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Basic Lamp Dimmer

This document summarizes the design and operation of a basic lamp dimmer circuit using a triac. The circuit replaces the traditional uniunction transistor design with a two-transistor "flasher" circuit that drives a pulse transformer to trigger the triac. The flasher circuit generates a positive voltage pulse on each half-cycle that, after a delay set by R and C, triggers the triac. The circuit can be controlled manually with a potentiometer or electronically using an opto-isolator. Safety precautions are emphasized as the entire circuit operates at line voltage.

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98 views2 pages

Basic Lamp Dimmer

This document summarizes the design and operation of a basic lamp dimmer circuit using a triac. The circuit replaces the traditional uniunction transistor design with a two-transistor "flasher" circuit that drives a pulse transformer to trigger the triac. The flasher circuit generates a positive voltage pulse on each half-cycle that, after a delay set by R and C, triggers the triac. The circuit can be controlled manually with a potentiometer or electronically using an opto-isolator. Safety precautions are emphasized as the entire circuit operates at line voltage.

Uploaded by

ejoaomelchiors
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Basic Lamp Dimmer

Lamp dimmers using traics can be quite simple, nothing more than a
potentiometer, resistor, capacitor and triac with a built-in diac. (See Teccor's
application note for examples and other technical data.) The circuit below is
similar to designs using uniunction transistors to generate the triggering pulse.
The uniunction is replaced b! a two-transistor "#asher" circuit that dri$es a pulse
transformer. This t!pe of circuit gi$es a wide range of control while exhibiting
little h!steresis or line $oltage sensiti$it!. The two diodes rectif! the line $oltage
such that the #asher sees a positi$e $oltage pulse on each half-c!cle and, after a
dela! set b! % and the &.'u( capacitor, the #asher circuit triggers the triac. The
capacitor discharge is deep so the dimmer starts fresh on the next half-c!cle.
)ote that the triac alwa!s gets the same polarit! of trigger pulse.
The dimmer ma! be controlled in a number of wa!s. The *rst option for % shows a
t!pical mechanical control and the second option shows the use of an opto-
isolator for electricall! controlling the dimmer. The electronic control would be
useful in applications li+e computer control, color organs, power #ashers, heaters,
speed controllers, and other feedbac+ s!stems. The base of the ,), is another
sensiti$e spot to add control but the designer must remember that the whole
circuit must be #oating and large $oltage swings are present.
Remember, the entire circuit is "hot" and dangerous! Line power
circuitry should be constructed only by qualifed persons.
G! brea"ers are always a good idea!
The #asher could be powered from a full-wa$e recti*ed transformer secondar! if
line isolation is desired. -o not *lter the recti*ed $oltage or the circuit will not
wor+ properl!. .se a fairl! high $oltage secondar!, perhaps /& 0%1S to get full
power control. (Lower if using a 2)33&'.)
The circuit will generate signi*cant %( noise and a line *lter is recommended. (4t
is usuall! prett! eas! to *nd potted line *lters in surplus catalogs.) 5lso, ma+e
sure to include a fuse, as indicated.
The circuit ma! be used for other 56 applications including motor speed control
and the cle$er designer might add in positi$e feedbac+ based on current
consumption to achie$e near constant motor %,1 with changing load (a non-
tri$ial challenge). 7r, consider appl!ing negati$e feedbac+ $ia the optoisolator.
Substitutions8
The ')3&&9 onl! see about '&& $olts re$erse and the current is fairl! low so other
recti*ers ma! be substituted. The 2)///' ma! be replaced with a lower $oltage
transistor li+e the 2)33&' if the '&+ resistor is decreased to :.;+ (to limit the
collector $oltage). (ull brightness will be reduced a slight amount but for most
applications the loss will be insigni*cant. The 2<+ resistors should be at least '=2
watt or the resourceful experimenter ma! wish to double their $alue along with
the '&+ if the triac is su>cientl! sensiti$e. The pulse transformer was designed
for triggering th!ristors but other t!pes ma! wor+ as substitutes - tr! a '8' phone
transformer, for example.
?ere is a hand-made dimmer built onto a piece of laminate. The triac is an %65
T2<'& and the pulse transformer is a Sprague '8', ::@A&:. (Both are older parts
from m! $ast surplus collectionC) %ead the construction page for more
information about this proect. .sers of Dxpress,6B ma! download the design *le.
The board was built into a grounded metal chassis with a line *lter and fuse.
http://www.techlib.com/electronics/power_control.htm

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