A look at two dimmer modules. One is a really cheap 1 $/£ eBay module and one is a better quality one as sold in the UK for home use. The main differences are in the component ratings and suppression of electrical noise.
I did some more testing of the unusual potentiometer and the resistor section bridging to the middle pin is the fixed 5K resistance that seems to be part of a filtering circuit. The large conductive area is a deliberate dead zone where the knob activates the switch as you turn the dimmer on, and then it gradually decreases in resistance to the point where the rotation is limited at about 29K. Definitely custom-made for the dimmer application.
The inductor will allow low frequency current to flow without much impedance, but will block very sharp current transitions at the switching point.
The most common component to fail in dimmers is the triac, which usually goes short circuit, jamming the load on all the time.
The triac in the cheap dimmer is a PH600E / BT134 rated at 4A if fitted with a heatsink.
The triac in the more expensive suppressed dimmer is a BTA06-600C rated at 6A if fitted with a heatsink.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
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This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
I did some more testing of the unusual potentiometer and the resistor section bridging to the middle pin is the fixed 5K resistance that seems to be part of a filtering circuit. The large conductive area is a deliberate dead zone where the knob activates the switch as you turn the dimmer on, and then it gradually decreases in resistance to the point where the rotation is limited at about 29K. Definitely custom-made for the dimmer application.
The inductor will allow low frequency current to flow without much impedance, but will block very sharp current transitions at the switching point.
The most common component to fail in dimmers is the triac, which usually goes short circuit, jamming the load on all the time.
The triac in the cheap dimmer is a PH600E / BT134 rated at 4A if fitted with a heatsink.
The triac in the more expensive suppressed dimmer is a BTA06-600C rated at 6A if fitted with a heatsink.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
Can you think of a DIAC as a zener that works with AC ?
Classic sample triac circuit. Right from the included data sheets.
The fancy potentiometer is reminiscent of custom on its in older TVs with multiple taps and custom stops. Smart engineering to save on component count, construction labor, and improve reliability.
vs. a theater dimmer with a 500µS choke…
Hi Clive tell me can you use the joule thief only on alkaline batteries and no other like for instance a cell battery or rechargeable battery?
"So em, I'm gonna have to pull my knob off I'm afraid"
I love ur videos and the way u explain them … I know this is a little old video. But I have many old dimmers (exactly the same as UK ones) .. I'm opening them to play with the components inside for my own projects .. My question is do you know the value of the inductor? I don't have a way to measure it .. Thank you
If you look at the datasheet for the MOC3010 (I have the Fairchild one on my web site and here), they show the extra R and C being used "for inductive load".
Great explanation but could you show the 2way element please Clive, ie the third terminal
"I'm going to have to pull my knob off."
Someone phone an ambulance for Big Clive. 😁
Those modules can drive an ignition coil to very high voltages – active to 1uf capacitor to dimmer to coil primary and back to neutral. Great fun if keeping fingers and other parts at a distance. Great blogs with lots of variety. Thanks Clive
ahhh Clive been on your channel age's av just sussed out how to send replies i could not get them to send it was my pc anti virus scanner not letting me so hello love watching these keep them flowing the more the merrier 10/10
i for one approve of the extreme zooms.
I love and really appreciate the way you deacribe the very tiny bit of details. Your content is always very informative and interesting. Love
So interesting and I learn many thing from you but its better to test both with same lamp and same time to see diffrences.
Bahut badhiya. 👌👌👌👌👌 Maza aa gaya video dekh k. Kya jordaar explanation di hai yaar. Awesome 👍.