In secondary use (meaning use not for its intended purpose, not in a vacuum cleaner), the power control circuit cannot remain the same. Operating conditions change. They will already be strikingly different from those that were taken into account when creating this regulator. For example, the electronic components of the regulator circuit will no longer have such a luxurious air cooling, which is unwittingly created in a working vacuum cleaner.
I tested the regulator board removed from the vacuum cleaner on a 220 V / 95 W light bulb connected to it. To do this, initially it is necessary to fix the board at least on some basis - a dielectric and put on a handle made of a material that does not conduct electric current on the potentiometer (variable resistance directly producing a change in power), because on the regulator board, “ around 220 V". Carefully moving the handle of the slide resistor, I found out that the glow of the bulb at full power is achieved, but there is no cessation of the glow. The resistor, even being “turned out” to failure, does not remove power to “0”.
Regulator circuit
That is, this scheme allows you to adjust the power of the connected electrical equipment from 50 to 100%. And you need from "0" to 100%. This means that it is necessary to make changes to the circuit that will eliminate the existing drawback, as well as other side effects that may arise in connection with changes in the conditions for using the regulator. In a word, you need a graphic representation of the circuit. At least in this form.
The image of the printed circuit board clearly shows that in parallel with the variable resistor there is also a fixed resistor with a resistance of 360 kOhm, which can be removed to achieve the required power adjustment range. Which he did. Also in the photo, the very small dimensions of the cooling radiator of the T1212MJ triac standing here are very clear - it is definitely necessary to change to much larger ones, times like this in 3 - 4.
Removing the resistor gave the effect, but not as much as was needed, now “0” power was reached halfway through the movement of the slide resistor. I would like smoother power control.
This was achieved by further replacing the variable resistor from the existing resistance value with a 200 kΩ resistor with a power of 2 W. As expected, the triac cooling radiator was replaced. In the process of trial inclusions, it was found that a constant resistor of 10 kOhm with a power of 5 W was very hot, which performed the function of a voltage limiter in the circuit - it was replaced with a more powerful one (10 W).
Modified scheme
The printed circuit board eventually took this picture. The changes made to the power regulator circuit in this particular case made it possible to use it to control the power of the heating coil purchased on AliExpress. Measuring the resistance of the heating coil gave 70 ohms, applying the formula for finding power from known resistance and voltage:
P \u003d U x U / R, received 230 x 230 / 70 \u003d 755.7 W
Yes, in my outlet there is always a voltage of 230 volts. Here is such a not weak power regulator for all occasions can be obtained from a home vacuum cleaner that has become unusable. Author Babay from Barnaula
Discuss the article POWER REGULATOR FROM A VACUUM CLEANER
In this article, we will consider a device that is sold in electrical stores as a dimmer for incandescent lamps. It's a dimmer. Name "Dimmer" came from the English verb "to dim" - to darken, to become dull. In other words, the dimmer can be adjusted. At the same time, it is remarkable that the power consumption also decreases proportionally.
The simplest dimmers have one rotary knob for adjustment, and two leads for connection, and are used to adjust the brightness of incandescent lamps and. Recently, dimmers have also appeared to adjust the brightness of fluorescent lamps.
Previously, rheostats were used to adjust the brightness of incandescent lamps, the power of which was not less than the load power. Moreover, when the brightness was lowered, the remaining power was not saved in any way, but was dissipated uselessly in the form of heat on the rheostat. At the same time, no one talked about saving, it simply did not exist. And such devices were used where it was really only necessary to adjust the brightness - for example, in theaters.
So it was before the advent of wonderful semiconductor devices - dinistor and triac (symmetric thyristor). See: . In English practice, other names are accepted - diak and triac. Based on these details and work modern dimmers.
Connecting a dimmer
The scheme for switching on a dimmer is impossibly simple - you can’t imagine it easier. It turns on in the same way as a conventional switch - in the break of the load power supply circuit, that is, the lamp. In terms of installation dimensions and mounting, the dimmer is identical to the switch. Therefore, you can install it in the same way as a switch - in a mounting box, and installing a dimmer does not differ from installing a conventional switch (). The only condition that the manufacturer makes is to observe the connection of the leads to the phase and to the load.
All dimmers that are now on sale can be divided into 2 groups - rotary, or rotary (with a regulator - potentiometer) and electronic, or push-button, controlled using buttons.
When adjusting (dimming) the potentiometer knob, the brightness depends on the angle of rotation. A push-button dimmer is more flexible in terms of control flexibility. You can connect several buttons in parallel, and control the dimmer from any number of places. Of course, this is theoretical, in practice the number of control places is limited to 3-4, and the maximum length of the wires is about 10 meters, and the circuit can be critical to interference and interference. Therefore, the manufacturer's installation instructions must be strictly followed.
