ISSUE 21 1984 25

Dimmers
Although dimmers are becoming more widely used,
their selection and use in particular applications
does not always match up with their specification.
All too often customers become dissatisfied with their
unit, not as a result of its design or poor construction,
but because it has been used in a situation totally
unsuited to the product. This article is intended as an
introduction to the principles behind lighting control,
outlining briefly the types of dimmers available from
manufacturers at the present time.
by Andrew Penfold

The technique used for dimming lamps more high-powered systems, and, where Triggering either of these devices
in domestic, commercial and industrial applications include the driving of in- into conduction at various angles into
environments is fundamentally the ductive loads. However, its relatively the half-cycle generates a tremendous
same in each situation, but varies in low cost compared with a thyristor amount of radiofrequency interference
approach according to the overall cost, pair of equal rating leads to it being (RFI). If not adequately suppressed,
versatility and reliability of the system used mainly in domestic and some this interference will travel throughout
required. The theoretical principle is smaller industrial dimming applications. the cable and radiate into the surround-
one of phase control, i.e. the switching
on of the AC mains cycle at differing
phase angles into each half cycle, re-
sulting in a variation of the RMS power
driving to load (see Fig. 1). To achieve
this, a solid-state electronic device is
used, for which two forms are
commonly employed.
The first of these solid-state devices
is a thyristor or silicon-controlled
rectifier (SCR). Fundamentally, this is
a three-terminal unidirectional switch.
It may be triggered on by applying a
positive potential to the gate (Fig. 2a).
The device turns itself off when the
load current passing through falls near
to zero, i.e. when the AC cycle
changes polarity. Employing one of
these devices will only give half-wave
control. To achieve a full-wave control,
two thyristors must be used in a back-
to-back configuration (Fig. 2b).
The second type of solid-state
device used in the manufacture of
dimmers is the triac. This is a bidirec-
tional three-terminal device capable of
Fig. 1 Phase-control principle used in dimming
being triggered on by either positive or
negative potentials applied to the gate,
regardless of AC polarity (Fig. 2c). As
with the thyristor, when the current
flowing is close to zero the triac
switches off, blocking the flow path
until retriggered.
Some of the inherent characteristics
of the triac are undesirable for use in
Andrew Penfold is Technical Director of
R. Hamilton & Co. Ltd., Unit G, Quarry
Industrial Estate, Mere, Warminster, Wilts
BA12 6LA Fig. 2 Devices used: (a) thyristor, {b) thyristor pair, (c) triac
 WIRING — INSTALLATIONS — SUPPLIES

Touch pad dimmer from R. Hamilton and Adam design polished brass rotary dimmer High-wattage dimmer available in Vh and
Co.'s Touchlight Range,
2% kW having rotary dimming control
with separate 20A on/off switch and easily
accessible fuse. Manufactured by Hamilton
Litestat.

ings, causing problems with radio Domestic wall-plate dimmers potential of the diac reaches a level
equipment, televisions, PA systems called the holding voltage Vh. At the
and control equipment. The simplest and most cost-effective end of the half-cycle the triac switches
To reduce this interference to a design involves the use of a relaxation- off. As a result, the RC network
reasonable level an inductor-capacitor type oscillator connected to the gate charges from Vh to Vb, when again
network has to be used (Fig. 3). Regu- of the triac via a breakover device the triac is triggered on. The time
lations exist stating the maximum level called a diac (Fig. 4). The trigger constant of the oscillator can be varied
of radiated RFI, such as BS 800 or potential is applied in the form of a by adjustment of the potentiometer,
VDE 0875, which must be strictly pulse. Power for the timing circuit is and so with correct selection of the
adhered to. By careful selection of the derived from the AC supply. At the component values a smooth continuous
component values and combinational beginning of the cycle the RC network dimming function is possible, down to
arrangement these figures can be met. charges up until it reaches the break- a minimum level dictated by the limit-
The main difference between the over voltage Vb of the diac. At this ations of the circuit design.
various types of dimming circuit is the point the diac switches on, discharging This form of dimmer is the most
way in which the trigger pulse or the capacitors through the gate of the common type used for domestic wall
potential is derived and applied to the triac, triggering it into conduction. switches and the cheaper local control
device. The discharge continues until the industrial ranges. It has the advantage
of being compact enough to fit into a
deep wall box without the need for
alterations to wiring when replacing an
existing switch.
One of the major trends in the
field of electrical accessories has been
the move away from the standard
white plastic face plate and the more
widespread use of decorative face
plates. The author's own company,
R. Hamilton and Co., produces a wide
selection of decorative face plate
designs, both period and modern.
Finishes include polished brass, antique
bronze, mirror and satin chrome, as
Fig. 3 Typical suppression network well as coloured dimmers and electrical
accessories. Its domestic dimmers
handle loads from 40 W to 2-5 kW.
The majority of dimmers for
domestic use have a rotary dimming
function, implemented by a poten-
tiometer mounted on the plate, de-
creasing the light level when turned in
an anticlockwise direction. However,
two types of switching mechanisms are
available to isolate the dimmer from
the load, the first having a rotary
action, giving positive 'off' switching
at the fully anticlockwise position of
the control knob. The second alterna-
tive is the push switch, activated by
depressing and releasing the control
knob. This enables the user to switch
the unit on or off without altering the
| 1 ^ | " 4 i%*3?S; J.' : -t^ level set by the potentiometer.
The dimmer units themselves are
manufactured in a modular form.
Fig. 4 Simple phase-control circuit
Multigang plates can be supplied to
ISSUE 21 1984 27

