Faucets

How to put dimers on LED strips. Do-it-yourself dimmer connection

It is not difficult to adjust the brightness of the lighting in a room where a chandelier with several incandescent lamps is installed. We take a switch for several buttons and, if necessary, turn on or turn off some of the lamps.

Even if the chandelier is designed for one lamp, its brightness can be changed over a wide range by increasing or decreasing the applied voltage. The LED operates in a very narrow voltage range and when it is reduced, it simply goes out.

To change the brightness of LED lamps, a dimmer is used, which is a PWM controller (controller with pulse-width modulation of power).

Principle of Pole Width Modulation (PWM)

Changes in the power of the supply voltage when using a PWM controller are ensured by applying signals with varying duty cycles to the switching element (in the case of LEDs, a field effect transistor, triac or dinistor).

duty cycle (S)- the ratio between the duration of the pulses and the pause between them.

S=T/T1, where T is the period of pulses, T1 is the period of the positive front.

In the PWM controller, the pulses follow at a constant frequency, only the duration of the pauses changes.

Below is a schematic diagram of a PWM controller:

Increasing the pulse width increases the time it takes the current to flow through the transistor to the load, and hence the passed current. The pulse repetition rate is much higher than that which the eye can catch, usually 100-200 Hz, so we do not feel the flicker of the LEDs. The advantage of load regulators based on PWM controllers is a significantly higher efficiency compared to resistive ones, since the excess load is extinguished rather than consumed.

Connecting a dimmer to an LED lamp power circuit

There are two connection options:

Wiring diagram in front of the power driver when AC voltage is dimmed;
Connection after the power driver, with PWM regulation of constant voltage.

Industrial options for dimmers for LED lamps

Dimmer control type:

Infrared;
Radio;
Stationary.

Controlled voltage:

220V.

Dimmer mounted instead of a switch, with remote control. Usually installed when converting ordinary lighting with incandescent lamps to LED strips.

Dimmer installed in front of the power driver remote controlled LEDs with infrared control.

Sample with radio control. Unlike an infrared transmitter, such a remote control is able to turn on the lighting even from the street.

They produce samples with mechanical or touch control. There are even models that allow you to control the lighting with your smartphone via WiFi.

The main disadvantage of all devices is a rather high price.

If you do not have the desire to overpay for unnecessary functions, it is not at all difficult to make a dimmer for 220v LED lamps with your own hands.

We assemble a dimmer with our own hands

Circuit on triacs:

In this circuit, the master oscillator is built on two triacs, a triac VS1 and a diac VS2. After turning on the circuit, the capacitors begin to charge through the resistor chain. When the voltage on the capacitor reaches the opening voltage of the triac, current begins to flow through them, and the capacitor is discharged. The lower the resistance of the resistor, the faster the capacitor charges, the lower the duty cycle of the pulses.

Changing the resistance of the variable resistor controls the depth of gating over a wide range. Such a scheme can be used not only for LEDs, but also for any network load.

Connecting a dimmer as a switch

AC connection diagram:

The N555 chip is an analog-to-digital timer. Its most important advantage is the ability to work in a wide range of supply voltage. Ordinary microcircuits with TTL logic operate from 5V, and their logical unit is 2.4V. CMOS series are higher voltage.

But the generator circuit with the ability to change the duty cycle turns out to be quite cumbersome. Also, for microcircuits with standard logic, increasing the frequency reduces the voltage of the output signal, which makes it impossible to switch powerful field-effect transistors and is only suitable for loads of small power.

The timer on the N555 chip is ideal for PWM controllers, since it simultaneously allows you to adjust both the frequency and the duty cycle of the pulses. The output voltage is about 70% of the supply voltage, due to which it can even be controlled by Mosfets field effect transistors with a current of up to 9A. With the extremely low cost of the parts used, the assembly costs will amount to 40-50 rubles.

And this scheme will allow you to control the load at 220V with a power of up to 30 W:

The ICEA2A microcircuit, after a little refinement, can be painlessly replaced by the less scarce N555. Difficulty may cause the need for self-winding of the transformer. You can wind the windings on a conventional W-shaped frame from an old burned-out 50-100W transformer. The first winding is 100 turns of enameled wire with a diameter of 0.224mm. The second winding - 34 turns with 0.75mm wire (the cross-sectional area can be reduced to 0.5mm), the third winding - 8 turns with 0.224 - 0.3mm wire.

Dimmer on thyristors and dinistors

LED dimmer 220V with load up to 2A:

This two-bridge half-wave circuit consists of two mirror stages. Each half-wave of voltage passes through its thyristor-dinistor chain. The depth of the duty cycle is regulated by a variable resistor and a capacitor.

When a certain charge on the capacitor is reached, it opens the dinistor, through which current flows to the control thyristor. When the polarity of the half-wave is reversed, the process is repeated in the second chain.

Dimmer for LED strip

Dimmer circuit for the LED strip on the integral stabilizer of the KREN series.

In the classic voltage regulator connection scheme, the stabilization value is set by a resistor connected to the control input. Adding capacitor C2 and a variable resistor to the circuit turns the stabilizer into a kind of comparator.