The price for dimmers with a regulator and with buttons differs by an order of magnitude, because a push-button dimmer (for example, a Legrand dimmer) is usually assembled with. Therefore, rotary dimmers are much more common, which we will consider below.
The device and circuit of the rotary dimmer
The rotary dimmer device is very simple, but may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. At the same time, the main difference is in the quality of assembly and components.
The scheme of triac regulators is basically the same everywhere, differs only in the presence of additional parts for more stable operation at low "output" voltages and for smooth regulation.
The principle of operation of the dimmer circuit is as follows. In order for the lamp to light up, it is necessary that the triac passes a current through itself. This will happen when a certain voltage appears between the electrodes of the triac A1 and G. Here's how it appears.
At the beginning of the positive half-wave, the capacitor begins to charge through the potentiometer R. It is clear that the charge rate depends on the value of R. In other words, the potentiometer changes the phase angle. When the voltage on the capacitor reaches a value sufficient to open the triac and dinistor, the triac opens.
In other words, its resistance becomes very small, and the light bulb burns until the end of the half-wave. The same thing happens with the negative half-wave, since the diac and triac are symmetrical devices, and they do not care which way the current flows through them.
As a result, it turns out that the voltage on the active load is "stubs" of negative and positive half-waves, which follow each other with a frequency of 100 Hz. At low brightness, when the lamp is powered by very short "pieces" of voltage, flicker is noticeable. What can not be said about rheostat regulators and regulators with frequency conversion.
This is what it looks like real scheme of the dimmer (dimmer). The parameters of the elements are indicated taking into account the variation among different manufacturers, but the essence of this does not change. Triacs in a practical circuit can be set to any, depending on the load power. Voltage - not lower than 400 V, since the instantaneous voltage in the network can reach 350 V.
The initial-end point of ignition, the stability of the burning of the lamp depends on the size of the capacitors and resistors. With a minimum resistance of the rotary resistor R1, there will be a minimum lamp burning.
If you really want to, you can try to make a dimmer yourself. There are a large number of different schemes for home-made dimmers of different levels of complexity. You can get acquainted with the schemes of home-made dimmers in more detail in a series of articles by Boris Aladyshkin about home-made dimmers -.
How to repair a dimmer
In conclusion - a few words about the repair of dimmers. Most often, the cause of a breakdown can be an excess of the maximum allowable load or a short circuit in the load. As a result, as a rule, the triac fails. The triac can be replaced by unscrewing the heatsink and removing the triac from the board. It is better to immediately put a powerful one, at a higher current and voltage than a burnt one. It also happens that the regulator fails, or the installation is disturbed.
The dimmer can be used as a voltage regulator, connecting any active load through it - an incandescent lamp, a kettle, an iron. But the main thing is that the power of the dimmer (in other words, the maximum current of the triac) must correspond to the load.
A dimmer is a newfangled name for a device, more often referred to as a dimmer switch and designed for smooth power control of electrical appliances, primarily lamps (in English, "dim" means "dim"). The thing in the household is very useful, but it is not necessary to buy it at all. In the sense that anyone who has ever held a soldering iron in their hands can make such a device with their own hands. Next, we will describe how this is done.
The simplest kind of dimmers can be considered any variable resistor, for example, a rheostat known to everyone from school. If you turn it on in series with an incandescent lamp, then when you change the position of the slider, its brightness will change. However, it is extremely unprofitable to use such a dimmer, since it does not reduce the power consumption, but only “pulls” part of it onto itself, turning it into heat.
General view of the dimmer
A practical version of the dimmer is an autotransformer. The secondary winding of this device has several pairs of terminals, on which a different output voltage is formed. When a load is connected to one or another pair, it will work with different power.
Dimmers based on autotransformers have a number of advantages:
- consume from the supply network only the power that is currently needed;
- regardless of the ratio of input and output voltages, they give a sinusoidal current at the output with virtually no distortion;
- do not interfere.
But such devices are relatively large and heavy, and mechanical switches have to be used for adjustment, so that they are used today only in rare cases.
By now, electronic dimmers assembled on semiconductor elements have become popular. These are compact, weightless devices.
The principle of operation of an electronic dimmer
Power regulation does not consist in converting voltage, as is the case with a transformer: a dimmer passes current only at a certain value of it (voltage). Recall that the voltage in the AC network constantly fluctuates along a sinusoid from -230 V to + 230V.
Factory made electronic dimmer
That is, an electronic dimmer is a high-frequency switch that has time to turn on and off during each half-cycle of alternating current. Thus, the load is connected to the network not all the time, but only for a certain fraction of a half-cycle, due to which the average voltage and electric current power decrease.
It is obvious that the current at the output of an electronic dimmer is no longer a sinusoidal characteristic: it is rather some kind of its variable-pulsating variety. If you build a graph, a part of each sinusoid wave will be cut off, as it were.
