How to connect a dimmer - instructions from A to Z

The principle of operation of the device

First you need to figure out how the dimmer works. The principle of operation is to smoothly adjust the voltage that is supplied to the controlled Light source, for example, a spotlight.

Photo dimmer company Siemens

Simply put, the device can change the voltage that goes to the bulb from 0 to 100%. The lower the output voltage, the dimmer the glow. At the same time, there are various types of dimmers, which differ not only in appearance, but also by itself according to the principle of operation, namely:

• control: wheel (rotary), button (push), sensor (electronic);
• application: halogen, fluorescent, LED light sources or incandescent lamps;
• additional features: timer, remote control, inclusion by clap, smooth shutdown, etc .;
• design: modular (mounted on a DIN rail), monoblock (mounted on the wall, like sockets).

So, now we will consider the basic requirements for installing and connecting a dimmer with your own hands.

Application requirements

It should immediately be noted that the simplest dimmers that are used at home can only be used to control incandescent lamps and halogens. If you connect them to LED strips and fluorescent bulbs, both devices will fail in a short period of time. That is why it is necessary to choose dimmers based on which bulbs they will control.

The remaining requirements when connecting a dimmer are as follows:

• The minimum power of the lamp to which the connection will be made should not be lower than 40 watts. If you ignore this moment, the service life of the regulator is noticeably reduced.
• It is not recommended to install a dimmer in a room in which the temperature is above 25^aboutC. Overheating of the device will negatively affect its operation.
• A phase conductor must be connected to the gap, which is connected to the connector labeled L. It is strictly forbidden to connect zero, in fact, as with connecting light switch as standard.
• To adjust the glow fluorescent tubes Choose products with the appropriate designation, which indicates that the bulb can be used for dimming.
• If you decide to use a dimmer with LED lights and tapes, you need to buy a device of a special design that can work with such a light source. Leading manufacturers: Schneider, Legrand, ABB and Viko have such models in their assortment, but their cost is much higher.
• The power of the dimmer must exceed the total power of the fixtures that it will serve. For example, if you decide to use 3 bulbs of 100 watts each, the power of the device must be selected with a margin of at least 500 watts. If the total power of the luminaires is more than 1 kW, in this case, you must additionally connect an amplifier with which it is possible to maintain a lighting system with a power of up to 1.8 kW.
• It is forbidden to simultaneously connect capacitive and inductive loads to the dimmer.

That's all the requirements that you must adhere to in order to properly connect the dimmer with your own hands!

Wiring diagrams

Before proceeding with the installation of the device, it is necessary to choose the most suitable wiring diagram. Today, it is possible to connect a dimmer with and without a light switch as an independent control element. At the same time, you can install several identical devices at the same time, or even use a combination with through switch. Consider each scheme in more detail and determine the merits of all options.

Standard conditions

In this case, you need to connect the dimmer yourself instead of the switch that was installed earlier. Everything is simple - we lead the phase to break, and ground and zero directly to the lamp (if a 220-volt network with three wires is used).

In the diagram, you can clearly see the essence of this method:

This option is the simplest and will not take you much time, especially if you will use the old strobe for installation work.

With switch

This method is more convenient for use in the bedroom, as it will be possible to turn on / off the light with an ordinary switch, and place the dimmer near the bed, which will allow you to control the brightness of the lighting without getting up.

Dual control

To control the brightness of indoor lighting from two different places, you can install two dimmers and connect them with jumpers. This option is recommended for use in spacious rooms and long corridors.

Another option for controlling the lamp and its brightness from several places is the use of passage switches.

The wiring diagram for the dimmer in this case looks like this:

After choosing the most suitable for your conditions the connection scheme of the dimmer, you need to proceed to the final stage - installation of the product.

Installation work

In fact, the technology for installing a dimmer is no different from installing an ordinary light switch.

If you already have a ready-made strobe, to which the wires from the junction box and the lamp are connected, you can independently connect the dimmer as follows:

1. Turn off the electricity in the apartment.
2. Install the mounting box in the recess.
3. We fix the cores in the corresponding terminals of the housing.
4. We place the body in the gate.
5. We unscrew the side screws so that the presser legs spread out in the walls of the mounting box.
6. We fasten the decorative frame, tighten the nut and wind the wheel - the structure is assembled.
7. We turn on the electricity and check the correctness of the electrical work.

Here, using this technology, a dimmer is connected and installed manually. As you can see, there is nothing complicated in this event, the main thing is to choose the right type of lamps and model of the device! Even electric kettles can easily cope with the installation, but if there are any difficulties, it is better to watch the video instruction provided below.

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