Introduction:

A light dimmer is a device which varies the light intensity of a light source without appreciably
affectingthe spatial distribution of the light; usually an electric control device that varies the
current flow andhence the light output of the lamp. A dimmer room is a room in which are
located the dimmers for controlling the lights for an auditorium or theater.

Below are various definitions for a dimmer

-A remote device which reduces the light output of a stage lighting fixture by reducing the
totalwattage it receives, commonly grouped in banks, panels or packs. Present technology
usuallyhas a dimmer per circuit, as opposed to systems where a limited number of highwattagedimmers are patched to a larger quantity of circuits.

-In lighting, the electrical device (technically known as a potentiometer) that regulates
thecurrent passing through the bulb filaments and, thereby, the amount of light emitted from
thelighting instruments.
-Electronic controls that allow stage lighting to fade up or down slowly, as opposed to being onor
off only.
-A control that regulates light levels.
-Device which provides adjustable voltage to a lighting fixture to control light output. Can also
bea term to refer to a mechanical device, such as a shutter, that controls output.
-An instrument used to change the voltage of lights on the set, regulating in this way
thierintensity. NOTE:
Not recommended for color cinematography, as the color temperature of thelights will also
change.
-Controls the brightness of a particular fixture. A dimmer pack is a device used to control
afixture from a remote control panel.
Dimming may also be a feature within an intelligent light ora specific control device.
-A device that controls levels of light by varying the electric current.
-A device in the electrical circuit used for varying the brightness of lamps in a lighting
installation.
Dimming controls are ideal for any number of rooms because they allow you to change designthe
lighting to suit each mood and activity.

-An electronic device designed to regulate light output of incandescent and halogen lamps;
andfluorescent lamps in fixtures equipped with special dimming ballasts.
-To change the brightness of the display e.g. during night driving
-A rheostat that varies the current through an electric light in order to control the level
of illumination.
Light dimmers were in use for the past several decades. The concept behind the light dimmer
is to control the voltage to the light lamp or any source. Light dimmers regulate the voltage to
the sourcethey are connected to. This regulation of voltage increases or decreases the light
intensity. Lightdimmers first appeared in the market around 1960s.
In the beginning light dimmers used adjustablepower resistors and transformers to regulate the
voltage. The use of transformers in early light dimmersdid not prove a success. The light
dimmers produced poor results and were expensive and non durable.As the electronics made
progress over the time, new methods and components were invented.Thyristors and triacs came
to the market and because of these components, new modern light dimmerswere invented which
were cheap, durable and gave better results.Light
Dimmers are becoming very popular among the homeowners and builders. Light dimmers
aretaking the place of regular light switches and are being widely used for lighting control. Light
dimmer isbecoming a standard in homebuilding industry for light control. Light dimmer has many
advantages overconventional light switches.
Light dimmers come in many styles and control different types of lightsources. The modern light
dimmers offer convenience and flexibility. One of the most importantfeatures of newer light
dimmer is to offer 'presets'. This feature lets the user to set the light intensityaccording to
the mood or need. This powerful feature made the light dimmers a very popular need of ahouse
or a commercial building. This feature provides a real convenience in homes, hotels,
restaurantswhere the mood of the atmosphere can be set at the touch of a button. This also
saves the light dimmerfrom wear and tear in the long run.A light dimmer is a device which varies
the light intensity of a light source without appreciably affectingthe spatial distribution of the
light; usually an electric control device that varies the current flow andhence the light output of
the lamp. A dimmer room is a room in which are located the dimmers forcontrolling the lights for
an auditorium or theater.

How do Light Dimmers Work?

A light dimmer works by essentially chopping parts out of the AC voltage. This allows only parts
of thewaveform to pass to the lamp. The brightness of the lamp is determined by the power
transferred to it,so the more the waveform is chopped, the more it dims.Mains power is
comprised of an alternating current that flows in one direction and then in the other,along the
cable, at the rate of 50 or 60 cycles per second (known as Hertz). The value 50 or 60Hz
isdependent on the countries power system. The current alternates back and forth changing
direction atthe zero point.
If we were to look at this waveform it would appear as a stretched S shape on its side ~.
Draw a line through the middle and this is what is called the zero crossing point. At this instant
in timeno current is flowing in either direction. This is the point at which a dimmer is
electronicallysynchronized to turn the power ON or OFF. By chopping the waveform at the zerocrossing point,smooth dimming can be achieved without the lamp flickering. This turning on and

