Dimming actuator

The technical requirements for the use of dimming actuators are very extensive. Why do I need a dimming actuator and which dimming actuator is the right one for me? In this eibabo catalog you will find many dimming actuators from different manufacturers, for example from the top brands ABB, Berker, Busch-Jaeger, Eaton, EVN, Gira, Hager, Issendorf, Jung, Lingg & Janke, MDT, Merten, Siemens and Theben various automation systems or conventional applications.

How do I plan the lighting correctly?

You should not start with the control technology first, because this follows at the very end of the lighting planning. First you should plan the lighting according to necessity, appearance, ambience and your own wishes, followed by the functional requirements and then find the right lights.

Save by planning!

The more precise, the cheaper the execution of the installations. The more complex the functional requirements are, the more important it is to plan and research a suitable SmartHome system.


Only then is the functional implementation carried out, which consists of many other topics.

What should I know beforehand?

  • Which lights do I want to install?
  • Do I want to use a conventional installation or a bus system?
  • Should the SmartHome be wired or radio (KNX, DALI, or Zigbee radio protocols such as Hue)?
  • Which lights are switched and/or dimmed together and how?
  • Should it be controlled via app or voice assistant?
  • and much more...

 

... this results in the following findings, for example:

  • Which cables and lines are required?
  • Which control components (e.g. dimming actuators) have to be considered?
  • To what extent do the operating resources have to be secured?
  • How much space must be provided in the electrical distribution?
  • Do I have to consider special flush-mounted sockets for lights?
  • and much more...

 

What do I have to consider before buying a dimming actuator?

Before you buy a KNX dimming actuator, the load types of the equipment and their performance should be checked carefully. There are basically 3 types of KNX dimming actuators. There are dimming actuators with the control type leading edge, trailing edge or universal dimming actuators that recognize the connected load type and automatically activate the correct type of control.

 


TIP:

Install a few more lights in the room and use a dimming actuator to create a pleasant lighting ambience.


 

KNX dimming actuators are available for installation in the electrical distribution system, then they have the suffix 'REG' for modular installation devices or as a concealed version 'UP' for installation in a mounting box or junction box or as an installation version 'EB' for integration in ducts or similar. 230V halogen lamps or incandescent lamps, for example, can be operated with both types of control.

What is the difference between leading edge dimming and trailing edge dimming?

Very simply explained; 12V low-voltage lighting (NV) with a conventional iron-core transformer requires phase control dimming, although these transformers are hardly ever used. 12V low-voltage lighting (NV) with an electronic transformer requires trailing edge dimming.

The type of dimming of the dimming actuator can be recognized by the abbreviation 'RL' for trailing edge dimming for incandescent lamps, 230 volt halogen lamps and the abbreviation 'RC' for trailing edge dimming for incandescent lamps, 230V high-voltage halogen lamps, 12V low-voltage halogen lamps, dimmable LEDs and dimmable ones energy-saving lamps. It is also possible that both abbreviations 'RC' and 'RL' can be found printed on the dimming actuator. Often you will also find this imprint: 'R, L, C'. It designates which equipment the dimming actuator can work with (dimmer, transformer, LED). If you find all 3 letters or the abbreviations 'RL' and 'RC', then it is usually a universal dimming actuator.

eibabo®, LED universal dimming actuator - 390041SR for KNX building automationImage: KNX LED universal dimming actuator - Jung 390041SR

In this case, however, the limit values of the power ranges for each type of dimming with connected equipment must be observed. Dimming actuators often have minimum loads, which may not be suitable for the use of LEDs. Trailing edge dimming 'RC' (trailing edge control) is the most common application. Basically, the lamp and the dimmer must be marked as 'dimmable' and fit together.

 


TIP:

For LEDs, we always recommend LED dimmers or LED controllers, which have also been developed for exactly this application.


 

If in doubt, you can also contact the manufacturer of the dimming actuator directly if you send a data sheet for the equipment (lamps and, if applicable, ballasts).

Can I dim a fluorescent lamp? Are energy-saving lamps dimmable?

Yes, fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps can also be dimmed, provided the lamp is suitable and marked as 'dimmable' or, in the case of fluorescent lamps, there is a dimmable electronic ballast (EVG) for 1-10V or the DALI standard. You can find KNX dimming actuators for electronic ballasts with a 1-10V interface under Smart Home > Light control unit. Another standard for electronic ballasts is DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). The advantage over the 1-10V variant is that addressing is possible and there is no wiring according to groups. Further advantages are direct addressing, status messages, scene memory and a wide range of dimming options with the DALI ECG.

How do I find out if my lamp / luminaire is dimmable?

