Dimmer technology has evolved consistently since the harnessing of electricity.
Resistance Dimmers (varying the electrical resistance introduced into a circuit between power supply and lighting equipment). These can be lever operated, or by a wheel, or can be motorised. Wasteful of energy because as the resistance increases, the amount of power going to the lamp in the lantern is reduced, and the excess is lost as heat.
Electronic Dimmers – The electrical power is reduced by chopping the electrical waveform – far less wasteful of energy, but introduced interference on the electrical supply due to the rapid switching on and off of the current.
- Thyratron Dimmers
- Thyristor Dimmers
Digital Dimmers (Strand 1990)
Sinewave Dimmers – The electrical power is reduced by changing the amplitude of the alternating current sine wave.
Archive
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Furse Theatre Products
Strand
Rosco
EDI
Strand
Lightolier Controls
Strand
Strand
Strand
Malham
Zero 88
CCT Lighting
CCT Lighting
ELTEC
ELTEC
ELTEC
AVAB
Botex
ELTEC
ELTEC
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Green Ginger
Strand
Strand
Kliegl
Strand
Avolites
Light Processor
CCT Lighting
CCT Lighting
CCT Lighting
CCT Lighting
Strand
Celco
Arri
Dynamic Technology Ltd / DTL
Strand
Strand
Gaumont British
Green Ginger
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Siemens
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Furse Theatre Products
Strand
ADB
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Electrosonic
Strand
Strand
Strand
Century
Strand
Furse Theatre Products
Strand
Strand
Strand
Skirpan Lighting Control Corporation
Avolites
Strand
Strand
Avolites
Strand
Strand
Skirpan Lighting Control Corporation
Thorn Lighting
Strand
Strand
AVAB
Dynamic Technology Ltd / DTL
Dynamic Technology Ltd / DTL
Strand
Strand
Strand
Pulsar
Zero 88
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Arri
Arri
Pulsar
AVAB
Strand
Zero 88
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Zero 88
Strand
Strand
Avolites
MA Lighting
CCT Lighting
Electro Controls
Electronic Theatre Controls / ETC
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Strand
Zero 88
Strand
Strand
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Keywords: history lighting controls and dimmers, history of dimmers, dimmer technology, history of lighting dimmers