off of the powerdevice occurs every time the mains crossing point is reached (half phase), 100
or 120 times per second.Typically light dimmers are manufactured using a Triac or Thyristor as
the power control device. Theseelectronic parts are semiconductors not dissimilar to
transistors. A Thyristor is a Uni.-directional device
and hence, because AC power flows in both directions, two are needed. A triac is a bidirectional
deviceand therefore only one is needed. An electronic circuit determines the point in time at
which they turnON (conduct). The ON state continues until the next zero-crossing point, at
which point the device turnsitself OFF. The electronic circuit then provides a delay, which
equates to the dimness of the lamp, beforeturning the control device back on. The slight
capacitance of the load filters the chopped waveformresulting in a smooth light output.Some
controllers use a microprocessor control with the above timing function being handled by
ananalogue circuit. More sophisticated systems, called digital dimmers, operate the switching
direct frommicroprocessor. This has the advantage of greater reliability, quieter operation,
lower cost and smallercontrols.But in our concern, we used phototransistor and light emitting
diode in replacing the triacs andthyristor.
Instead of using the LED
and phototransistor, we use an opto-couplerbecause the LEDs light intensity in not sufficient
for the phototransistor to be operated in its ON state.Therefore we design a light
dimmer using an opto-coupler instead of triacs and thyristor.
OPERATION OF PHOTO TRANSISTOR

-Photo transistors are operated in their active regime, although the base connection is left
opencircuit or disconnected because it is not required. The base of the photo transistor would
onlybe used to bias the transistor so that additional collector current was flowing and this
wouldmask any current flowing as a result of the photo-action.
-The light enters the base region of the phototransistor where it causes hole electron pairs to
begenerated. This mainly occurs in the reverse biased base-collector junction. The holeelectronpairs move under the influence of the electric field and provide the base current,
causingelectrons to be injected into the emitter.
-The actual operation of a phototransistor depends on the biasing arrangement and
lightfrequency. For instance, if a PN junction is forward biased, the increased current through
the junctions due to incident light will be relatively insignificant. On the other hand, if the

same junction is reverse biased, the increase in current flow will be considerable and is a
function of the light intensity. Therefore, reverse bias is the normal mode of operation.

Operation of the Circuit

The brightness of the bulb depends on the amount of current flowing to its filament. Thus,
thelight bulb can be dimmed or made brighter by decreasing or increasing the current through
its filament,respectively.The light dimmer circuit uses phototransistor optocoupler(4N25) to
control the current flowingthrough the PNP transistor(TIP2955). The PNP transistor is the one
supplying the bulb with current, soit must be a power transistor with an adequate heat sink.The
base and load current of the PNP transistor(and therefore the brightness of the bulb as
well)can by adjusting the input current of the optocoupler.
Increasing the input current will result to anincrease in the light intensity of light emitting
diode(LED). The intensity of the light will trigger the baseof the phototransistor to conduct.
Increasing PNP transistor , which makes the latter more conductive.This in turn, causes a larger
current to flow through the bulb and make it brighter.
Increasing anddecreasing the input voltage is done by adjusting the 5 kilo ohms resistor.
List of Materials Used
10 kilo ohms Resistor5 kilo ohms PotentiometerTIP2955 PNP Transistor4N25 Optocoupler4
Volts BulbUniversal PCB

Advantages of Light Dimmer

Light dimmers do just what their name indicates-they allow you to lower or raise light levels so
that youcan use the amount of light appropriate to you. Although they were once only used in
movie theatersand playhouses, you can enjoy them in your own home. There are many advantages
to using lightdimmers.We have dealt with simple knob operated in wall dimmers but the more
sophisticated types areprogrammable. These dimmers often known as scene dimmers have many
advantages over manualones, including convenience, increased design flexibility, energy savings,
repeatability, reduced lampreplacement costs and security.Convenience & Ambience
Intelligent lighting forms part of home automation where the circuit levels are preprogrammedaccording to use and according to other factors such as time of day. Light fittings
can be controlledindividually or grouped together in circuits.
Each circuit or fitting can be set to be at a different level of brightness. These levels are then
stored as a "scene" which can best be though of as being a completelook of a room. Some
systems have 10 or more programmable scenes.Once set up scenes can be easily recalled
manually from touch screen, switch panels, infra-red orwireless remote controls. They can be
recalled automatically by time clock, or according to occupancy.Once a new scene is selected the
lighting will fade to the new set of levels at a pre-determined faderate.
Energy SavingWhen dimming a lamp the energy saved is as high as 98% of the proportion of
unused energy. Becausethe human eye perceives light non-linearly, it is possible to reduce light
levels by over 10% before thereduction in brightness is noticed. This would lead to a near 10%
saving in energy consumption. A 50%reduction in dimming levels would save around 40% of the
energy.
Intelligent dimmers ramp or fade a lamp to a preset level. This is particularly important when
the lamp isfirst turned on.
Incandescent lamps tend to fail at this point due to thermal shock of the cold lampfilament. By
fading the lamp to the set level, also know as "soft start", a lamps life is extendedconsiderably.