The advantage of the circuit is that it combines both the power driver and the dimmer at once, so the connection does not require additional circuits. The disadvantage is that with a large number of LEDs on the stabilizer there will be significant heat dissipation, which requires the installation of a powerful radiator.

How to connect a dimmer to an LED strip depends on the dimming tasks. Connecting in front of the LED power driver will allow you to adjust only the general illumination, and if you assemble several dimmers for the LED with your own hands and install them on each section of the LED strip after the power supply, it will be possible to adjust the zone lighting.

"Dimmer" with a fixed brightness level

The value of the resistors is 100-500 kOhm, the power is 1-2 W.

This is not even a dimer, since there is no PWM controller here. But it is ideal for those who took a soldering iron for the first time.

The ability to change the brightness of lighting and create different lighting scenarios is becoming a necessity for a modern home, like connecting to the mains or the Internet. Therefore, luminous flux regulators or dimmers for LEDs are recommended to be installed with each update of the wiring in the apartment.

Dimmer functions

The functionality of dimmers depends on the complexity of the device. The simplest ones that you can do with your own hands are used only for stepwise or smooth changes in the intensity of the lamp glow. More modern models equipped with microcontrollers can perform other tasks:

Fine tuning lighting. The dimmer helps to adjust the comfortable brightness of the lighting fixtures depending on the intensity of natural light throughout the day, the orientation of the room to the cardinal points, the design of the window opening, the habits and preferences of the owners. This is much more convenient than choosing lamps of the required power for each group of luminaires.
Automatic shutdown at the specified time. This feature saves the owner the hassle of checking every room before going to bed/going out and helps reduce electricity bills.
Save money on lamps. Working in a reduced brightness mode, LED lamps and incandescent lamps are able to perform their functions 3-5 times longer than the planned period.
Simulation of the presence of the owners. The device turns on and off, and also changes the brightness of the lamps connected to it, imitating the actions of people living in the house. The program is designed specifically for those who regularly leave their homes and are afraid of burglars.
Remote control of light: via remote control, voice commands, application on a smartphone. This is convenient not only in large rooms, but also in bedrooms, when you don’t want to get out of bed in the evening.

Dimmers can be installed both for a single lamp / chandelier, and for a group of luminaires. More often, a separate dimmer is provided for each group of lighting devices of each functional area.

In addition to living rooms, concert venues, theater halls, circus arenas and other premises where smooth lighting control is necessary for a visual effect are supplied with devices of this type.

How does a LED dimmer work?

The principle of operation of the device is based on changing the voltage in such a way as to cut off the leading (“adjustment on the leading edge”) or trailing (“adjustment on the trailing edge”) edge of the AC sinusoid (“phase cutoff principle”). Thus, when dimmed to 50%, the lamp uses only half of the possible power.

Leading edge dimming is used with 230V low voltage, fluorescent and LED lamps complete with electromagnetic type transformers. Trailing edge dimming is used for the same lamps in tandem with electronic transformers.

The task is performed using a rheostat or a complex of electronic elements. Dimmers of the rheostat type are characterized by low efficiency (coefficient of performance) and do not reduce energy consumption when lighting decreases, therefore they are gradually becoming obsolete. Electronic dimmers work by using a bi-directional thyristor and a PWM (pulse width modulation) system that delays the load activation signal. When operating at full power, there is no delay, at 10% luminosity it is 9 milliseconds. Thus, the dimmed lamp is constantly switched off and on with a slight delay.

For normal operation, the device is equipped with protection against overheating and short circuit.

The dimmer is able to prevent damage to the lamp during regular voltage drops.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages

pros	Minuses
Allows you to reduce the energy consumption of the room.	They are expensive, especially programmable models with touch and remote control.
Extend the life of the lamps by reducing the intensity of operation, as well as a smooth start when turned on.	They lead to malfunctions and destruction of lamps if the devices are not selected correctly.
Protect the premises from the intrusion of strangers.	Budget devices generate electromagnetic interference that degrades the operation of radio equipment.
They provide a decorative effect and eye-pleasing illumination in any room.	Not suitable for use with fluorescent/energy-saving/halogen lamps, as the latter are equipped with a compensation system for a stable glow.
They make the lighting design of the room more interesting and variable.	If the load on the dimer has become less than the minimum allowable (for example, an incandescent lamp has been replaced with an LED one), the device will quickly deteriorate without the possibility of replacement under warranty.

If you decide to use a dimmer in your home or office, try not to save on appliances and use the advice of a sales assistant to choose the best dimmers and lamps for each other. Then you are guaranteed to avoid the appearance of unpleasant effects.

Varieties and characteristics of dimmers for LED lamps

When buying a dimmer, keep in mind that the devices for incandescent lamps, energy-saving lamps and LEDs differ from each other. Therefore, you need to take either a specialized device, or select LED lamps marked "DIMMABLE" / a circular icon for a standard one.

