A TRIAC lighting control may seem like something out of a Star Trek episode, but it’s one of the first methods for regulating dimmable lights.
TRIAC dimmers have gone out of favor as the world has moved toward the LED standard. However, there are still many scenarios in which a smart TRIAC dimmer might be useful. This begs the question, are there any sensible brands producing TRIAC dimmers?
Yes, Lutron’s Diva product range includes a line of smart TRIAC dimmers. The Caseta dimmers, on the other hand, are not TRIAC. There are more smart brands with alternatives available as well. This article will show you all you really want to be familiar with TRIAC dimmers, their alternatives, and how to have complete control over the lights in your smart home.
What Is A TRIAC Dimmer?
TRIAC is an abbreviation for “Triode for Alternating Current.” In any case, don’t be put off by the specific sounding term. We’ll convert all of the technical electrical engineering jargon into plain English. You’ll be able to talk about TRIAC dimmers like an expert by the conclusion of this session.
TRIAC dimmers are the traditional method of lighting control. These lighting dimmers were first intended to work with incandescent light bulbs. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s going on within these dimmer switches. A TRIAC dimmer is built to withstand high voltage and current levels. For this reason TRIAC regulators are habitually seen running engines and fans. These dimers are sufficiently strong to deal with something beyond your standard home lighting.
what can find a circuit inside a TRIAC dimmer switch. This circuit may convert high-powered electrical currents into lower-powered outputs. This indicates that the switch can only release a portion of the energy that enters the switch.
You may have guessed why TRIAC dimmers have gone out of favor with our smart lighting. what created these dimmers to accommodate the substantially higher demand demanded by obsolete lighting technology. Modern LED lighting consumes very little power and does not require the muscle that a TRIAC dimmer gives.
However, TRIAC dimmers have significant advantages that make them appropriate for many smart home applications.
Benefits Of TRIAC Dimmers
TRIAC dimmers were being phased out in the early days of LED lighting.
A TRIAC dimmer operates by pulsating the electrical current sent to the lamp. This causes the light to dim in an incandescent lamp. On the other hand, LED illumination can only be turned on or off. Pulsing the current to these lights might cause them to be damaged or flicker.
With this in mind, are there any benefits to utilizing TRIAC dimmers today?
Yes, the answer is yes.
LED lighting and TRIAC dimmers have come a long way from those early days. Modern TRIAC dimmers can now manage dimming for both LED and traditional lighting. Subsequently, they are a brilliant decision for blended use frameworks that include both LED and non-LED lighting.
LED lights do not operate in a variety of situations. LED lights frequently fall short in historical contexts, particularly with vintage lighting equipment and some industrial or technical lighting systems. In these instances, a TRIAC dimmer may be the ideal answer.
TRIAC dimmers are also well-suited to hardwired lighting. Even though a hardwired lighting fixture employs LED lights, a TRIAC dimmer switch may be required for effective operation. This is due to the way the hardwired fixture pulls power.
TRIAC dimmers also offer one unnoticed advantage, which we mentioned previously.
Because TRIAC dimmers can manage far more power than current LED dimmers, what may utilize them to regulate the energy flowing into devices other than lights. TRIAC dimmers are excellent for managing both fan and motor speeds. If you’re searching for smart fan control or smart motor control, a TRIAC dimmer can provide some fascinating alternatives to expand the capabilities of your smart home truly.
We are living in an era with more smart technology than ever before. Things that were cutting-edge DIY projects just a few years ago are now out-of-the-box technology. A clever TRIAC dimmer puts some of the DIY fun back in your hands.
If you have any old-school lights that you don’t want to part with, or if you want to play in the smart home DIY sandbox, a TRIAC dimmer can open up a whole new world of possibilities for you.
So, are there any clever tech businesses out there venturing into the unknown to create their TRIAC dimmers?
Does Lutron Offer TRIAC Dimmers?
Yes, to a point.
Caseta is one of Lutron’s numerous product offerings. Caseta offers a diverse product line and is an excellent solution for most of today’s LED-based home lighting systems. Case, then again, doesn’t have a TRIAC dimmer.
There’s good news for those who adore the Lutron brand but still seek a smart switch that works with their TRIAC requirements. Lutron also offers a product range named Diva. One of the Diva switches is fully capable of working with TRIAC systems.
what created this Lutron dimmable switch to operate especially with systems that employ both LED lights and halogen and incandescent bulbs. It can function with a broader range of lighting systems than the Lutron Caseta dimmers since it is a TRIAC dimmer.
