Wireless Leading&Trailing

Hi.

Wireless Leading Edge & Trailing Edge Units. What's the difference?
In one chart, if possible.

Thanks.
Valery.

 

The difference is for different load types.

Leading Edge dimmer unit is suitable for Inductive and Resistive load types. That means Iron Core transformers for low-voltage lighting or electric motors (Inductive) and Incandescent bulbs (Resistive) or similar.

Trailing Edge dimmer unit is suitable for Capacitive load types. That means Electronic Transformers for low-voltage lighting or similar.

The compatible load types for each are represented by graphics on the product label. The power ratings for the C-Bus Wireless Wall Plate products are identical in both cases.

 

Newman,

What about incandescent loads for TE dimmer?
As I can see in "2005 CIS New Products" (http://www.clipsal.com/pdf_files/C0000172.pdf) this dimmer supports incandescent loads. But in "C-BusWirelessUsersGuide" (http://www.clipsal.com/cis/pdf_files/C-BusWirelessUsersGuide.pdf) I can't see this. Which one is correct?

And could you please give us Electronic Transformer compatibility chart for Wireless dimmers?

Valery R.

 

Valery

Whilst the TE dimmer is capable of running incandescent loads it's not recommended. That brochure "2005 CIS New Products" was created before final testing on the product was complete. Subsequently, the recommendation for incandescent loads on the TE dimmer was removed.

The issue of compatability comes down to when the incandescent bulb fails, not normal operation. If it fails and momentarily goes short circuit as the filament collapses (often the case in upwards-facing incandescent bulbs) then there is a risk that the momentary short might damage one of the MOSFETs in the output stage of the TE dimmer. The LE dimmer uses TRIACs which are inherently more robust under these circuimstances.

As such, the TE unit is not recommended for use on incandescent loads. Whilst it may appear fine, you may be getting service calls when the bulbs fail. Evidence of damage will be that the user replaces the bulb but the light won't turn off, flickering at approximately 50% brightness.

W.R.T compatibility, I haven't seen an electronic LV transformer yet that won't work with the C-Bus Wireless TE Dimmer products.

 

Spot on Newman, with TE dimmers you can run as many electronic transformers as the VA rating of the particular dimmer channel will allow so there is no need for a compatability doc. Ditto with the use of TE dimmers on resistive (incandescent) loads I have had a Clipsal (non C-bus) 800W TE dimmer controlling some table lamps (ie globes 'up side down') and every time (twice in the past 4 years) that a globe has gone it has taken the FET with it. On two other installations that I have used the 450W TE Clipsal dimmer with the globe hanging down (used for the past 2 years) it's too early to say as niether of the globes has failed (and that is a hidden benifit of using dimmers they seem to increase the life of globes conciderably - whether it is the running at lower than 100% (ie dimmed) for some of the time or the 'soft start as they turn on (or a bit of both?) I am not sure).