Dimmer lighting systems are widely used for indoor lighting to provide a controlled illumination experience. Dimmers are devices that control the amount of electricity that passes through an electrical circuit. Dimmer systems act like active transformers, responding to the levels sent to them from lighting consoles and passing those levels on to lamps. This guide covers some of the common terms that you will need to know while working with dimmer switches, such as sliding dimmer, touch dimmer, ganging and patching.

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Single-pole dimmer switch

A single-pole dimmer switch controls a circuit from a single location. It has two wire leads plus a ground lead.

I recommend: If you want to learn more about single pole switches, visit Repair-Home, an online information resource.

Electronic dimmer switch

An electronic dimmer switch consists of a series of buttons, each controlling varying levels of light. The switch often doubles up as a night light as it has an illuminating backlight.

I recommend: RONA, a distributor of hardware and home renovation products, offers information about electronic dimmers and their applications.

Sliding dimmer

A sliding dimmer allows considerable energy savings, as it only consumes the wattage necessary for the selected intensity. It has a switch that enables you to keep the selected intensity. That way, you do not have to adjust the lighting level each time you turn it on and off.

I recommend: If you want to learn about sliding dimmers, check out the Toronto Star.

Touch dimmer

A touch dimmer is turned on and off by touching a wire contact instead of flicking a lever like a regular switch. Touch switches have no mechanical parts to wear out so they last a lot longer than regular switches. You can use touch switches in wet or dusty areas where regular switches would not last.

I recommend: John Lewis publishes information about touch dimmer switches and remote dimmer switches.

Ganging

Ganging refers to the mounting of two or more controls side by side within one enclosure.

I recommend: You can browse through Lutron Wall Dimmers for detailed information about ganging.

De-rating

De-rating is the reduction of the maximum capacity (load) that a dimmer can reliably handle when the side sections are removed.

I recommend: For detailed information on de-rating, visit the Reliability Analysis Center (PDF), an online resource.

Patching

Patching is the act of interconnecting devices in a (lighting) system, especially connecting lanterns to dimmers.

I recommend: I.A.T.S.E. Local 46 (PDF) publishes detailed information about patching.

Dimmer switch manufacturers got it spot-on when they developed the dimmer switch: a simple and convenient way to control the amount of light in a room, aside from just "on" or "off." Different atmospheres require different lighting; it's nice to be able to dim the lights during a romantic evening with your significant other, but be able to turn the lights up when you want to relax with a book.

Homeowners are remodeling their homes more and more these days, and many are installing customized light dimmer switches to add a bit of ambiance to different rooms of their house.

1. Buy basic electrical dimmer switches that can function in a variety of applications.

2. Encourage customers to upgrade to remote dimmer switches, as this will add a touch of convenience and class to their homes while allowing you to reap a more healthy profit.

3. Stock up on discount dimmer switches to maximize your profit.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the basic electrical dimmer switches

Dimmer switches can be wired to a multitude of lights or just a single overhead chandelier. Your customers are likely to demand that you fulfill their every need: be prepared.

I recommend: Order all your basics from LAMPS PLUS, which has every kind of dimmer you can imagine, including newer energy-efficient switches. Also check out the selection of Lutron and Leviton dimmers at YLighting.

Add convenience to your customers' lives by installing remote dimmer switches

It's great to be able to stay seated on the couch and turn down your overhead lights. When you're falling asleep reading a book in bed, you don't want to have to get up to turn the lights off. Remind your customers of these facts to entice them to use the remote dimmer switch instead of the standard one. They cost a little bit more but require the same amount of labor, so you make a profit while they get convenience.

I recommend: Offer top-of-the-line remote dimmer switches from Lighting Unlimited. Install a whole-house system of state of the art remote equipment from SMARTHOME.

Increase your profits by using discount dimmer switches

Cheaper doesn't have to mean that you sacrifice quality. Buying in bulk or from wholesalers is a great way to lower your materials costs and increase your bottom line.

I recommend: Let your customers select from a wide variety of styles and colors of dimmer switches from Westside Wholesale. Hardware and Tools Corp. offers bulk discounts on their switches.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Industrial dimmer switches are used for stage performances when multiple lights needs to be controlled at the same time. This is a much more complex system to hook up, but it can bring your business some well-paying clients.

If you want to use dimmer switches, you must be aware of their types, applications and safety measures.

For dimmer switch manufacturers, it is always beneficial to update your knowledge about the various types of electrical dimmer switches. Distributors of dimmer switches can stay ahead of their competition by having up-to-date information about the latest technologies and products in this field.

If you are a dimmer switch supplier, you can use different magazines and online publications to update your knowledge about new technological developments and current events in the field of dimmer switches.

To educate yourself and/or your employees on dimmer switches, you can:

1. Read through basic information about dimmer switches
2. Subscribe to magazines that deal with dimmer switches
3. Join associations catering to the dimmer switches industry
4. Seek an expert's advice in case of any doubts or queries regarding dimmer switches

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of dimmer switches and the relevant terminology

You can find basic information about dimmer switches by browsing through different online resources. Additionally, some reputable data publishing companies also provide information on dimmer switches.

I recommend: If you are a dimmer switch manufacturer, you can refer to John Lewis, an e-shopping site that publishes ‘Switches and Dimmers Buying Guide’, which explains the various types of switches, like remote dimmer switches and touch dimmer switches. Additionally, electronics manufacturers offers basic information about electrical products, including dimmer switches. Buildings.com also publishes detailed information on electrical dimmer switch products, their types and applications.

Update your knowledge about dimmer switches

Magazines can provide up-to-date information about the latest industrial dimmer switches. You can subscribe to such magazines to keep track of all the developments in this field. You can also join various associations to benefit from the information available from colleagues in the industry.

I recommend: You can subscribe to the magazine ‘Hardware & DIY’ to get insights into the latest dimmer switches market trends to stay ahead of your competition. Being a member of The American Lighting Association will give you a platform for communication and interaction between the experts, suppliers and customers of electrical dimmer switches.

Understand the maintenance principles and safety measures related to dimmer switches

Following safety procedures is very important while working with any electrical appliance. Therefore, keep yourself and your employees informed about the necessary maintenance tasks and safety measures related to dimmer switches.

I recommend: DIY Network publishes an informative article on safety precautions that you will need to follow while installing and using dimmer switches. You can also refer to Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) to understand the safety precautions while using dimmer switches.