Such an icon on the box means that the LED lamp will work with a universal dimmer. Minimum luminosity level may vary or may not be specified

Demonstration of work with different types of lamps

Classification of regulators

Depending on the principle of controlling devices, dimmers for LED lamps are:

Turn-and-push. The most common type of dimers, such devices are easy to operate, have a low price and a simple design. The control is intuitive: the brightness is changed by turning the knob, turning on / off is done by pressing. Users appreciate the ability to turn the light on and off without changing the selected brightness setting.
Keyboards. The devices resemble conventional switches, which allows you to choose the most suitable design for dimmers, switches and sockets. The desired degree of brightness is set with the +/- key, switching on and off - with the I / O button (or with a key without an inscription).
Touch. The devices are controlled by a tactile sensitive screen, which can display auxiliary information. Dimmers of this type are distinguished by their actual, sometimes even futuristic design, which is why they are often installed in modern interiors.
remote. Such devices are not installed in the user's direct access zone, they are mounted near the lamp or in the electrical panel of the apartment. The control takes place using the remote control or from any gadget via WiFi (you will need to download and install the appropriate application).

The choice of the appropriate type of dimmer depends on your convenience, the design of the room, and the budget allocated to the fixtures.

Devices are also classified according to the method of installation:

Modular are designed for installation in a switchboard on a DIN rail (next to circuit breakers). Such devices can be mounted or replaced at any time, you only need to provide a separate wire for it during repairs.
Wall-mounted ones are installed in the same way as sockets and switches directly in the room where the luminous flux will be regulated. Installation is carried out at the end of the repair simultaneously with the specified devices. It is very difficult to add such a dimmer after repair, as wall chasing and destruction of the finish will be required.
Remote ones look like miniature (2-3 cm long) blocks with three control sensors. Since they are able to be controlled remotely, they are installed under a suspended/stretch ceiling next to a chandelier or inside a lighting fixture. Dimmers of this type can be mounted simultaneously with the luminaire (the walls do not need to be chiseled, so no repairs are required).

If you are planning to equip a smart home system, modular models will suit you; planning repairs without a smart home - prefer wall-mounted ones; if the repair has already been made, only remote ones can be installed without risk for finishing.

Popular dimmer manufacturers

Legrand (Legrand). The French company offers products of European quality, certified according to GOST. Advantages of Legrand dimmers: ease of installation, reliable operation, attractive design (colors: ivory, white, aluminum). The manufacturer offers models of rotary, push-button and touch types.

Schneider Electric (Schneider Electric). The German manufacturer is known for the quality and high reliability of its dimmers. Several series of devices with different designs and seven color variations have been developed. The devices are equipped with mounting tabs and guides that facilitate the installation procedure.

Makel (Makel). The Turkish brand has a more loyal pricing policy than European manufacturers. Masters recommend using devices of this brand in low-load areas, where they demonstrate sufficient reliability.

Each manufacturer attaches to their dimmers information about their compatibility with various types of lighting devices. It is usually provided by brand representatives or consultants at the point of sale.

How to choose a device

When choosing a dimmer, the following parameters must be taken into account:

Planned load (total power of connected lamps). The documentation for the dimmer indicates the load power of the device, it should be one third more than the sum of the powers of the luminaires it controls. It is no longer worth making a power reserve, as this will lead to damage to the dimmer.
Mains voltage. LED fixtures are designed for 220V or 12V circuits (work through a transformer). Dimmers for them are produced differently, so make sure that the box is labeled 220V.
Light fixture compatibility. The instructions for the device should say that it works with LED lamps (not diodes or tapes), and not with incandescent lamps.

The choice of a dimmer by type of installation and brand is written above. For maximum compatibility of devices, we recommend buying a set of dimmers and lamps at the same time and checking their collaboration in the store.

DIY connection

Installing a dimmer is not difficult for an ordinary electrician and even a person who is only slightly familiar with such work. To connect a remote dimmer, it is enough to connect the wires by connecting one side to the wiring, and the opposite side to the lamp (so that the "phase" and "zero" are not mixed up, all wires are marked). Modular, as already mentioned, are mounted on a DIN rail in the electrical panel. It is better to entrust this work to a professional so as not to accidentally disrupt the work of neighboring elements.

The installation procedure for the wall regulator is the same as for a conventional socket. Let's describe in more detail the rules of work and safety requirements:

determine the phase wire with an indicator screwdriver;
turn off the power supply to the room / apartment (depending on the capabilities of the shield);
connect the phase conductor and the dimmer wire with the “L” marker, and connect the neutral conductor to the wire marked “N”. This can be done by twisting (provides a large contact area of the conductors) or special clips (more convenient and faster, especially for beginners).
place the device in the socket and adjust its position using the adjusting bolts;
install a decorative cap;
plug in the power and run the experiment.

If your dimmer allows you to turn on / off the light, it is placed instead of the standard switch; if the model supports only the mode of changing the degree of illumination, it is mounted in series with the switch (in front of it).

Detailed instructions for connecting a dimmer (video)

With this knowledge, you can easily find a suitable dimmer and make your home more comfortable and technically advanced on your own.