It is important to know that such power is not suitable for all devices. In those that require low harmonic current, the winding may overheat, causing the device to fail.
From household consumers, this category primarily includes:
- electric motors;
- devices with a switching power supply;
- transformer-powered devices: televisions, radios, fluorescent lamps with electronic ballast;
- induction transformers for halogen lamps.
But all of the above applies only to the simplest electronic dimmers with a classic circuit. More complex dimmers, which by now have not only been developed, but are also mass-produced, are "omnivorous" - they can be connected to any load. The main thing is to choose the right model.
Electronic dimmers have one more drawback: in the simplest version (such models are the cheapest), they are a source of tangible electromagnetic interference both in the radio frequency range and in the wires connected to them. In the room where the dimmer is installed, it may be difficult to listen to the radio receiver, there may be malfunctions in the operation of measuring equipment, as well as sound recording - in the form of a background.
There is a way to eliminate it - you need to improve the circuit by supplementing it with a filter. In this capacity, chokes are used, they can be supplemented with capacitors (inductive-capacitive filter). Dimmers with filters are somewhat more expensive.
An incandescent lamp, which is supplied with a voltage reduced by an electronic dimmer, makes a whistling sound, barely audible, but clearly noticeable in complete silence. The more powerful the lamp, the more intense the whistle will be. The fact is that the peculiar current received at the output of the dimmer causes mechanical vibrations in the filament, which lead to the appearance of such a sound.
This phenomenon is called magnetostriction. It also takes place when connected directly, that is, without a dimmer, but in this case it manifests itself to a much lesser extent, and does not produce sounds audible to a person.
How to make a device with your own hands
A conventional dimmer is simple and cheap to manufacture, since it requires a small number of quite affordable radio components. Here are the main ones:
A few words should be said about the assembly of the dimmer. The simplest is the so-called hanging installation, when all the elements are connected into a single circuit by means of wires.
It looks like a dimmer assembled by a hinged method
Before soldering, the stripped strands of a piece of wire cut to the desired length, as well as the “legs” of radio components, must be tinned with a soldering iron (solder and a special flux or rosin are used).
Materials for connecting wires by soldering
After soldering, all connections should be wrapped with electrical tape. If this is not done, a short circuit may occur due to careless contact or moisture.
A more complicated option is to assemble a dimmer on a homemade printed circuit board.
Assembly of a dimmer on a printed circuit board
Its manufacture requires some skill, but the device will turn out to be miniature and more reliable. Tracks on the board, as well as wire cores for surface mounting, must be tinned. The soldering process is also no different.
Now consider several circuits of electronic dimmers.
On triac
This device is designed to be connected to a network with a voltage of 220 V. As you can see, in addition to the triac and dinistor, there is an RC circuit here. It has a voltage divider, consisting of a variable resistor R1 and a constant R2.
Triac dimmer circuit
The circuit works like this:
- The user sets the resistance R1, which determines the voltage in the circuit R2 - C1. From this voltage, in turn, depends on the charging time of the capacitor C1.
- When the voltage on it reaches a certain value, it causes the DB3 dinistor, which is included in the same circuit between R2 and C1, to open.
- At the same time, a pulse is applied through DB3 to the triac VS1, which opens and passes current to the load. The faster C1 is charged, the earlier VS1 will open and, accordingly, the longer will be that part of the half-cycle during which the current is passed to the load. Consequently, the electrical power will be greater.
The process of adjusting the intensity of lighting with such a dimmer is displayed on the graph:
Light intensity control chart
The time for which the charge in C1 reaches the opening threshold DB3 is denoted by t*.
On thyristors
Thyristors are good because they can be removed from old electrical appliances, such as televisions. Thus, the dimmer will turn out to be practically free. Here is his diagram:
Thyristor dimmer circuit
Thyristors, unlike triacs, pass current in only one direction, so for a given dimmer they will need two - one for each half-wave of alternating current. Accordingly, you will also need two dinistors, through which, as in the first circuit, a control pulse is formed.
According to the principle of operation, the scheme is very similar to the previous one:
- A positive half-wave through the circuit R5 - R4 - R3 charges the capacitor C1.
- As soon as the voltage on C1 is sufficient to open the dinistor V3, it (the dinistor) will pass a control pulse to the thyristor electrode V
- V1 will open and allow current to flow to the load.
- With a negative half-wave, the thyristor V2 will work in the same way, while V1 will be closed. The charge of the capacitor in this case is carried out through the circuit R1 - R2 - R
Condenser dimmer
Unlike the first two, this version of the dimmer allows you to reduce the power only by a certain fixed amount, that is, an intermediate brightness level of the lamp appears. However, it is very compact.
Condenser dimmer
The principle of operation is extremely simple. As you know, an alternating current can flow through the circuit in which the capacitor is connected, but its power will depend on the capacitance of the capacitor. The faster it charges (small capacity), the smaller the fraction of the half-wave will have time to pass through the circuit. And vice versa - with a large capacity, even the entire half-wave can do useful work.