Basically, the light source used should first be checked to see whether it is dimmable. You can find this marking in the item description or on the packaging. Lamps that have already been planned and fitted with light sources must be checked for dimmability and the type of control with the control gear used.

How do I determine the power for my dimming actuator?

It must be clear which light groups are to be switched and dimmed together and how high the total output (W/VA) of the group is in order to select the appropriate KNX dimming actuator with regard to the required maximum output, the minimum load and the number of channels as well as the type of control Find. eibabo always recommends a thorough analysis of the application prior to purchase. Lamps and illuminants must be technically analyzed and checked against the technical data of the dimming actuator. In addition, there are countless different parameter properties of KNX dimming actuators between the manufacturers.

Why can't I dim my LED light?

All dimming actuators meet the standard requirements for dimming. In addition, many manufacturers offer additional interesting parameters. These parameters may be functionally important for your project. The marking KNX universal dimming actuator does not automatically mean that these dimming actuators are also suitable for dimming the LEDs you use.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

Catalogue content:


In this eibabo® catalogue Installation bus systems > Dimming actuator for bus system you will find items from the following product groups:

Item overview:

  • Actuator
  • Basic module
  • Binary input
  • Brightness control
  • Bus technology
  • Control block
  • Control unit
  • Dimmer plug
  • Dimming actuators
  • Dimming extension
  • DIN rail
  • Energy efficient
  • Expansion module
  • Fan drive
  • Function module
  • Light controller
  • Lightbulbs
  • Lighting
  • Lighting technology
  • Luminaire control
  • Output module
  • Radio control
  • Radio receiver
  • Retrofit lamps
  • Socket cover
  • Starter pack
  • Universal dimmer
  • Universal dimming actuator


from the following manufacturers:

Manufacturer overview catalogue Dimming actuator:

  • ABB
  • Berker
  • Busch Jaeger
  • Eaton
  • Elso
  • Eltako
  • ESYLUX
  • Finder
  • frogblue AG
  • Gira
  • Hager
  • Issendorff
  • Jung
  • Legrand Bticino
  • Legrand SEKO
  • Lingg & Janke
  • MDT
  • Mean Well
  • Merten
  • Peha
  • Schneider Electric
  • Siemens
  • Theben
  • Wieland
  • Zumtobel


 
The technical requirements for the use of dimming actuators are very extensive. Why do I need a dimming actuator and which dimming actuator is the right one for me? In this eibabo catalog you will... read more »
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KNX dimming actuator - you should know this before you buy it

The technical requirements for the use of dimming actuators are very extensive. Why do I need a dimming actuator and which dimming actuator is the right one for me? In this eibabo catalog you will find many dimming actuators from different manufacturers, for example from the top brands ABB, Berker, Busch-Jaeger, Eaton, EVN, Gira, Hager, Issendorf, Jung, Lingg & Janke, MDT, Merten, Siemens and Theben various automation systems or conventional applications.

How do I plan the lighting correctly?

You should not start with the control technology first, because this follows at the very end of the lighting planning. First you should plan the lighting according to necessity, appearance, ambience and your own wishes, followed by the functional requirements and then find the right lights.

Save by planning!

The more precise, the cheaper the execution of the installations. The more complex the functional requirements are, the more important it is to plan and research a suitable SmartHome system.


Only then is the functional implementation carried out, which consists of many other topics.

What should I know beforehand?

  • Which lights do I want to install?
  • Do I want to use a conventional installation or a bus system?
  • Should the SmartHome be wired or radio (KNX, DALI, or Zigbee radio protocols such as Hue)?
  • Which lights are switched and/or dimmed together and how?
  • Should it be controlled via app or voice assistant?
  • and much more...

 

... this results in the following findings, for example:

  • Which cables and lines are required?
  • Which control components (e.g. dimming actuators) have to be considered?
  • To what extent do the operating resources have to be secured?
  • How much space must be provided in the electrical distribution?
  • Do I have to consider special flush-mounted sockets for lights?
  • and much more...

 

What do I have to consider before buying a dimming actuator?

Before you buy a KNX dimming actuator, the load types of the equipment and their performance should be checked carefully. There are basically 3 types of KNX dimming actuators. There are dimming actuators with the control type leading edge, trailing edge or universal dimming actuators that recognize the connected load type and automatically activate the correct type of control.

 


TIP:

Install a few more lights in the room and use a dimming actuator to create a pleasant lighting ambience.


 

KNX dimming actuators are available for installation in the electrical distribution system, then they have the suffix 'REG' for modular installation devices or as a concealed version 'UP' for installation in a mounting box or junction box or as an installation version 'EB' for integration in ducts or similar. 230V halogen lamps or incandescent lamps, for example, can be operated with both types of control.