The ability to adjust the brightness of lighting devices is a convenient, and sometimes simply irreplaceable function in organizing lighting and backlighting with LED strips. But in order to get the desired result, it is necessary to clearly understand what dimmers (dimmers) are, how they work and what they are. The article will answer all these questions, help you choose the right dimmer for the LED strip (SL), and, if necessary, assemble this useful device with your own hands.

What is dimming

Dimming (from English dim - darken) is a change in the brightness of lighting. Accordingly, a dimmer is a dimmer, that is, an electronic device that allows you to smoothly change the brightness of the lighting fixture. Examples of the simplest dimmers are a rheostat and an autotransformer that change the voltage across the load.

Using a rheostat (left) and an autotransformer to change the brightness of an incandescent lamp

Today, there are many varieties of high-performance and compact electronic dimmers, operating on different principles. But everyone has the same task: to change the power emitted on the load (in our case, on the LED strip) and the strength of the light flux (brightness) created by it. Since we are interested in dimmers for LED strips, let's focus on their varieties.

Expert opinion

Alexey Bartosh

Ask an expert

Strictly speaking, a dimmer is a broader concept than a dimmer. The device can be used to adjust the power output not only by lamps, but also by other electrical devices: motors, heaters, etc.

Types of dimmers

Ribbons, as you know, are monochrome and multicolor. The most common options for multi-color ribbons are RGB (red, green blue) and RGB + W (red, green blue, white). The difference between regular RGB and RGB + W is that in the first case, the tape uses separate LEDs of various colors, located singly or in groups, but alternately: R-G-B-R-G ...

RGB strip assembled from LEDs of different colors

The RGB + W strip uses four-color LEDs, consisting of several crystals located in one device. By activating certain crystals, you can achieve the appearance of many additional colors, including white. You can also highlight three-color three-crystal RGB 5050 LEDs, which also work on the principle of color mixing.

Tri-color 5050 LED and the tape assembled on it

For multi-color versions of tapes, of course, special types of dimmers are needed that can independently control three channels.

Expert opinion

Alexey Bartosh

Specialist in the repair, maintenance of electrical equipment and industrial electronics.

Ask an expert

In principle, you can control a three-color tape with a conventional single-channel dimmer by connecting all channels in parallel. But in this case, the brightness of all colors will be adjusted synchronously, which nullifies the whole effect for which the three-color illuminator was created.

Additionally, dimmers for LED strips are distinguished by:

management method;
installation method and location;
additional features.

Control method

According to the method of controlling the LED strip, dimmers can be divided into the following four groups:

rotary. Adjusting the brightness of the tape in such dimmers is done using a conventional rotary knob. In this case, switching on / off can be done either by turning the knob or by pressing it;

Recessed and surface-mounted dimmers with rotary knob

push-button. In such devices, the brightness of the lighting is adjusted using ordinary keys, as on a switch, or mechanical buttons;

Wall and mini dimmers with mechanical button control

sensory. The device is controlled by touch buttons. They do not need to be pressed, just touch them;

Touch control dimmer

remote controlled. Setting the required level of illumination for this category of regulators is carried out remotely using a wireless IR or radio remote control. Some of these devices have built-in Wi-Fi or a microphone. The first can be controlled from a mobile device, the second - by voice.

Single color and RGB dimmers with remote control

Method of installation and location

The dimmers for tapes produced today have a different design. Depending on the tasks and design ideas, you can choose the design that suits you best.

For wall mounting

Usually (but not necessarily) such devices have the form and dimensions of a conventional switch. They are recessed into the wall or have an overhead design. A very convenient option for organizing lighting or lighting living rooms.

Recessed and surface-mounted dimmers for wall mounting

For flush mounting next to the tape

Sometimes it is inconvenient to use a wall structure or it is problematic to install it (for example, you don’t want to make repeated repairs). In this case, the dimmer can be placed near the tape or in any convenient place. For example, hide behind interior elements or in the inter-ceiling space. This is where concealed mounting comes in handy. You will have to control such a device remotely: using a wired or wireless remote control.

This dimmer has a remote control, so it can be placed anywhere.

Additional functions

Modern dimmers, in addition to their main task of adjusting the brightness, can perform a huge number of additional functions. With the advent of microcontrollers, this has ceased to be an expensive pleasure. Typically, such dimmers are called LED strip controllers, since it is already difficult to call them dimmers.

The most interesting of the functions performed by controllers are:

Switching on by timer (imitation of the presence of the owner).
Creation of lighting effects (running light, periodic fading, color change, etc.).
Light music mode (uses the built-in microphone).
Integration into a smart home or connection to a PC via a wired interface.
Inputs for connecting external sensors (alarm, light, etc.).
Possibility of independent programming.

