Choosing your Dimmer Switch
Choosing your Dimmer Switch
Our standard dimmers are recommended for mains voltage lighting only. The lights are dimmed by a rotary control knob and turned on and off by either a rotary on/off or a push-on/push-off action. Rotary on/off dimmers are only suitable for 1-way circuits. If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit. It must be used in conjunction with a normal switch. When you switch on a push-on/off dimmer the lights will come on at the same level they were at before they were last switched off. Push-on/off dimmers can also be used in 1-way circuits.
When selecting a standard dimmer add up the wattages of the bulbs you wish to dim and choose a dimmer with a suitable maximum load rating.
Our stylish touch control and touch & remote control dimmers are suitable for mains lighting and electronic transformers including those requiring "trailing-edge" control. These dimmers are not suitable for wirewound transformers. They are suitable for 1-way circuits only unless they are used in combination with one or more of our touch control dimming slaves which enables you to dim the same lights from two or more switch locations in a 2-way or multi-way circuit.
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Type of Lighting
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Standard Dimmers
(Product Codes H_…)
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Intelligent Dimmers
(Product Codes I_P…)
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Touch or Touch & Remote Dimmers
(Product Codes I_T… or I_I…)
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Normal Mains Incandescent
(GLS bulbs and spotlights)
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Maximum load as specified on product
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Maximum load as specified on product
Soft-start feature
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Maximum load as specified on product
Soft-start feature
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GU10 or Similar HiSpot Mains Halogen Bulbs
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Maximum load as specified on product (only use quality UK supplied lamps)
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Maximum load as specified on product (only use quality UK supplied lamps)
Soft-start feature
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Maximum load as specified on product (only use quality UK supplied lamps)
Zero risk of damage in case of lamp failure and dramatically improved lamp life
Soft-start feature
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Low Voltage VARILIGHT Electronic Transformers
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Maximum load as specified on product
For 1000W Dimmers (H_9) the maximum load is 650W
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Maximum load as specified on product
Soft-start feature
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Maximum load as specified on product
Soft-start feature
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Other Brand Dimmable Electronic Transformers
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Noise levels may vary depending upon the type and quality of transformers used
We recommend a maximum of 5 fully dimmable electronic transformers per circuit
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Noise levels may vary depending upon the type and quality of transformers used
Up to full rating with quality dimmable electronic transformers such as VARILIGHT transformers
Soft-start feature
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Noise levels may vary depending upon the type and quality of transformers used
Up to full rating with quality dimmable electronic transformers such as VARILIGHT transformers
Soft-start feature
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Wire-Wound Transformers
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VARILIGHT Wirewound Low Voltage Dimmer (H_6L)
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Maximum load as specified on product
Soft-start feature
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Do not use VARILIGHT Touch or Touch & Remote Dimmers for this application
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