Therefore, you need to choose a capacitor with the right capacity and connect it to the circuit so that you can direct the current either through it (reduced power) or bypassing it (100% power).
You can include another capacitor in the circuit with the ability to switch between it and the first capacitor (you will need a 4-position switch). Then an additional step of power adjustment will appear.
Capacitors can be used paper, non-polar, available in abundance in old electrical appliances. Their capacity is selected according to the following table:
Capacitance-Voltage Parameter Table
On a chip
Now let's consider a dimmer for direct current with a voltage of 12 V. It is most convenient to assemble such a regulator on a KREN microcircuit - an integral stabilizer.
Dimmer circuit on a chip
Due to the use of a microcircuit, the design of the device is extremely simplified, respectively, the amount of assembly work becomes minimal. In addition, such dimmers have a protection function.
To adjust the power, as in the first two circuits, a variable resistor is used (in the diagram - R2). The value of the reference voltage on the control electrode KREN depends on its resistance, on which, in turn, the output voltage depends. The adjustment range is very wide - from 12 V (100%) to a few tenths.
It should be noted that the KREN chip heats up quite a lot, which is why it has to be equipped with a relatively large heatsink. To a much lesser extent, this drawback manifests itself in dimmers assembled on the basis of the 555 integrated timer and the KT819G transistor controlled by it (it plays the role of an electronic switch like a thyristor and triac).
The control signal is short PWM pulses that switch the transistor to either the fully open or fully closed position, so that the voltage drop across it is the smallest possible. Accordingly, the scheme turns out to be more economical than on the basis of KREN, and due to the use of a smaller radiator, it is also more compact.
Choosing a ready-made dimmer
If you decide to purchase a factory-made dimmer, pay attention to the following:
Specifications
There are only two of them:
- network voltage;
- permissible load power.
For example, for a chandelier with three conventional 100 W incandescent lamps, a dimmer with 230 V / (25 - 400 W) characteristics is suitable. Permissible power is always indicated as a certain range, the upper value of which should be taken with some margin.
Note! For some Chinese dimmers, for example, from Powerman, an interesting feature was noticed: one power value is indicated on the label, and another on the device case. Moreover, these values \u200b\u200bcan be quite different, for example, they write “600 W” on the label, and “25 - 400 W” on the case.
Therefore, when buying a cheap imported dimmer, do not limit yourself to studying the information given on the box - be sure to consider the device itself.
Load type
The simplest dimmers are designed to control the power of incandescent and halogen lamps.
Rotary dimmer for incandescent lamps
More advanced models can also work with low-power electric motors - usually fans are connected through them. An example is the dimmer Kopp Dimmat (Germany).
One of the representatives of the Kopp Dimmat dimmer range
Dimmers are also available through which fluorescent lamps can be connected. If any of the mentioned loads is powered through a simple dimmer, then it may fail.
It is important to know that not every such lamp can be connected to a dimmer designed to connect, say, fluorescent lamps. It should be marked "dimmerable" or, equivalently, "dimable".
Control method
On this basis, dimmers are divided into several varieties:
mechanically controlled
These are the simplest and cheapest devices. They have a rotary handle, which is why they are usually called rotary. An example is the domestic model "Bella C16-65". Rotary dimmers have minimal functionality. To turn off the light, the knob must be turned to its extreme position until it clicks; The inconvenience of this control method is the lack of a function for remembering the settings - the brightness of the lighting has to be re-adjusted every time it is turned on.
Electronically controlled
These dimmers are divided into keyboard and touch. There are also pseudo-touch ones, for example, the Simon 75305-39 model, the keys of which are pressed with such little effort that they almost do not differ from the touch panel.
Touch dimmer for LED lamps
Typically, keys and touchpads have a dual effect: a short press/touch turns the light on or off, and a long hold changes the brightness of the light. When you turn on the lamp, the brightness will immediately be the same as it was set before turning it off, that is, you no longer need to adjust the light every time.
Note! Along with the usual ones, dimmers are produced, which, when the lamp is turned on, supply voltage to it with a smooth increase. It is believed that such dimmers prolong the life of the lamps.
An example of a touch-controlled dimmer is the SM180 model by Eunea Merlin Gerin (Spain). In addition to conventional lamps (incandescent and halogen lamps for 230 V), low-voltage halogen lamps with a conventional (ferromagnetic) transformer can be connected through this regulator.
with remote control
Control signals can be transmitted both by means of infrared (IR) radiation and by means of radio frequency. For example, the Smart Dimmer Pro 21 model of the French company Legrand is equipped with an IR receiver.
Model Smart Dimmer Pro 21
You can connect to it:
- low-voltage halogen lamps not only with conventional, but also with electronic transformers;
- fluorescent lamps with electronic control gear.