This controller for LED strips can no longer be called a dimmer: it performs several dozen additional functions, can be programmed and integrated into a smart home

Criterias of choice

Have you decided to make lighting with an LED strip and even bought it along with a power supply? Great, it remains to choose and purchase a dimmer. We will select according to the following criteria:

Supply voltage and power. The operating voltage of the dimmer should be the same as that of the tape - 12 or 24 volts. As for the power, it should be 15-20% higher than the power of the tape. If there are several tapes, then their capacities are added up, and 15-20% is the necessary safety margin. A dimmer working at the limit of its capabilities will not last long.
Number of channels. This characteristic depends on the type of tape you are going to use. For a monochrome tape, a conventional single-channel regulator is sufficient. RGB or RGB+W? A multi-channel dimmer is needed, and not all effects that can be implemented using the second type of tape are available to an RGB dimmer and vice versa.
Design and control. Built-in, overhead or concealed installation. It all depends on the idea and ease of use. It's the same with the control method. Buttons, sensors, rotary knob, remote control - what do you like and most conveniently for you. But some sensors, and even more so remote control, are more expensive.
Functional. The scheme "the more the better" does not work here. For each additional function, you will sometimes have to pay a lot of money. If, for example, you are not going to control the chandelier from your smartphone or integrate it into the “smart home” system, then you don’t need to take a device with such interfaces - money will be wasted.

Expert opinion

Alexey Bartosh

Specialist in the repair, maintenance of electrical equipment and industrial electronics.

Ask an expert

Among other things, you should not save on quality - the miser pays twice. Having bought a Chinese fake, you can go to the store again. If you take, then only devices of fairly well-known manufacturers. For example, Osram, Gauss, Philips, etc.

Wiring diagram

Connecting a dimmer to an LED strip is easy and does not require special tools. If you know the basics of electrics, then you can do all the work yourself without involving a specialist. To put the dimmer into operation, it is enough to turn it on between a constant voltage source (power supply) and the LED strip. In this case, of course, it is necessary to observe the polarity and not to confuse the input and output of the device.

Typical scheme for connecting a single-channel dimmer to a monochrome LED strip

How to connect a dimmer to an RGB strip? No problem, there are no special features for connecting a dimmer to a multi-color tape. The principle is the same as for monochrome, only there are more wires. You can handle that too.

Connecting a 12 volt dimmer to a multicolor tape

DIY dimmer

We have more or less figured out the dimmers for the LED strip. It's time to find out how to make a dimmer with your own hands, and is it even possible. Since I do not know the level of your training, I will focus on a fairly simple scheme. It is made on an affordable element base, but performs well as a dimmer and will fit into the body of a standard switch.

A simple LED strip dimmer circuit using the PWM dimming method

On transistors VT1, VT3, a classic multivibrator with a variable duty cycle is assembled, and the right arm of the multivibrator is reinforced by a transistor VT2, which forms a push-pull key with VT3. The capacitances of capacitors C2 and C3 are chosen such that, for any duty cycle, the generator frequency is 14 kHz. This will prevent the tape from flickering and ringing at low brightness. The duty cycle is changed using a variable resistor R3.

The multivibrator is loaded on a powerful key made on field-effect (MOSFET) transistors VT4, VT5 connected in parallel. The VD1 diode protects the transistors from reverse induction voltage, which can occur in the supply lines of the SL wires if they are long enough.

The circuit uses field-effect transistors with an N-type channel. What if you found similar ones with a P-type channel? It's OK. You don’t have to change the dimmer circuit itself, it’s enough to swap the extreme terminals of the variable resistor R3 and change the switching circuit for VT4, VT5.

FET dimmer variant with P-channel

This device provides adjustment of the brightness of the tape from 10 to 90%, which is not bad at all for such a simple circuit.

Now for the details. KT315 and KT361 are the most common transistors for radio amateurs, and you can find them in almost any domestic household equipment of the 90s. Even now in the Ketashki store they cost a couple of rubles.

FETs can be soldered from any motherboard of a faulty PC. If the power of the SL does not exceed 35 W, then the transistors VT4, VT5 can work without a radiator. If the power is higher, then the radiator, of course, will be needed.

Answers to popular questions

Almost everyone who is thinking about purchasing a dimmer has a lot of questions. I'll try to answer the most popular ones.

Does it make sense to install a dimmer?

After reading this article, you probably thought - is it worth installing a dimmer? Will such a project have any significant disadvantages? Like any device, a dimmer has advantages and disadvantages. Let's summarize them in a table:

Advantages	Flaws
The ability to quickly create a comfortable level of illumination using the same lighting fixture. This is especially useful when using the wireless remote control.	Additional costs (a quality multifunctional controller may be more expensive than a lighting system)
The ability to program and create various lighting effects in automatic mode. Actual not only at home, but also for entertainment centers, shopping centers, for use in decorative lighting	When using budget devices with a low frequency of PWM adjustment, flicker and “ringing” of SL are harmful to the eyes. The effect is especially pronounced when setting low brightness levels.
Exceptionally easy installation and connection that you can do yourself

So, the main disadvantage of installing a controller for an LED strip is its high cost. But here we are talking only about full-fledged multifunctional controllers. Of the functions, you just need to select the ones you need, and a regular dimmer without additional functionality, even from the most famous brand, is quite inexpensive. In addition, a simple connection of the dimmer allows you to refuse the services of a qualified installer, which are also not free.

As for flickering, it is typical only for extremely budget products and devices of the Made in Noname company. If you purchase a device from a normal (not necessarily the most famous) manufacturer, there will be no flickering problems.

