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Taylorbrite Dimmers
for Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting FREE SHIPPING TaylorBrite
Electronic Ballast TIR-Total Internal Reflection Lens
Captures nearly 100% of the light emitted by a source while
maintaining a pro-file 1/4 to 1/8 the
height of parabolic mirror systems.
TaylorBrite’s
electronic ballasts feature full dimming
capability which offers true energy
savings. Power consumption is directly
reduced as the level of illumination is
lowered. This is in contrast to
conventional systems which absorb, and
thereby waste, the excess power to reduce
light output. Furthermore, this solid
state device protects against damage from
voltage fluctuations. Because the ballast
operates at a high frequency, the light
is flicker-free.
Taylorbrite Slim Bezel CCF Dimmers
*Switch: 2-Way (On/Off)
*Wired for 3-Way configuration
*Height: 3.125" Width: 1.563"
*Depth: 1.50" Weight: 0.63 lbs
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Taylorbrite Slim Bezel CCF Dimmers |
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***Free
Shipping offer is only valid for purchases being shipped
via ground, within the continental US. All orders being
returned, refused, or mis-orders by the customer, will
be charged a shipping fee. When credit is issued to the
customer the cost of shipping will be deducted from the
credit amount. Shipping charges will apply to special
orders, specialty items and wholesale orders. |
Taylorbrite CCF Dimming System
Background
Some light sources are easy to dim. Incandescent lamps
are dimmed by simply reducing the voltage applied,
either directly or by various electrical wave-shaping
techniques. However, hot filament based discharge lamps,
like fluorescents or halogens, require a certain
constant power level to keep the
filament(s) hot.
Certain pulse shaping techniques can be used to provide
at least partial dimming for these kinds of lamps, but
there is a price to pay in terms of reduced life. A hot
filament lamp running partially dimmed may operate for
less than half of its normal lifetime! Fortunately, CCF
lamps, with their robust electrodes, do not suffer from
these drawbacks.
Operation
Taylorbrite's dimming system uses a technique known as
Pulse Group Modulation, or PGM. CCF lamps are best
excited by AC voltages in the 20kHz to 50kHz range. The
ideal wave shape is a "sine" wave, similar to
the AC voltage wave shape found at a typical wall
outlet. This wave shape is preferred because it
generates the least amount of radio frequency
interference (RFI). For the purposes of this discussion,
we will refer to one cycle of the sine wave shape as a
'pulse'. Since the frequency of these pulses is fixed,
say at 20kHz, then one pulse will occur every 50uS
(1/20,000 second). This is very fast. So fast that if we
were to remove one pulse, the eye would never notice it,
right? Not exactly. In fact, the brain will average the
pulses of light and will cause us to 'see' a brightness
level lower than what we normally perceive to be
full-on.
The process of removing pulses from groups is called
"Modulation". Hence the term PGM means 'removing pulses
from groups'. As long as the pulse removal process
continues to occur fast enough, the eye and brain will
continue to average the result. Very effective dimming
can be obtained down to 1% of full brightness!
In order for this system to function, the lamp's power
supply must be designed to implement this modulation
technique. Consequently, a third wire is supplied for
the modulation control signal. This signal is generated
by the Taylorbrite dimmer module.
Benefits
The true benefit of this system is the ability to dim
efficiently, without generating heat. Furthermore,
dimming does not impede the life of the electrode, nor
does it create RFI. Because a "signal" is sent from the
dimmer that alters the frequency of the sine wave, power
draw of the CCF lights is reduced in proportion to the
light output. This is ideal for maintaining battery
capacity at night, when full brightness is not
necessary, but a slight amount of light may be desired.
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Lighting
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