally designed for incandescent bulbs and can encounter compatibility issues with LED lights. Since LEDs have different electrical characteristics, using a TRIAC dimmer with them can lead to problems like flickering, buzzing, or an incomplete dimming range. This mismatch arises because TRIAC dimmers are not optimized for the low power and electronic nature of LED lighting, making them less suitable for modern LED applications.

LED dimmers are specifically engineered to control the brightness of LED lights, which require a different approach compared to incandescent bulbs. The most common method used in LED dimming is Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM), where the power is rapidly switched on and off at a high frequency. The perceived brightness is controlled by adjusting the duty cycle, which is the ratio of the "on" time to the "off" time. Another method, less common in residential settings, is Constant Current Reduction (CCR), which directly regulates the current supplied to the LEDs, ensuring a constant light output.

Unlike TRIAC dimmers, LED dimmers are designed to be compatible with the electronic characteristics of LEDs, providing smooth and efficient dimming. They prevent issues like flickering or reduced lifespan, which can occur when LEDs are used with inappropriate dimming technology. LED dimmers cater to the specific needs of LED lighting, ensuring that they function at optimal efficiency and brightness levels, making them the preferred choice for modern LED lighting applications.

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