Everybody likes dimmable lighting as they add a high value feature into the product that the end consumer always appreciate. The ability to dim the light according to each situation creates a new purpose for the them compared to those lamps without dimmer.

 

However, when it comes to adding a new dimmer not everybody is clear about the implications it has for the products depending on the configuration selected and how they interact with the mains and power inputs.  For this reason we will try to explain the three types of configuration available for the dimmers to understand how they work (beyond the dimmable option) and when they are better to use each of them depending on the input specifications used.

 

 

  • STANDARD:  This configuration is the most common when dimmers are used for decorative items and consist that the item dimmer will work independent from the main power (as long as the mains are on). This configuration is also the same as used on different household products or electrical appliances as TV for example. Even the mains are “on” the product will remain off until switched on from its one power button. This makes only the user is able to turn on the product directly from the lamp and not remotely activated.

 

  • DIRECT ON: This configuration it is created in order to activate the  products from a remote switch on the wall or unified controller board for hotels. This mode is very useful to those who wants to activate the lamps from their own wall switch instead of the lamp. Buttons on the lamp will still work as the standard mode but the priority is on the mains. This configuration has the advantage that the intensity of the dimmer will remain no matter what and can be remotely activated, however it has the setback that if the power is “off” and “on” accidentally the items will turn on under this method.

 

  • MEMORY MODE: This is the most advanced configuration system and it was created by the introduction of the Color Temperature Change  features and the necessity of keeping the intensity and color configuration under all circumstances.  With these memory dimmers the product will remain in the exact position set by the user (intensity and color) even powering “off” the mains. The dimmer has the ability to remember the settings even if no electricity input is arriving to the item (same as Direct on). Even this is the most advanced form of configuration it has the inconvenient that if the item is switched “off” from the product switch, the item will not switch “on” under no circumstance except activated from the product itself. This sometimes lead to confusions for home  users or when used with board controllers or multiple lights configurations.