The ability to work with such loads is due to the presence of a phase cutoff switch on the leading / trailing edge.
Total power - up to 500 watts.
The remote control can be used not only branded, but also any other with support for the RC5 code.
with sound control
These devices can respond to clapping or even voice commands.
This material will help to independently connect the cotton switch:
Options
Many of the modern dimmers are equipped with an additional terminal to which conventional pushbutton switches can be connected. With their help, you can control the lighting in the room from several places.
There are models equipped with a timer, for example, the already mentioned Simon 75305-39 pseudo-touch dimmer.
Pseudo-touch dimmer Simon 75305–39
After the time set by the user, the device will automatically turn off the light.
The widest range of possibilities is provided by programmable dimmers equipped with a microcontroller. They may have the following features:
- imitation of the presence of residents (automatic switching on and off of the light in order to mislead apartment thieves watching the windows);
- brightness control in various modes, for example, flashing at a certain frequency (Strobe);
- control of several groups of lamps (zones) and memorization of different lighting scenes for them.
An illustrative example of a programmable dimmer is the Lutron Grafik EyeE system (USA).
Dimmer Lutron Grafik EyeE
This is how its multi-zone manifests itself: the user can connect several groups (up to 6) to the system, for example, a chandelier, wall lamps and decorative lights, and then set some brightness value for them for different occasions.
For example, when the family gathers at the festive table, the brightness of the chandelier is set to 70%, and the brightness of wall and decorative light sources is set to 20%. To watch TV, a different scene is set up: the brightness of the chandelier is reduced to 20%, the brightness of other lamps is increased to 30%.
The settings of all lighting scenes (their maximum number is 16) are stored in the system's memory, so that you can easily switch between them - both quickly and smoothly (the process of switching from one scene to another can be stretched for an hour).
The Grafik EYE system can be controlled with a remote control and can only work with incandescent lamps.
The maximum total load power is 2300 W, while the maximum for each zone is also specified - no more than 800 W. The capabilities of the system can be expanded by connecting a power amplifier to it. Then the limit for each zone will increase to 1800 watts.
Programmable dimmers are also produced in the CIS countries. For example, the model "Sapphire 2503" of the Belarusian company "Nootekhnika" supports the presence simulation mode and has a timer that turns off the lighting 12 hours after the last user action. The dimmer has a touch panel and can be controlled by a remote control. The current to the load when turned on is supplied incrementally (which prolongs the life of the lamps).
Read the product data sheet carefully. Some dimmers heat up noticeably, so manufacturers prescribe their use with restrictions. So, for example, the Dimmat dimmer of the German company Kopp is not recommended to be turned on with a load of more than 300 W if the room temperature exceeds + 25 ° C: but the maximum allowable power declared in its characteristics is 400 W.
Such requirements should be considered with particular attention if the wall on which the device is to be fixed is made of materials with low thermal conductivity, such as wood or drywall.
You should be aware that the efficiency of a light bulb “screwed” with a dimmer is greatly reduced. Therefore, in the event that you have to operate the lamp most of the time in a reduced brightness mode, it is more advisable to replace it with a less powerful one and use the latter without a dimmer.
The most "tenacious" are domestic rotary dimmers. So, for example, the Bella C16-65 model already mentioned is capable of operating with voltage surges from 60 to 285 V.
All modern dimmers have a fuse installed, so it makes sense to get at least one spare in advance.
Note! When the power of a fast-acting light source, such as an LED strip or a gas discharge lamp, is reduced with the help, a stroboscopic effect takes place. In such lighting, moving or rotating mechanisms and tools may appear stationary, which is very traumatic. Therefore, dimmers should be used with caution in workshops and production areas.
How to connect a dimmer
In the general case, the dimmer is connected like a conventional switch, but there is a condition: the regulator must be turned on only in a phase break (switches can be set both in phase and in “zero”).
In practice, dimmers are often installed in pairs or with switches.
Dimmers are connected like switches. Both of these elements are mounted in series with the load. The dimmer can be safely put in place of a conventional switch. To do this, turn off the mains power, disconnect the wires from the terminals of the old switch, and install a dimmer in its place. This operation is also simplified by the fact that the mounting dimensions of the dimmers correspond to the dimensions of simple switches.
Schematic diagram of connecting a dimmer
When connecting a dimmer to the mains, remember: it must be included in the break of the phase (L), and not the neutral (N) wire.
Circuit with a switch
Such schemes are extremely convenient: they allow you to control the intensity of lighting from anywhere in the apartment. In the bedroom. For example, it is advisable to install a dimmer next to the bed - in this case, the user does not have to leave a warm bed to reduce or increase the light intensity.
Connection diagram for a dimmer with a switch
Such a scheme is appropriate to apply in "smart home" systems. Effective light control allows you to highlight individual areas of the room or interior details. A simple switch is installed near the interior door. They are used when entering and leaving the room - when you need to turn the light on or off.