Putting a dimmer, as a result, you get comfort and convenience. Therefore, when asked whether it is worth installing it, I personally would answer: it is worth it.

Does it fit any tape?

If the dimmer has sufficient power and supports the required number of channels (I spoke about the channels above), then it will fit any SL with the same number of channels, designed for the same voltage as the dimmer. All LED strips are dimmable if they do not have a built-in power supply. The only thing is that they need a special dimmer, designed for joint, and not the one that is installed in the switches to control the light bulbs in the chandelier.

Now you know about the dimmers for LED strips, almost everything you need to know to make the right choice and install it yourself. And those who like to hold a soldering iron in their hands after reading this article, I hope they can easily assemble a simple, but quite efficient dimmer switch on their own.

An LED strip dimmer is an electrical device that combines a switch and a dimmer in a single housing, installed in the LED strip control circuit. Its work is based on smooth adjustment, the principle of a rheostat, of the voltage level supplied to the lighting circuit. Due to this, the brightness of the lighting is adjusted from 0 to 100%. The dimmer is installed and connected to the network in the same way as the switch.

Some manufacturers mount a choke in the dimmer chip, with which you can cut off the interference and noise generated during operation.

Types and features of dimmer control

By design features, they can be divided into the following options:

modular - devices of this type are mounted in distribution cabinets;
monoblock - are installed in the mounting box instead of the switch.

According to the method of controlling the lighting system, dimmers are divided into:

A device with a separate button for turning on the light and a wheel for adjusting the light.
Touch. The brightness of the LED strip is adjusted by touching the sensors on the panel or using the remote control.
With push-turn handle. Switching on is carried out by pressing the control, and setting the required level of illumination - by turning in one direction or another.
Turning. Almost the same, but it differs in that the inclusion and regulation is done by turning the knob.
Key devices. Changing the level of illumination is achieved by pressing the key.
Remote. Controlled with remote controls.
Acoustic. They are activated by clapping or voice commands.
multichannel devices. They help to control lighting at several points in the room at once. For example, if you need to highlight some parts of the room by adding a level of lighting and at the same time lower the brightness on others. As a rule, they are equipped with wireless or remote control via remote control or using a telephone.

The principle of operation of pulse-width modulators

PWM is a method of influencing a controlled network by changing the amount of power supplied to the latter. The principle of operation is to regulate the duration of the pulses at their constant frequency. Pulse width modulation can be binary, ternary, digital, analog.

The use of PWM makes it possible to significantly increase the efficiency of electrical converters. With the use of pulse-width modulation, single-cycle, push-pull, half-bridge, bridge, reverse and forward pulse converters are controlled.

For example, PWM is widely used in the production of electronics, such as LCD screens, phone and laptop displays to control the brightness of the glow.

Wiring diagram

Before you start assembling a circuit with a dimmer, you need to check the power characteristics. The power of the LED strip should not exceed the values \u200b\u200bspecified on the device case (it is better if these indicators are less). If the dimmer is designed to handle 150 watts of power, the ideal option would be if the LED strip consumes about 147 watts. This will help the device last a very long time.

As for the installation itself, it is necessary to follow the generally accepted procedure for all electrical networks:

First of all, you need to turn off the power supply of the network in the circuit of which the installation will be carried out. The absence of voltage is checked with a tester or multimeter. It is necessary to make sure that there is no possibility of accidental supply of current, if necessary, post a warning sign.
An LED strip is installed in the room, and a dimmer is placed in the mounting box using the appropriate fastening materials and tools.
To the terminals marked L and N, you need to connect the phase and neutral wires, respectively. It is necessary to determine the position of the supply conductors before the power is turned off.
At the end of the installation, the operability of the assembled circuit is checked.

Single color

The LED strip is powered by a 12 V DC source, and the household network is powered by an AC source with a voltage of 220 V. The dimmable LED strip is powered by a 220/12 V converter. Zero and network phase are connected to the input, and an LED strip is connected to the output.

It is important not to reverse the polarity of the conductors. If connected incorrectly, the tape simply will not work.

To connect an LED strip longer than 5 meters, you can use several mounting options:

Use multiple power supplies. Separate power supply for each tape.
One power supply. Each tape is connected in parallel to each other to the output of the converter.

Important! The power supply must have enough power to power several LED strips.

RGB

The mounting method is exactly the same as with a monochrome tape, with a slight difference. After the power supply, an RGB controller is installed, which allows you to adjust the color of the LED strip. It is important to consider the power of the controller when choosing the number of RGB strips.

Now directly about the connection. Reduced voltage from the power supply is connected to the V+ and V- terminals. Connect to the output contacts:

R (red) - red wire;
G (green) - green conductor;
B (blue) - blue wire;
V+ - yellow common wire.

Each wire, except for yellow, is responsible for the corresponding color of the tape. It is necessary to accurately connect each conductor to its socket. Nothing bad will happen, but the colors will not display correctly.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of dimmers:

Setting the required level of illumination in the room, depending on the requirements of the situation.
The ability to control the amount of electricity consumed by the lighting system.

