Dimming Help

Clipsal once again has tried to help with the solution of dimming LED lamps/fittings. In our blog last night we I discussed the different types of dimming in domestic installations and that it  is not always straight forward.

This time I want to mention a handy little device Clipsal has made to help solve some of the issues that we come across. It is the 31LCDA and is a load correction device for improved dimming. One of the issues with LED and CFL lamps is that they are electronic and there really isn’t much of a “load” or resistance in the circuit. This device is designed to be used with phase control dimmers that generally appear in domestic installations. C-Bus installations may also benefit from these device used with C-Bus dimmer channels.

The features and benefits according to Clipsal are –

“-Stable dimming control with improved dimming performance and load stability across a wide range.

-Specifically designed for use with Clipsal 2 wire dimmers that use phase controlled dimming  technology ( LE,TE or Universal)

- Ensures off-state, reduces flicker or dim glow when load is turned off

- Lowers minimum load constraints, enchanced compatibility with low powered dimmable LED or CFL”

To learn more, here is a link to a Clipsal PDF on the 31LCDA

http://updates.clipsal.com/ClipsalOnline/Files/Brochures/A0000268.pdf

new Clipsal LED lamps

It is becoming a problem to dim successfully modern electronic light fittings.  Even many lighting suppliers and there specifiers get it wrong sometimes.

Today we had a commercial job we were working on with another electrical contracting firm where this happened. The fittings they ordered were supposed to be dimmable and when connected to the C-Bus universal 4 channel dimmer, erratic behaviour occurred with that group of lights.  In the end it was found that those 20w LED fittings were in fact not dimmable. We also found out that a dimmable version was available but it required extra wiring for DSI or Dali control dimming. It was too late to add this.

This begs to mention that there are different ways to dim lights. There are basically 4 ways or methods of dimming.

1. Phase control dimming – leading and trailing edge.

2 . DSI dimming

3. Dali control dimming

4. analogue or 0-10v dimming.

The purpose of this article isn’t to discuss these 4 types but just make the point that dimming today is not as simple as it used to be especially when it comes to the new electronic LED and CFL type light fittings.

In domestic premises the majority of dimming with phase control dimmers are what as know as leading and trailing edge. When you buy fittings that you want to dim, make sure that the driver or transformer is dimmable and that it works for either leading or trailing edge dimmers.

The problem is more of an issue with many questionable imported LED fittings being retrofitted into existing homes with older dimmers. As a general rule of thumb though, if you stay with quality and leading brands, they have usually done their homework and made sure that compatibility is achieved somehow.

Clipsal have just released some excellent dimmable LED fittings and lamps that can be installed into their own fittings or substituted into other brands of fittings. They have made sure that these LED lamps dim with their new style traditional dimmers and also are compatible with C-Bus dimmers.

Here is a link to their brochure http://updates.clipsal.com/clipsalonline/Files/Brochures/A0000253.pdf

Phillips Master series

Well they have been with for a couple of years now and everyone seems to be talking about LED lamps.free
There is no doubt that as electricity prices increase, people are looking at ways to save money. After the initial whisk of purchasing the lamps there should defiantly be some cost savings. My kitchen was.consuming 550 watts of power and now it is consuming 80 watts.

We have supplied hundreds of Phillips 10w LED lamps as a great alternative to 12volt halogen lamps. Many of our existing  jobs use C-Bus dimmers and these lamps perform great with a good choice of transformers. We particularly like the choice of lamp temperature and angles. Our preferred option is the 60 degree 2700K warm white.

At Connecting.com.au we have a separate trading entity for our lighting supply. We do this via our trading name Feature Lighting.

Feature Lighting was first formed in 1990 with a small shcwroom at Nerang on the Gold Coast. Now it services mainly our electrical customers and specialised projects we become involved in.

With our C-Bus home automation system, lighting forms a very crucial part in how the end project will look at feel. “Scenes” created with the C-Bus  system need dimming and ambiance to create the correct “mood”.

A house lit up correctly will look better at night than in the daytime with just sunlight flooding in from everywhere.

We believe in discrete, low glare “feature lighting” for your home – the light fittings need not be the main focal point but instead the “features” of your home should be.

Today with energy efficiency regualtions and concerns, correct lighting design is very important especially when choosing LED fittings and lamps.