Installation diagram with two dimmers
If necessary, you can adjust the light intensity from two points. in this case, two dimmers are installed, and their first and second terminals are connected to each other. A phase wire is connected to the third terminal of any of the dimmers.
Wiring diagram with two dimmers
The wire to the load comes from the third terminal of the remaining dimmer. As a result of such manipulations, three wires should come out of the junction box of each of the dimmers.
Turning on a dimmer with two pass-through switches
The principle of operation of this scheme is as follows: one switch is installed at the entrance to the room, the second - at the other end of the stairs or corridor. In this case, the dimmer is mounted between the switch and the load in the phase wire.
Connection diagram for a dimmer with two pass-through switches
A dimmer cannot be installed between the walk-through switches.
Please note that if the dimmer in this circuit is turned off, none of the walk-through switches will work.
Connecting a dimmer to LED strips and lamps
If you connect a dimmer to the LED strip, it will be possible to change the brightness of its glow. Choose a dimmer according to the total power of the LED strips.
When implementing this scheme with single-color tapes, a power supply is connected to a dimmer. The outputs of the dimmer are connected to the load itself, while observing the polarity of the current.
In the case of using LED strips with RGB channels, the dimmer is also connected to the power supply, and its outputs to the signal controller.
The power of the dimmer in any of the above cases should be 20–30% higher than the calculated power consumption of the tapes.
Please note: special dimmers are available for working with LED lamps and tapes.
Video: how to replace a switch with a dimmer
Dimmers are very popular, and this encourages manufacturers to actively develop this branch of instrumentation. By now, we have learned how to make regulators for any type of load, including those with transformer power supplies. But if we talk about conventional incandescent or 220 V halogen lamps, then the dimmer for them is an extremely simple device and, as the reader could see, it is quite easy to do it yourself.
All kinds of dimmers produced by the industry are able to expand the functionality of almost any lighting fixtures and increase their efficiency. But if the situation is not typical, for example, if small sizes are important, then only a home-made device can help.
In addition, making can be a cheaper option than buying, which is extremely convincing. We will tell you how to assemble a dimmer with your own hands. In the article presented by us, it is detailed what components will be required, in what sequence to perform the work.
Factory dimmers are able to provide the expected economic result or increase the comfort of living in all typical situations. In addition, their cost is different, which will allow you to make a purchase "affordable".
But still, in a number of situations, you can not find an option that is suitable in size or power, so a homemade product can be a way out.
In most cases, an interested person will be able to purchase an inexpensive factory dimmer, the performance of which will satisfy him.
There are non-standard situations when industrial products do not satisfy human needs. For example, this happens if you need a small size, there is a desire to improve the aesthetic properties of its control panel.
Or a person considers it necessary to increase efficiency, make control more convenient, achieve some color effects, improve any other characteristic.
Making a simple dimmer is not a difficult task, all the more you will only need tools available to everyone, the main of which is a soldering iron
You can also assemble it yourself, when the necessary components are available, which will significantly reduce the cost of the procedure.
What you need to know about dimmers?
The verb "to dim" in English means "to become dim", "to darken". This phenomenon is the essence of dimmers. In addition, a person additionally receives a number of benefits.
Advantages of using the device
Among the advantages, the following additional features should be highlighted:
- reduce electricity consumption - this leads to greater efficiency;
- replace several types of lighting fixtures - for example, one lamp can serve as a night lamp, main lighting, etc.
In addition, the user can get various lighting effects, for example, use conventional lighting controlled by a dimmer as light music.
And also its functionality allows you to work in conjunction with security systems or simply simulate the presence of people in the room. That will help the owners of any premises to protect their property from intruders or even prevent their unauthorized entry into an apartment, office.
The basis of the design of the dimmer is a triac. It is important to remember that its power should be 20-50% higher than the same load indicator. In addition, it must withstand a voltage of 400 V. This will ensure the durability of the product.
Additionally, the brightness control is able to make the control of lighting sources, other electrical appliances more convenient and efficient. For example, you can use radio or infrared signals, which will allow you to perform the necessary manipulations remotely.
Or it is possible to use several light control points instead of one. For example, if the user wants to modernize the lighting in the bedroom, then the regulators can be installed at the entrance there, as well as near the bed.
Such a decision will make the life of the owners somewhat more comfortable. You can do the same in any other room.
How is regulation carried out?
If an interested person decides to assemble a dimmer on his own, then the procedure should be started not with thoughts about how to do it, but with determining the goals and objectives that will be solved.
This is what an ordinary current sine wave looks like, and the essence of dimming is to “cut off” it. This will reduce the duration of the pulse and allow the appliance to operate at less than full power.
