A wirewound transformer is not a resistive load
Thats what I meant really, I use inductive dimmers for wire wound, but always understood that inductive dimmers will still be ok to dim "resistive loads " like standard gls lamps, as well.
SMPSUs which are what the "transformers" for ELV lights actually are are not resistive loads either...
The mode ELV ones have a circuit in them though , that somehow makes them appear as a resistive load.
I don't know what the manufacturer means by a "resistive or passive dimmer"
I think, maybe they mean use a dimmer that will "dim a resistive load", rather than use a "resistive dimmer.
The passive bit I dont know
some seem to refer to normal dimmers as resistive dimmers
Like this example from a lighting site
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"What Type of Dimmer to use
For normal tungsten Lighting: Use a Resistive Dimmer
For mains voltage halogen lighting: Use a Resistive Dimmer, (but read the Dimmer manufacturer’s instruction leaflet, some manufacturers state that: When using their dimmers with mains voltage halogen lamps, you will need to down rate the maximum wattage capacity of their dimmer by a certain percentage).
For Low voltage lighting with a Leading Edge Electronic Transformer: Use a Leading Edge Resistive Dimmer.
For Low voltage lighting with a Trailing Edge Electronic Transformer: Use a Trailing Edge / Phase Lagging Resistive Dimmer.
For Low Voltage lighting with a Wire Wound Transformer: Use an Inductive Dimmer.
All Dimmers will produce some buzzing noise, either at the dimmer or at the light fitting, this is usual, but should not be audible so as to cause annoyance to someone with a normal quality of hearing.
If the correct dimmer has been installed and you experience a resonating noise from the light fitting, one should first check to ensure that the fitting has been securely mounted to the ceiling or wall and that there are no loose components on the light fitting, such as loose glass shades, as the resonance will cause these to vibrate.
Excessive noise and / or pulsations indicate a non compatible dimmer.
Beware of Dimmers claiming to be suitable for all types of lighting
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nobody makes that sort of dimmer.
Is that because a passive dimmer would get hot and be too big like you said in the previous post.
if you dont mind
Electronics wise, what is the difference between an inductive (VA) dimmer and a standard (as you say active) (WATT) dimmer then.
Do you have any links , as this is something I am interested in.
we get this problem daily and is why we only use the mode trans now.
Thanks