Two-channel preset outstation, showing Mercury Litestat wall (or surface) mounted 6-, 8-, 9- and 12-gang dimmers and switches
four 'buttons' per channel for lighting levels master unit with three preset lighting levels in Georgian and Edwardian designs, made
3, 2 , 1 and off, for use with the Mercury from high-quality cast brass lacquered to
Litestat system prevent tarnishing

accommodate particular requirements DC voltage range may be generated in generate the pulse until the device
where more than one dimmer is an unlimited number of ways, making latches, or to maintain the gate poten-
desirable. These are now available in this system very versatile. The dimmer tial for the remainder of the half-cycle,
a variety of decorative finishes and are unit itself can be placed in a more taking care not to continue conduction
particularly suitable for contract use suitable location, such as a switch into the next one. This technique is
in hotels and restaurants, for example. room, cabinet or constructional void, known as 'hard firing' and is now be-
The only limitation on the number of away from areas where heat and coming standard for commercial
dimmer modules allowable on one mechanical noise generated from the systems.
plate is the total amount of heat which SCR and suppression network would Another problem associated with
has to be dissipated from the exposed create an environmental problem. the current lag concerns the choice of
surface; bearing in mind that the user Generation of the triggering poten- power device. A triac has the tendency
will have to touch the plate to operate tial involves the use of an electronic to retrigger itself at the end of each
the dimmer. For practical reasons, any interface circuit to interpret the half-cycle due to the potential de-
plate should not have a combined 0-10 V DC input. Most manufacturers veloped across it at the time of
loading in excess of 3 kW. have their own design of circuit to switchoff, when the current falls to
To supplement the rotary controls, effect this, but the main factor to zero. This maintains a charge at the
a touch-sensitive range is available consider is the form in which this junction region, causing frequent
from R. Hamilton and Co. On and off potential takes. retriggering. Careful selection can
switching is achieved by briefly touch- Simple triggering pulses are suffi- eliminate this, but as thyristors are less
ing a metal pad, whereas dimming cient to drive a triac or SCR pair when prone to such effects, it is wiser to use
requires prolonged contact until the used for dimming straightforward re- an SCR pair.
desired level is reached. These also sistive loads. When the application of a Controlling fluorescent luminaires,
have the advantage of being direct re- system includes inductive or complex although an inductive load, requires
placements for wall-plate lightswitches. loads, for example transformer lamps additional features within the master
The standard type is manufactured in or fluorescent luminaires, a single dimmer unit. To successfully dim a
one, two, three and four gangs, with a pulse is not enough to ensure regular tube it is necessary to use a 'dimming
choice of chrome or polished brass on firing every half cycle. This is due to ballast' consisting of a heater trans-
a white plastic surround. However, the current lagging behind the voltage. former, choke, power factor correction
with the recent introduction of a grid- If a single pulse is used, the device capacitor and stabiliser network. A
mounting touch module, the full range does not have sufficient time to latch constant live supply to the heater
of plate finishes can be used for single on, that is, to reach its holding current, transformer is necessary, together with
and multigang configurations. before it is withdrawn from the gate. a variable supply to the choke. To
With 'touch dimmers', true two-way Consequently, it is necessary to re- switch the heater supply the dimmer
control is possible using a slave unit to
remotely control the master. The slave
physically resembles the master and
has identical control characteristics,
but does not contain any power
control circuitry. A master unit can
have up to four slaves connected to it,
giving full control at all five stations.
Where low-voltage remote control is
desirable for reasons of reducing cable
cost and the problems of heat genera-
tion at the dimming unit, the wall-plate
type dimmer used in most domestic
applications is not really suitable.

