Lighting – Dimmers

Dimmer technology has evolved consistently since the harnessing of electricity. 

Resistance Dimmers (varying the electrical resistance introduced into a circuit between power supply and lighting equipment). These can be lever operated, or by a wheel, or can be motorised. Wasteful of energy because as the resistance increases, the amount of power going to the lamp in the lantern is reduced, and the excess is lost as heat. 

Electronic Dimmers – The electrical power is reduced by chopping the electrical waveform – far less wasteful of energy, but introduced interference on the electrical supply due to the rapid switching on and off of the current. 

• Thyratron Dimmers
• Thyristor Dimmers

Digital Dimmers (Strand 1990)

Sinewave Dimmers – The electrical power is reduced by changing the amplitude of the alternating current sine wave. 

Technology Brief - Sinewave Dimmer Technology 230V 
[163kb PDF]

Technology Brief - Sinewave Dimmer Technology 110V 
[163kb PDF]
From Strand Archive

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Keywords: history lighting controls and dimmers, history of dimmers, dimmer technology, history of lighting dimmers