It also has all the smart features you’d expect from a Lutron system. These TRIAC switches may be fully connected with the rest of Lutron’s equipment, which means they will also fully sync with your smart home.
If the Lutron brand isn’t your style, there are a couple of more decisions to think about when looking for a shrewd TRIAC dimmer.
Alternative Smart Switches That Are Also TRIAC Dimmers
When it comes to choosing a smart dimmer switch, Lutron is undoubtedly the biggest and one of the finest names in town. However, some newcomers to the market create a name for themselves by pursuing novel techniques to dim TRIAC lights using smart technology.
We should view a portion of the opponents.
GLEDOPTO’s Triac Dimmer
GLEDOPTO’s Triac Dimmer Triac Dimmer works well with various lighting types (including LEDs, halogen, and incandescent lights) and is ZigBee based, allowing it to be controlled by the Hue Bridge or 4th Gen Echo devices.
I tried it out for myself, and it works great.
Yoswit Smart Dimmer Module Works
Our first two smart dimmer switches aren’t dimmer.
These Yoswit TRIAC modules are hooked directly into the lighting unit rather than replacing the switch on your wall. They don’t have any physical buttons for controlling the illumination. Rather, they connect to your smart home system and provide you with direct control over your lighting.
A Bluetooth mesh network is used to link this dimmer module to your smart home. This will save up some Wi-Fi bandwidth while still allowing you to manage your lighting.
The most significant disadvantage of these first two dimmer modules is the lack of physical buttons. what can only operate them via applications or voice commands via Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant.
Harolux Smart Dimmer
The Harolux Smart Dimmer, like the first on our list, is a dimmer module. It is immediately plugged into your lights and provides smart control without the need to modify the switches on your walls.
These solutions can be a wonderful alternative for illumination without an easily available switch. External lighting is a fantastic example of a light fixture that might benefit from a TRIAC dimmer but may not have an easily accessible control.
This dimmer connects to your smart home system through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Overall, dimmer modules offer a lightweight alternative for dimming lighting that smart switches cannot. If you’re willing to put in the effort to install these modules, you’ll be compensated with an immaculate shrewd home framework.
Smart Touch LED Dimmer Switch
The Smart Touch LED dimmer switch is a TRIAC switch that serves as a Lutron alternative.
Unlike the previous two dimmer modules, this is a true wall-mounted light switch.
The Smart Touch option offers a very different aesthetic than Lutron. On the other hand, the Lutron switches are built in a modern and subtle manner, with plainly named buttons and a more open way to deal with lighting the board.
The Smart Touch TRIAC dimmer might be a wonderful alternative for you if you want something simple to use and has clear controls.
The Smart Touch switch operates via its software, accessible for both Apple and Android devices. It also works with most popular smart home systems, including those provided by Google and Amazon.
Now, let’s look at several TRIAC dimmer options and why you desire them.
Alternatives To TRIAC Dimmers
As stated in the beginning of this piece, TRIAC dimmers are on their way out. Modern LED lighting technology consumes relatively little power and soon becomes the industry standard for household illumination. This means that as more systems switch to LED lighting, the need for TRIAC dimmers will naturally decrease.
An ELV or MLV dimmer may be a better option for you.
ELV Dimmers
When it comes to dimming LED lights, ELV dimmers are the industry standard. Lutron Caseta is a well-known manufacturer of these sorts of LED light dimmers.
The majority of smart lighting technology on the market was designed with ELV in mind. It was probably meant to be dimmed with an ELV dimmer if you can dim an LED light.
This is what makes it all the way. ELV is an abbreviation for “electronic low-voltage.” This is exactly what LED stands for.
MLV Dimmers
MLV is an abbreviation for magnetic low-voltage. These are dimmers made to operate with certain lights that employ magnetic drivers in their systems. Older chandeliers and fluorescent lighting banks are two common places to locate an MLV dimmer switch.
Lutron Caseta is compatible with many MLV lights. However, it may not work with yours. To check if Caseta can operate with your MLV lighting, you’ll need to look into your lighting specifications.
Other smart brands with MLV choices include Fibaro and Aeotec.
A smart dimmer is available that can assist you in fine-tuning your smart home system.