So before proceeding with the assembly, it is necessary to decide what type of lamps will be used. This procedure is mandatory, because there are different principles for controlling the brightness of the glow.
These include:
- voltage change- this method will be relevant when using outdated incandescent lamps;
- pulse width modulation- this option should be used to control the brightness of modern energy-saving lighting devices.
Changing the voltage of LED lamps is ineffective due to the fact that they operate in a narrow range and, with a slight deviation from the norm, they simply go out or do not turn on. Which will not allow you to fully unlock the potential of conventional devices, because specialized ones are produced for them.
In addition, the use of simple but outdated rheostats does not make it possible to save on electricity. After all, excess electricity in the form of heat is simply dissipated in the air.
A properly made dimmer should provide just such a sinusoid, in which short pulses alternate with long pauses. Moreover, the longer it is, and the signal strength is less, the dimmer the lamp will glow.
With the help of pulse-width modulation, it will be possible to assemble a dimmer that provides the lamps with the ability to operate at 10-100% of their power. In this case, the user will receive a pleasant bonus in the form of saved electricity.
And you can also fully use all the other advantages of dimmers, including durability.
Relative simplicity of design
Despite the fact that household dimmers allow you to get a noticeable visual and economic effect, they are distinguished by a simple device.
This ensures a long service life, and in the case when a person decides to perform an independent assembly, then the simplicity of this operation. As a result, almost anyone can cope with it, even without special knowledge.
A homemade dimmer can be used in different areas, but it should be borne in mind that its manufacture on one component soldering will not end. Since homemade will need to give an attractive appearance
So, the most popular modern dimmers are based on just a few elements:
- dinistora, its other name is also often found - diak;
- triac, in another way - triac;
- impulse shaping unit.
In addition, the design requires the presence of several secondary parts, without which work is impossible. These include capacitors, resistors (DC, AC). Each of the main listed semiconductor devices perform their part of the work of controlling the brightness of the lamps.
The triac is often compared to a door for electricity, and which can be entered in both directions. That is, it is possible to pass current to the lamps in an unlimited amount, but if necessary, return its excess back.
The implementation of such a process provides an anode with a cathode. They change places depending on the direction of movement of electricity. In addition, a multi-layer conductor design is provided, which allows you to perform tasks as accurately as possible.
The direction switching itself is performed by a dinistor, which is a bidirectional diode.
Circuit complexity factors
A person who wants to assemble a dimmer on his own should think not only about acquiring the necessary semiconductors. As the design will need to be able to manage, accommodate, and even provide sufficient aesthetic properties, a number of considerations will need to be taken into account.
These include:
- type of management;
- placement method;
- appearance.
Since these items significantly affect the performance of the dimmer, each of them should be dealt with separately. That will allow you to cope with the work of high quality.
Existing types of instrument control
Since the dimmer needs to be controlled, the person should choose the best option. Because there are many of them and each has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. This will significantly affect the design.
Manipulations can be performed in any of the following ways:
- mechanical;
- electronic;
- remote.
But most often for all kinds of home-made dimmers, the first option is used. Since mechanical control is the easiest to assemble, and when buying components, you will have to pay the least.
The dimmer circuit makes it possible to understand how it works. Namely, when a current appears in the network, it, passing through the resistors and one of the built-in diodes, charges the capacitor. Excessive voltage from which falls on the dinistor and triac. The load transmitted to the lamps depends on its position.
In this case, a person will only need a regulator, which can be a rotary lever. If desired, it can be replaced with a pressure element. In this case, all manipulations will be performed by ordinary keys, familiar from traditional switches.
Often combined rotary and push devices are used. They enable the on / off operation to be carried out with the keys, the adjustment itself - with a rotary lever. Which many users find convenient.
Any of these options in size and appearance can be similar to a conventional switch, which will allow you to replace such a device. This is another benefit. Electronic control involves the use of sensors to perform all the necessary manipulations. They are also designed in the form of traditional switches and can easily replace them.
Before mechanical counterparts, touchscreens have a significant advantage in the form of a modern appearance. The reverse side of the coin will be the higher cost of components. Remote control is the most comfortable, convenient, it is performed using conventional remote controls.
There are different types of command signal transmission:
- radio signal;
- infrared signal.
In the first case, the user will be able to make the necessary adjustments from anywhere in the building, premises, and even from outside. Which is convenient, effective, but the components will cost more than when buying a remote control with an infrared signal.
The signal is able to transmit the necessary information only when hovering over itself. And this can only be done within the same room.
A simpler one is the hinged version of the dimmer assembly. And the printed circuit board is considered the most durable, which will prevent many types of early failure.
Nevertheless, this feature is usually not considered a disadvantage, so more affordable kits with an infrared signal are more popular. Acoustic also belongs to remote control methods, but in this case you will have to purchase a sensor that can pick up sound commands: handclaps, music sounds and other similar noises.