At 10% dimming, a lamp will last twice as long and at 50% dimming it will last 20 times aslong.
Voltage stabilisation, available on more expensive systems, protects lamps against spikes
andpeaks in mains voltage.Not all lamps are dimmable, some like compact fluorescent lamps, can
only be switched on or off.However, energy can still be saved even if they are turned off
automatically when not required. Forexample, during a bright day the lamps near a window can be
turned off where normally they would beleft on. A sensor that measures daylight provides an
input value to the controller that will measure thevalue over time and use that information to
switch or dim circuits to per-determined levels.
Energy savings can be derived through occupancy detection. Sensors are mounted in rooms,
whichdetect if there is movement within the room or area. They feed that information back to
the controller,

which counts a period of time that no movement has been detected for.
Each time movement isdetected the count will be reset. Once movement has not been detected
for a preset period of time thelighting in that room or area can be either switched off or turned
down to a low energy saving level.After a further period of no movement they can be turned off
altogether.
In warm climates and in thesummer months when air-conditioning is used, lowering the thermal
load of the lighting can also saveenergy.SecurityLighting can play an important part in security,
deterring intruders whether the property is occupied ornot. Low levels of illumination can be
programmed to operate at night in certain rooms or hallways.When the house is vacated lighting
levels can be selected that copy normal usage. This can be by timeclock or by selecting a vacation
mode.
Dimmed or selectively switched levels of illumination will saveenergy and is more effective than
leaving lighting on or using simple plug in timers.Light dimmers do just what their name indicatesthey allow you to lower or raise light levels so that youcan use the amount of light appropriate to
you. Although they were once only used in movie theatersand playhouses, you can enjoy them in
your own home. There are many advantages to using lightdimmers.More energy efficient than
regular lights. Because of the way that light dimmers work, only allowing aspecific amount of
light through at one time, they are very cost effective.Convenient. Let's say, for example, that
you want to check on your sleeping child. Rather than turn on abright overhead light that can
startle the child awake, all you have to do is turn on the light to a lowlevel.
Easily activated.
Instead of using a knob or switch, some lamps can be wired to be activated by touch.
If,for instance, you use a three way dimmer light, you can change the level of light to one of
threedifferent settings, simply by tapping the lamp.
Effect on your mood. Are you having a hard time reading that book? You can turn the lights up.
Want tohave a romantic dinner? Try turning the lights down. The correct lighting levels can have
a strong effecton the activity you are doing and set the appropriate tone.Variety of forms,
including touch activation, knobs, slides, levers, or remote control. Look for dimmerswitches
made by Lutron, one of the leading dimmer manufacturers in the U.S.Variety of colors.
If you want to add a dimmer to your home, you don't have to go out and buy new wallplate covers
or switches. Most manufacturers offer numerous colors, one of which is sure to match
thecurrent color of your home furnishings.Many purposes. Say, for example, you just finished
decorating your Christmas tree with lights. The onlyproblem is, at nighttime, they're too bright!
Christmas tree light dimmers can control the output of light,adding a nice touch to your holiday
season.

Disadvantages of light
1.It is not use in high powered system.
2.It is more expensive to buy but this additional cost is recovered in energy saving and they
lastlonger.
3.It is more complicated.
How to Select the Right Light Dimmer:
Step by step questions to ask:
1.Which rooms do you want to dim the lights in?
-Do you want light dimmer switches for one room, a few rooms, or a complete homedimming
system?
2.What kind of light bulbs do you want to dim?
3.How many lights do you want to dim, total wattage of the lights?
4.Do you want your lights to be controlled from more than one location?
-How many dimmer switches do you want for the same set of lights?
5.Do you want to be able to use a remote control to dim the lights?
Do you want to monitor and control lights throughout the entire house remotely?
Documentations
a.)Construction of the PCB