Lighting Dimmer Switches
Dimmer Switches
The most familiar enhanced-control device, the dimmer lets you lower or raise light levels so that they're appropriate to the need. For example, a bathroom dimmer can be set low for restful light when bathing or nighttime lighting, then raised to higher intensity when you need to put on makeup. In a child's bedroom, a dimmer can provide low-level light at night for reassurance or for a parent's nighttime checks, then fill the room with light for daytime play. Likewise, a family room can be lit with low-level lighting for relaxed entertaining, then perked up with full lighting for family activities.
Most dimmers today are solid-state devices. They actually switch off and on very rapidly--120 times per second. Because the human eye perceives the overall light emitted, the brightness of light delivered is actually a product of how long the current is in the "off" and "on" cycles.
Dimmers save money two ways. First, they significantly cut wasted energy by using only the amount of electricity needed. When a light is dimmed by 25%, a dimmer saves about 20% of the electricity required. When dimmed by 50%, it saves 40% of the electricity. Second, a dimmer greatly extends lamp (bulb) life because it reduces strain on the filament. When dimmed by 25%, a lamp lasts 4 times as long as it would at full power, and dimmed by 50%, it will last as much as 20 times longer.
No special wiring is needed for a dimmer --it may replace any conventional light switch, but you must buy specially-rated dimmers for fluorescent or low-voltage lighting and fans. Any dimmer you buy should be rated to handle the type and total load of fixtures it will control.
Dimmers may be operated with a toggle, a dial, a slide, a paddle switch, a touch-pad or electronic button; some types integrate two or more of these methods to handle different tasks. When buying one, whether to choose a toggle, rotary dial or slide switch is really a matter of personal preference; focus instead on the range of control and the features. Does it offer full-range dimming? Can it be preset to specific light levels? How many levels? Is it easy to use?
Of course, the more features a dimmer has, the more expensive it generally will be. The idea is to figure out how it will be used, then tailor your choice to the need. For example, for general dimming applications you might want to choose a multi-function dimmer like Lutron's Maestro, which has a touch-switch control that will recall a preset light level if you touch it once or turn the lights all of the way on if you touch it twice. Small LEDs along one edge show the level of light and it can be adjusted to fade to off very slowly so you have time to leave the room.
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