Light dimmers can be understood to be a kind of electrical device.
Light dimmers are used to alter and manipulate the level of brightness of light. It is possible to change according to will the intensity of the light being produced by the light source by altering the levels of total power being provided to the lighting appliance being used.
This can be done by periodically increasing or decreasing the RMS voltage of the power supply to the lighting appliance. While such devices which can bring about a change in the voltage can be used for a number of purposes, in general, light dimmers are used for simply directing the brightness and intensity of the light being produced by the lighting appliance.
Depending upon the function to be served by the light dimmer, the size of the dimmer can vary drastically. For domestic purposes and usage in small capacities, the size of the dimmer is of the average light switchboard. However in larger settings such as those of theatres, the light dimmers are bigger and more complex.
In the earlier technologies, dimmers had a manual operation system which resulted in a limited amount of control over the light intensity manipulation possible. With the coming of modern digital units of light dimmers, this problem has been rectified and complete control over the intensity of light being emitted can be achieved.
Original light dimmers were created with potentiometers and variable resistors. In contrast, the modern light dimmers are manufactured from silicon controlled rectifiers. The disadvantage of variable resistors was that they would distribute the power through heat energy and thus the level of efficiency would be exceedingly low, in the range of 0.5.
However, the modern day light dimmers, made of silicon controlled rectifiers do not heat up, hence there is little loss of energy and this leads to increased levels of efficiency which are recorded to be in the range close to 1.0.
In earlier times the light dimmers were administered through large control panels by the means of manual manipulation. This could only be achieved if the entire quantity of power being used was directed through the lighting control location.
This was an unfavorable set up as it was not only tiresome and inopportune but it also posed a dangerous threat from the copious amounts of electric power being concentrated in one region.
The danger was amplified by the numerous electrical channels and the high power and increased voltage of the lights in use. It was with the coming of the thyristor light dimmers that the concept of analog remote control systems for the light dimmers became possible.
The heavy power load wire systems from the earlier dimmer systems were replaced with smaller cables that carried lower levels of electric current and thus posed lesser danger. The principle of potential division being used was replaced by the method of switching techniques which minimized the wastage of power and energy.
Dimmers can be of various kinds, and the history of light dimmers involves various creations and developments, failures and successes.
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