Disadvantages of dimmers:

Dimmers are extremely "gentle" in terms of overheating. They have this property, as they are based on a microcircuit. Before buying, you need to know how much power the dimmer should control.
The dimmer is also demanding on the value of the minimum load. If the values indicated on the case are lower, the device will fail very soon.
Many still use and are unlikely to soon part with fluorescent and energy-saving lamps. And they, as the manufacturers of these warn, either cannot be adjusted at all, or are regulated, but this significantly reduces their service life.

Do-it-yourself dimmer on a microcircuit

Self-assembly of the dimmer can be done on a simple single-sided printed circuit board made of foil textolite. The wiring and wiring diagram can be found below.

Assembly sequence:

First you need to install a connector for mounting external circuits.
The next component will be resistors and capacitors.
Diodes and a microcircuit must be soldered before installing a field effect transistor.

After soldering is completed, it is imperative to remove the jumper on the output contact of the transistor, securing the assembled device from combustion.

The finished device can be placed in any convenient case with a cable hole and a variable resistor R1. When changing the position of the handle of the latter, the pulse frequency will change, which ranges from 5 to 100%, and the degree of illumination of the room - about 20 times, respectively.

It doesn’t matter at all which company’s dimmer and at what cost you decide to purchase or assemble it yourself. Most importantly, you must follow the basic safety rules during installation. An electric shock, even a brief and minor one, can cost your life.

As for the durability of the lighting system with a dimmer, much will depend on the accuracy and correctness of load calculations and the selection of equipment that is suitable for the parameters. The convenience of using one or another control option can be determined in an electrical goods store and the most suitable dimmer can be selected. For example, with voice control, so you don't even have to touch the controls.

Sometimes it becomes necessary to change the intensity of lighting. They do this with the help of light dimmers, which are often called "dimmers". Most of the devices are mounted instead of a conventional switch - directly into the same mounting box, and many look similar. How to connect a dimmer with your own hands? Simply - into the phase wire in series with the load. The installation schemes of the regulators are simple, you can handle it yourself.

Purpose and functions

Dimmers (in English dimmer) are used in everyday life to adjust the brightness of lamps, the temperature of heating devices (soldering irons, irons, electric stoves, etc.). These devices are also called dimmers or dimmers, although this is only one of the possible applications. They work most effectively with incandescent lamps, allowing them to extend their service life, since if there is a dimmer in the power circuit, the minimum current is supplied to the lamp when turned on. And as you know, it is the starting throws that cause them to fail.

Do not use dimmers with transformer or switching power supplies (TVs, radios, etc.). This is due to the peculiarities of the operation of the device - at the output, the signal does not look like a sinusoid, but only part of it (the tops are cut off with keys). When such power is supplied, the equipment fails.

Note! Conventional dimmers cannot be used with fluorescent lamps. Such a bunch will either not work at all, or the lamp will flash. To work with these sources, there are special devices with a different scheme. In general, conventional dimmers can only control incandescent or LED lamps. When energy-saving ones are connected to them, the “blinking” of light begins, and halogen ones are simply not regulated. But you can also adjust the brightness of the light for these types of lamps - there are special dimmers, but they are more expensive.

The very first dimmers were electromechanical and could only control the brightness of incandescent lamps. Modern ones can provide a number of additional functions:

turning off the light on a timer;
turning on and off the lighting at a certain time (presence effect, used for long departures);
acoustic control (by clap or voice);
possibility of remote control;
various modes of operation of the lamps - flashing, changing the temperature of the light, etc.;
the possibility of embedding in the "smart home" system.

The simplest dimmers still only adjust the brightness of the lighting, but this function turns out to be very useful.

Device and types

Dimmers are made on the basis of a different element base. All of them have their own characteristics and disadvantages. And in order to understand what a dimmer is and how it works, you need to figure out what a particular device is made of. So, there may be options:

When choosing a device, it is not so important to know what type it belongs to, how important it is to take into account the nature of the load to which it will be connected (incandescent and LED or fluorescent and housekeepers).

By type of execution, dimmers are:

Modular for DIN rail mounting. You can connect this type of dimmer with incandescent lamps, halogen lamps with a step-down transformer. For ease of use, they have a remote control button or a key switch. Such devices are convenient, for example, for controlling the illumination of the yard and the entrance gate from the house, the landing or the front door.
Dimmers on a cord. These are mini-devices that allow you to adjust the brightness of the glow of lighting fixtures that are plugged into an outlet - table lamps, wall lamps, floor lamps. It is only worth knowing that they are compatible mainly with incandescent lamps.
For installation in a mounting box. They are placed in the mounting box under the switch (in the same box). Compatible with incandescent, LED, halogen step-down and electronic transformer. They are controlled by a button that is placed on top of the device or connected to the smart home system.
Monoblock. In appearance, it is very similar to a conventional switch, it is placed in the same mounting box, it is possible instead of a switch. They are included in the phase circuit break (diagrams below). This type has a large species diversity. Which lamps such a dimmer can be connected to should be indicated on the case, but if it is an electronic circuit, then they work with incandescent lamps and some halogen and LED lamps (which are written dimmable or have an appropriate sign). Can be managed:

In private houses and apartments, monoblock dimmers are most often installed. In the house, a modular design can still be useful - to change the brightness of the lighting in the local area with the ability to control it from home. For such cases, there are models that allow you to control the illumination from two places - pass-through dimmers (they work according to the principle).