Commercial dimmers

In all types of commercial installa-

tion, where the control of large areas
of lighting is required, a low voltage
(usually 0-10 V DC) is used to control
a master dimmer pack (Fig. 5). The Florentine design 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-gang rotary dimmers from the Italian range
 WIRING — INSTALLATIONS — SUPPLIES
either a rotary or slider potentiometer, Wiring of this particular automatic
off at 0 V and full on at 10 V. If a system varies considerably between
'true off' is required at 0 V, i.e. a manufacturers. A more recent innova-
mechanical break, a contactor can be tion is to use a coded bus line, where
installed within the dimmer to break only three control conductors are re-
automatically when the control quired to connect throughout a com-
voltage approaches 0 V and remake plete multichannel system. Each
when rising from the off level. channel master has its own address
Problems are encountered when code (see Fig. 6). The more traditional
control is required from more than systems require separate cables for
one 'outstation'. One solution is the each level selection, together with an
'take control' system. Each outstation additional pair for the power supply,
in this case has a momentary switch in repeated for each channel.
addition to the potentiometer, which,
when pressed, enables that controller The Mercury Litestat system introduced by
to be switched into the line. This unit R. Hamilton & Co. earlier this year gives the
remains connected until another is customer a full range of commercial
selected. dimming products from which a complete
For continuous alteration of the controlled lighting environment can be
created to suit any mood. All the control
light level, common to all outstations,
options described previously are available in
an automatic controller is necessary. a variety of decorative face plates, including
Selection from Hamilton Litestat's range of One form is the preset level pushbutton
decorative faceplate dimmers and electrical the recently introduced 'coded bus line'
accessories
type. Each outstation usually has four preset system. The master power units are
buttons, levels 3, 2, 1, and off, with available in 10 A, 20 A and 40 A versions
is usually fitted with a contactor accompanying indicators. Selecting and can be used with resistive, inductive or
which automatically switches on at a and pressing any one of these fluorescent loads.
level, referenced to the DC control momentarily will cause the lighting As previously explained, control of these
voltage, adjustable within the unit. level to be raised or lowered from the commercial systems can be achieved using
The choice of the tube is critical, existing to the selected preset level. an unlimited number of low-voltage generat-
ing sources, from computer-controlled
where length, type and combination The three preset levels can be adjusted environmental management to dimming a
are equally important. Shorter tubes at the master unit, as can the speed at single fitting. Any particular requirement
are easier to control than the longer which the lighting level changes from within a specified lighting scheme can be
types available, up to a maximum of one preset level to another. accommodated.
6 ft. The 4 f t tube is ideal, and, where
possible, should be specified. Use of
tubes of varying lengths on one con- remote
troller must be avoided due to their outstation
varying characteristics. Argon-filled heat
relaxed
38 mm diameter tubes are preferable, master
however, the 26 mm is acceptable. The environment
dimmer
newer slimline Krypton tube cannot
units
be controlled using a standard dimmer
ballast, but performs satisfactorily in small j> control
conjunction with the recently available
cables voltage
electronic ballasts.
power cables
earth
Control voltage
1r live in
live out
To provide the 0-10 V DC range neutral
various alternatives are available. The
first is the manual type, consisting of
Fig. 5 Control voltage remote system

preset level outstations

channel 1 channel 2 channel 3 channel 1 channel 2 channel 3

3 -channel
master preset unit

3 control cables for

complete system
0V 15V bus line

Fig. 6 Application of the automatic preset level system using a coded bus line