Dimming Portable Lighting

Table lamps, floor standards, bedside lights and other portable lights can have dimmer control using any one of three methods. One method is a dimmer socket adaptor which plugs into the standard 13 A socket-outlet. This unit has two 2-pin sockets and is especially suitable for controlling two bedside lamps in a twin-bedded or a double-bedded room. The control knob on the adaptor dims both lamps at the same light intensity; they cannot be controlled independently.

Another method uses a line-cord dimmer which is wired into the flex of the lamp. The dimmer can be a standard wall type mounted on a plastic box and placed on the arm of the chair, table, desk, or any other chosen position. Alternatively, it can be a mini-dimmer switch resembling a torpedo table lamp switch. This type is especially suitable for the individual control of bedside lamps.

The third method uses lampholder dimmer which fits most patterns of table lamps and floor standards. With this type of dimmer you ‘turn down’ the light as one turns down the wick of the old oil lamp.

Dimming fluorescent lighting

The ordinary dimmer switch is designed for controlling tungsten filament lighting only— electric light bulb, spotlights, architectural tubes, filament strip lights, candle lamps and all other forms of filament lighting. Under no circumstances must this type of dimmer be wired into a fluorescent lighting circuit. To do so would damage the dimmer switch beyond repair.

For dimming fluorescent lighting, a purpose-made dimmer is required, as well as a special choke in the fluorescent fitting. An extra wire has to be run from the dimmer to the lighting fitting. Dimming is rarely applied to fluorescent lighting in the home. It is usually better to have auxiliary tungsten lighting in the same room and to control this by a dimmer.

Dimming strip lights and spotlights

Tungsten-filament strip lights are treated for the purpose of dimming exactly the same as wall lights, using the wall mounted dimmer as a master switch irrespective of whether or not the strip lights have integral switches.

Where spotlights are fitted with flexible cord for connection to a plug and socket- outlet and are to be controlled by a dimmer you can use the socket adaptor type of dimmer. It is essential to make sure that the total wattage of the spotlights does not exceed the watts rating of the dimmer. If one spotlight is supplied from one socket- outlet, there is no risk of overload.

Spotlights, which are expensive to replace, will last much longer when operated at lower output from a dimmer switch but do not sacrifice effect merely to save on lamp replacement.

Dimmer control of track lighting

Lighting tracks consisting of an alloy t which will accommodate a number of 8 lights. Track lighting is being increasing used in the home and is usually connected to the fixed wiring. When ceiling mounted this type can be fitted with a cord-open switch.

If dimming is required, a wall type dimmer of adequate watts rating is used.

Time delay switching

There are a number of situations in home where it is useful to be able to con a light by a time lag switch, which switch off a light automatically after given interval. Examples include: the light, the landing light, outside the b door, in the front porch and similar situations.

A simple time lag switch is a vacuum operated press-button device which fits standard plate switch mounting box will therefore replace any switch with changing the box or altering the wiring. The button is pressed to switch on the light and, after a period ranging from a seconds to several minutes, the but pops out and the light switches off.

The period of delay is preset by me of an adjusting screw located behind plate and cannot be tampered with without removing the switch from its box.

The time lag setting, within the limit: the model should be fixed to suit situation, bearing in mind that a light switch off virtually without warn which could be inconvenient and in sc circumstances dangerous. For example the light suddenly went out when some was descending the stairs an accident cc result. A time lag switch suitably adjusted is excellent for providing a light in the porch as you leave the house, go to the car or lock up for the night and in many similar circumstances. Timers providing random switching periods are also available.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Dimming Portable Lighting

• Electronic Appliances Cables Organizing and Safety Tips
• Indoor and Outdoor Lightings: Spot lights, Pelmet lighting, Auxiliary lighting
• Fixing Wall Lightings
• Efficient Power Tools (sharing similar Motor to the Vacuum Cleaner, Mower)
• Wiring a Lighting Circuit
• Wiring Remote Socket Outlets
• Radial Power Circuits
• How to use your Camera to shot good Pictures/Photo (Multiple exposures; Cable release socket; Delayed action; Flash synchronization)
• Storage Heater Circuits
• Lighting Fittings, Downlighters, Wall lights, Spotlights, colorful home Electronics