Monoblock dimmer connection diagram

Most often, monoblock dimmers are independently connected. They are put in place of a switch. With a single-phase network, the connection diagram is the same as on a conventional switch - in series with the load - in a phase break. This is a very important nuance. Dimmers are placed only in the gap of the phase wire. If you connect the dimmer incorrectly (into the neutral gap), the electronic circuit will fail. In order not to be mistaken, before installation, it is necessary to determine exactly which of the wires is the phase and which is the neutral (zero).

If we are talking about installing a dimmer in place of the switch, then you must first disconnect the wires from the switch terminals (with the power turned off on the panel), turn on the machine and use a tester, multimeter or indicator (screwdriver with LED) to find the phase wire (when touching the probe to the phase on the device some readings appear or the LED lights up, and there should be no potentials on the neutral (zero) wire).

The found phase can be marked in some way - put a line on the insulation, stick a piece of electrical tape, colored tape, etc. Then the power is turned off again (the input switch on the shield) - you can connect a dimmer.

The connection diagram of the dimmer is simple: the found phase wire is fed to the input of the device, from the output the wire goes to the load (in the figure to the junction box, and from there to the lamp).

There are two types of dimmers - in one, the input and output contacts are signed. In this case, you must follow the instructions and apply the phase to the signed input. On other devices, the inputs are not signed. In them, the phase connection is arbitrary.

Consider how to connect a dimmer with a rotary dial. First you need to take it apart. To do this, take out the disk - you need to pull it towards you. Under the disc is a button, which is fixed with a clamping nut.

We unscrew this nut (you can use your fingers) and remove the front panel. Under it is a mounting plate, which we will then screw to the wall. The dimmer is disassembled and ready for installation.

We connect it according to the scheme (see below): we start the phase wire to one input (if there is an input marking, then to it), we connect the conductor to the second input, which goes to the lamp / chandelier.

It remains to fix. We insert the connected regulator into the mounting box, fix it with screws.

Then we impose the front panel, fix it with the nut removed earlier and, last of all, install the rotary disk. Dimmer installed. Turn on the power, check the work.

How to connect a dimmer to an LED lamp or strip

There are no fundamental differences in the connection method. The only peculiarity is that the dimmer is placed in front of the controller for LED lamps or strips (see diagram). There are no other differences.

Everything is exactly the same: the dimmer is placed in a break in the phase wire, but its output is fed to the input of the led lamp or tape controller.

Installation of the dimmer Fibaro FGD211 with a switch

The peculiarity of this model is that it is compatible with the "smart home" system and is controlled from a computer. There are devices that are controlled with a regulator installed in a convenient place.

Dimmers that are installed in the junction box to the switch are also placed in the gap of the phase wire, but the installation process itself is slightly different. The switch is also removed, we find the phase, we mark the wire. Next, we take a dimmer, connect the terminals 0 and N with a jumper (a piece of copper wire in a sheath). We connect wire segments 7-10 cm long to contacts S1 and Sx.

The next step is to connect the regulator to the wiring. We install the phase wire on the connector with the letter L, zero - on N. We fill the connected device into the mounting box (we bend the wires).

We screw the switch frame into place, then put on the front cover and keys, program the system and check the operation.

If you need to connect a dimmer controlled by a button, there will be two more contacts in it, to which you will need to connect a remote button.

Features of selection and operation

When choosing a dimmer, you need to pay attention not only to what lamps it can work with and what functions it has. It is also necessary to look at what total load it is designed for. A maximum of one light dimmer can "pull" 1000 watts of load, but most models are designed for 400-700 watts. Eminent manufacturers, depending on the power, have a significant difference in price. Chinese products do not have a tangible difference in cost.

name	Power	Maximum current	Compatibility	Price	Manufacturer
Volsten V01-11-D11-S Magenta 9008	600 W	2 A	Incandescent lamps	546 rub	Russia/China
TDM Valdai RL	600 W	1 A	Incandescent lamps	308 rub	Russia/China
MAKEL Mimoza	1000 W/IP 20	4 A	Incandescent lamps	1200 rub	Türkiye
Lezard Mira 701-1010-157	1000W/IP20	2 A	Incandescent lamps	770 rub	Türkiye/China

The second point to remember is that dimmers work with a minimum load. Those, in most cases, have a minimum of 40 watts, some thousanders have 100 watts. If the connected lamps are of lower power, they may flicker or not light up. This happens when LEDs are used instead of incandescent bulbs. In this case, one of the lamps is left old (incandescent), which will provide the required minimum load.

Other features of operation are related to compatibility. As already mentioned, conventional dimmers cannot work with fluorescent lamps (including energy-saving ones). Halogen ones simply do not react to changes in the shape of the pulse. And if you decide to replace incandescent bulbs with more economical ones, most likely you will have to change the dimmer as well.