What's 0-10V Dimmer

                                               What's 0-10V Dimmer

This type of dimming first came into play as an early fluorescent dimming system. Big systems needed a way to dim down fixtures through electric and magnetic ballasts easily so that all of the lights could be dimmed at once and there was no need to replace anything more than the bulb when lights were replaced. 0-10 volt dimming created a solution to this and was low cost and low maintenance.

These 0-10V dimmers are still used in commercial applications for fluorescent lighting and occupancy/daylight sensor systems but are now becoming popular with the newest lighting technology, LED. This has become the norm for dimming and is widely integrated as it is one of the simplest systems and is recognized by the IEC so it is acceptable to all engineers.

0-10V dimming is a low voltage dimming system that works so the control signal is a DC voltage that varies between zero and ten volts. The lighting systems that are being controlled should scale the output so that at 10 volts the controlled light should be giving it’s full light output, and at 0 volts it should be at its dimmest level.

Limitations of 0-10V dimmers

The dimmers are dependent on the ballasts and drivers that are used with it. You need to make sure you know the specs and limitations of these drivers so you know exactly how the dimmer will work.

The control signal is a small analog voltage so on big systems long wires can cause a voltage drop that makes it so drivers will dim differently within the same system causing different lighting levels.

Our 0-10V dimmer can only control up to 25 lights so if you need more you will have to work with manufacturers to come up with a solution.

So as you can see 0-10V dimming is a great low voltage dimming solution to control LEDs and is great for the industry as LEDs continue to replace other lighting systems as it uses the 0-10V system that a lot of commercial applications already use.

Using 0-10v Dimmers with LED Power Supplies

0-10-volt dimmers produce varying light intensities from 10% to 100%. The design of many dimming switches causes the fixtures to continually run (albeit at a low power), even if the dimmer is turned all the way down. With the expansion of LED technology, more and more 0-10v dimmers have the ability to completely shut off light output without any additional switches; this provides great control over your electrical power and fixtures. There is also a consequential boost in efficiency, ensuring you get the advantage in both light output and energy savings. If your 0-10v dimmer does not have the ability to entirely switch off at its lowest dimming setting, an additional relay or switch can easily be installed to avoid wasting electricity and burning the fixtures out.