Dimmer switches come of age
It may have been around for years, but ask anyone who has installed a dimmer switch in their home and they will tell you that it carries out a very important role in creating a convivial atmosphere in the important rooms in the house, especially the lounge and dining room.
In the early days of dimmer switches there were some concerns that the switch was inclined to heat up if operated for too long. These earlier dimmers did get hotter because of design flows as the dimmers were basically of a rheostatic design, which meant that the amount of voltage going to the light bulbs never varied. As the switch was turned down, the excess electricity was changed into heat. Although there are little or no cases of dimmer switches causing an electric fire, the one thing for sure is that dimmer switches of old were major energy guzzlers.
Today's dimmer switches are, as you would expect, considerably more energy efficient, the internal electronics that are used to operate the dimmer are as sophisticated as you will find and incredibly energy efficient. Considerably more accurate to operate than their predecessors, the dimmer switch of the 21st century is a modern day masterpiece of technology. Technology that means that 90 percent of the electricity that flows into the dimmer switch will make its way to the light bulb. Any heat felt coming from a modern dimmer switch results from the friction of the electricity flowing through the switch. Not only that but modern electronic dimmers are fitted with either a heat sink or a custom metal plate that is designed to direct any heat generated outwards towards the centre of the room, and not within the switch itself.
Installing a dimmer switch is far from complicated, although you are always recommended to find a qualified electrician to carry out the task. These days you can even buy a dimmer switch that contain minute LED light level indicators that can provide incredibly accurate dimming levels taking a 1000 watt capacity bulb down to 5% of its capacity. Not only have that but innovations now allowed the operation of dimmer switches through remote control!
The dimmer switch has come of age and now is the time to experiment the possibilities that they offer. Experience has shown that the special atmosphere they create cannot be equaled.
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