Dimmer Switch?

[Crakkers]

Hi

I am working on designing and making my own bedside lamp. I want a dimmer switch on it if possible.

Can I buy a typical wall dimmer from Toolstation for example and use it? If so, what would I need? I dont understand the difference between 1 gang and 2 gang, 1 way and 2 way -.

How would I wire it?

Basically I want to have a wire from the plug that comes from the wall, into the base of the lamp that contains the dimmer then a wire up the stem to the bulb.

Any sound, helpful advice will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Screech20]

Have a search for an 'inline dimmer switch'

 

[danechip]

Run your live wire into com. 2nd wire from L1 to your lamp. If it's backwards for your needs, swap L1 to L2.

 

[Crakkers]

Oh, thanks looks like a plan!

 

[Taylortwocities]

Run your live wire into com. 2nd wire from L1 to your lamp. If it's backwards for your needs, swap L1 to L2.

It won't matter if it's a push/rotary dimmer!
But, as above, he'd be better with an inline dimmer.

 

[danechip]

Doesn't the dimmer work 'backwards' though with L2 like volume in reverse? I didn't mean swap line and load..

 

[PBC_1966]

Doesn't the dimmer work 'backwards' though with L2 like volume in reverse?.

No, a dimmer with an L2 terminal just incorporates a 2-way switch rather than a simple on/off. The rotary control still works the same way (clockwise for brighter) whether you use L1 or L2.

 

[danechip]

Never knew that. I learn't sommat today. Just thought I had got lucky every time.

 

[danechip]

Can't get my head around this. Line to centre tap. So each end being 0 resistance to max so I would have thought other way around would be reverse of this.

 

[PBC_1966]

Can't get my head around this. Line to centre tap. So each end being 0 resistance to max so I would have thought other way around would be reverse of this.

If it were a simple potentiometer with Com to the wiper and L1 & L2 at each end of the track, then yes, whether you connected to L1 or L2 would affect which way you turned the knob to increase brightness. But these modern dimmers aren't just a rheostat, they're an electronic circuit incorporating a triac to control lamp brightness.

 

[PBC_1966]

If it helps, imagine a simple 2-terminal rheostat with one side connected to the common of a separate 2-way switch. Now imagine putting the two devices together into one package with the 2-way switch part operated by pushing the knob, but electrically still connected the same way. That's conceptually what you have with the modern 2-way dimmer, it's just that the rheostat part is actually a more complicated electronic circuit.

 

[danechip]

Have that, Thanks.

 

[Crakkers]

OK I have to now re open this thread.

It looks like we need an inline dimmer switch that will work with a 6w led bulb.

Can anyone recommend such an item?

Cheers

 

[endecotp]

Do you already have the LED bulb?
Some LEDs are not dimmable. Those that are dimmable will tell you what sort of dimmers they work with.