Is a 1 gang 2 way dimmer switch a potentiometer ?

p4id

Well-Known Member

• Feb 29, 2016

• #1

Sorry for the stupid question :-\ but I'm wondering if I can use a standard light dimmer (rated to 400w) to dim a hg-120h-c1050b or if I have to go to the electrical store for a potentiometer. I have tried to search this, but had no luck.

 

robincnn

Well-Known Member

• Feb 29, 2016

• #2

Very likely no.
You need 100K ohm potentiometer.
I do not think your standard dimmer is 100K ohm. You can check with a multimeter if you are curious

 

alesh

Well-Known Member

• Mar 1, 2016

• #3

robincnn said:

Very likely no.
You need 100K ohm potentiometer.
I do not think your standard dimmer is 100K ohm. You can check with a multimeter if you are curious

Click to expand...

These dimmers are usually TRIAC based I think. PCD series is made to work with standard dimmers BTW.

 

p4id

Well-Known Member

• Mar 1, 2016

• #4

Hi Alesh, what does that mean in laymen terms ? I does say for use with LED's amount other light types.

 

alesh

Well-Known Member

• Mar 1, 2016

• #5

p4id said:

Hi Alesh, what does that mean in laymen terms ? I does say for use with LED's amount other light types.

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Not much...
They're no use with MW 3in1 dimming. And it wouldn't make much sense to use PCD drivers just because of these dimmers.

 

p4id

Well-Known Member

• Mar 1, 2016

• #6

Cool, thanks, I'll take a drive and pick up a 100k potentiometer for £1.98 then.

 

alesh

Well-Known Member

• Mar 1, 2016

• #7

p4id said:

Cool, thanks, I'll take a drive and pick up a 100k potentiometer for £1.98 then.

Click to expand...

Get also a 10K resistor and wire it in series with the pot.