Still, you should know that the latter option is more spectacular than effective. Since any third-party sounds, for example, the barking of a pet, a loud conversation will lead to an unauthorized change in the brightness of the lamps. This will not always please users.
At the same time, the acoustic sensor built into the design of the dimmer can make any party unforgettable, as it makes the lighting fixtures respond to changes in the volume of music. That is, in this way, it is quite possible to replace light music.
In addition, you should know that control options using a computer with a wired or wireless connection, as well as a smartphone or tablet that transmit the desired command signal via Wi-Fi, are becoming more and more popular.
Printed circuit boards are compact and durable in comparison with the hinged circuit. In addition, they are safer, which is important, since dimmers are used in rooms where there are people.
To be able to use any of these methods, the dimmer design must be equipped with the necessary elements. Which makes it more difficult, therefore more expensive. As a result, the most popular control option traditionally remains mechanical.
Device placement type
Any modern dimmer can be placed in just three ways, and less is used in everyday life - only 2. One option is rarely in demand due to its design complexity and performance.
Therefore, for housing or small commercial premises, the following types of accommodation are used:
- invoices;
- built-in.
In the first case, a traditional switch is replaced with a dimmer, in the second, it is installed out of sight, that is, it is mounted in a transfer box, a specially made niche. This means that in one situation, a person needs to take care of a control panel with high aesthetic qualities.
And in another this nuance does not play any role. Since the device will be hidden from the eyes. But you will have to use only the remote control method. Overhead are mainly mechanical or electronic varieties.
The principle of operation of the dimmer
The most effective way is to control the brightness using pulse-width modulation. Since it is most suitable for modern.
The principle of operation in this case is the supply of current in short pulses, between which a long pause is maintained. Moreover, the longer its duration, the lower the brightness of the glow.
Connecting regulators is an important stage in the assembly, since functionality and comfort depend on it, in fact, for the sake of which people do such work.
At the same time, the simplest devices are capable of changing the characteristics of light by simply decreasing/increasing the applied voltage. But this option will only benefit when using incandescent lamps.
In the case of using LED-devices paired with the device, they will only be able to work, since ordinary LEDs are not adjustable.
DIY dimmer manufacturing
Initially, it is necessary to decide on a number of parameters, including power, type of placement, control. Without this procedure, a workable regulator can only be created by chance, which is rare.
In addition, you will need a capacitor and 2 resistors that can support the previously determined power. And one of them must be variable. This feature will allow you to change the voltage.
The diagram shows how the user can control one light source using two controllers installed in different parts of the room, which is convenient
And when its value reaches the maximum possible for the dinistor used, it triggers and delivers the necessary command pulse. Which is sent to the triac, and then goes to lamps or other electrical appliances.
When this power key opens depends on the position of the controls. Since it can be both 220 V and 40 V, if a person needs it.
Since the craftsmen mainly make overhead dimmers, it will not be difficult to install it in the circuit. Since this operation is no different from installing a traditional switch
All of the above structural elements are connected into one product according to the attached diagram using wires and soldering. Contacts must be carefully isolated. Since a short circuit is one of several common causes of electrical equipment failure.
Connecting the Dimer to the Circuit
This is no less important part of the work than the manufacture itself, since the durability of operation largely depends on the quality. In addition, the connection affects the convenience and comfort of control, so dimmers are usually divided according to this characteristic.
They are as follows:
- by type of switch - they replace traditional switches and regulate one lamp or a group of them, for example, a chandelier with a large number of lighting elements;
- walk-through - allow you to control one electrical appliance, for example, an LED lamp, with the help of several regulators, for convenience, located in different parts of the room, building.
In the first case, when using a network that includes 3 wires, zero and ground go to the lamp, another electrical appliance, and the phase breaks. That is, the procedure is familiar to anyone who has replaced conventional switches.
When checking the regulator, its installation and operation, a person should observe safety measures, as sufficient voltage passes through it to cause harm to health
When installing two pass-through dimmers from the junction box, three wires should be connected to each of them. This is a prerequisite. The first two pins are then used to connect both regulators. A jumper should be used to ensure reliability.
Another of the free contacts is connected to the phase, and the last to the lighting fixture. After that, the connection is checked for operability.
During these operations, you should remember to observe safety measures - each of them can be performed only after a power outage.
You will be introduced to the guidelines for choosing a dimmer for controlling an LED strip, fully dedicated to this interesting topic.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The first video will allow you to quickly understand the manufacturing procedure:
The following video material will allow you to get acquainted with the principle of operation of modern dimmers:
Any user, even without special skills, will be able to figure out how to make a simple dimmer with their own hands. This is a very inexpensive and easy solution. The main thing is to select the elements of the required power and qualitatively connect them together.
At the same time, it will be necessary to give the product a decent appearance, which complicates the task. But for this purpose, you can use the cases of industrial regulators, even used ones.