What is the difference between leading edge dimming and trailing edge dimming?

Very simply explained; 12V low-voltage lighting (NV) with a conventional iron-core transformer requires phase control dimming, although these transformers are hardly ever used. 12V low-voltage lighting (NV) with an electronic transformer requires trailing edge dimming.

The type of dimming of the dimming actuator can be recognized by the abbreviation 'RL' for trailing edge dimming for incandescent lamps, 230 volt halogen lamps and the abbreviation 'RC' for trailing edge dimming for incandescent lamps, 230V high-voltage halogen lamps, 12V low-voltage halogen lamps, dimmable LEDs and dimmable ones energy-saving lamps. It is also possible that both abbreviations 'RC' and 'RL' can be found printed on the dimming actuator. Often you will also find this imprint: 'R, L, C'. It designates which equipment the dimming actuator can work with (dimmer, transformer, LED). If you find all 3 letters or the abbreviations 'RL' and 'RC', then it is usually a universal dimming actuator.

eibabo®, LED universal dimming actuator - 390041SR for KNX building automationImage: KNX LED universal dimming actuator - Jung 390041SR

In this case, however, the limit values of the power ranges for each type of dimming with connected equipment must be observed. Dimming actuators often have minimum loads, which may not be suitable for the use of LEDs. Trailing edge dimming 'RC' (trailing edge control) is the most common application. Basically, the lamp and the dimmer must be marked as 'dimmable' and fit together.

 


TIP:

For LEDs, we always recommend LED dimmers or LED controllers, which have also been developed for exactly this application.


 

If in doubt, you can also contact the manufacturer of the dimming actuator directly if you send a data sheet for the equipment (lamps and, if applicable, ballasts).

Can I dim a fluorescent lamp? Are energy-saving lamps dimmable?

Yes, fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps can also be dimmed, provided the lamp is suitable and marked as 'dimmable' or, in the case of fluorescent lamps, there is a dimmable electronic ballast (EVG) for 1-10V or the DALI standard. You can find KNX dimming actuators for electronic ballasts with a 1-10V interface under Smart Home > Light control unit. Another standard for electronic ballasts is DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface). The advantage over the 1-10V variant is that addressing is possible and there is no wiring according to groups. Further advantages are direct addressing, status messages, scene memory and a wide range of dimming options with the DALI ECG.

How do I find out if my lamp / luminaire is dimmable?

Basically, the light source used should first be checked to see whether it is dimmable. You can find this marking in the item description or on the packaging. Lamps that have already been planned and fitted with light sources must be checked for dimmability and the type of control with the control gear used.

How do I determine the power for my dimming actuator?

It must be clear which light groups are to be switched and dimmed together and how high the total output (W/VA) of the group is in order to select the appropriate KNX dimming actuator with regard to the required maximum output, the minimum load and the number of channels as well as the type of control Find. eibabo always recommends a thorough analysis of the application prior to purchase. Lamps and illuminants must be technically analyzed and checked against the technical data of the dimming actuator. In addition, there are countless different parameter properties of KNX dimming actuators between the manufacturers.

Why can't I dim my LED light?

All dimming actuators meet the standard requirements for dimming. In addition, many manufacturers offer additional interesting parameters. These parameters may be functionally important for your project. The marking KNX universal dimming actuator does not automatically mean that these dimming actuators are also suitable for dimming the LEDs you use.

 

eibabo - technology store

 

Catalogue content:


In this eibabo® catalogue Installation bus systems > Dimming actuator for bus system you will find items from the following product groups:

Item overview:

  • Actuator
  • Basic module
  • Binary input
  • Brightness control
  • Bus technology
  • Control block
  • Control unit
  • Dimmer plug
  • Dimming actuators
  • Dimming extension
  • DIN rail
  • Energy efficient
  • Expansion module
  • Fan drive
  • Function module
  • Light controller
  • Lightbulbs
  • Lighting
  • Lighting technology
  • Luminaire control
  • Output module
  • Radio control
  • Radio receiver
  • Retrofit lamps
  • Socket cover
  • Starter pack
  • Universal dimmer
  • Universal dimming actuator


from the following manufacturers:

Manufacturer overview catalogue Dimming actuator:

  • ABB
  • Berker
  • Busch Jaeger
  • Eaton
  • Elso
  • Eltako
  • ESYLUX
  • Finder
  • frogblue AG
  • Gira
  • Hager
  • Issendorff
  • Jung
  • Legrand Bticino
  • Legrand SEKO
  • Lingg & Janke
  • MDT
  • Mean Well
  • Merten
  • Peha
  • Schneider Electric
  • Siemens
  • Theben
  • Wieland
  • Zumtobel
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