LET THERE BE LIGHT!! DIMMER POTENTIOMETERS AND SWITCHES
VIRTUALLY EVERY HOUSEHOLD TODAY USES SOME FORM OF LIGHTNING CONTROLLED BY A DIMMER. MOST FREQUENTLY, DIMMER SOLUTIONS ARE USED FOR LOW VOLTAGE HALOGEN LAMPS AS WELL AS STANDARD LIGHT BULBS.
Although microcontroller solutions are increasingly available as a convenient dimming solution, manual rotation-type dimmers with mechanical switching won't go away so easily, as they offer a significant cost advantage.
One key criterion for dimmer components is the required VDE approval. Normally, the manufacturer obtains VDE approval for resistive loads in temperature environments of 100° C (T100) and 85°C (T85) from the appropriate VDE testing authority. In addition, a prescribed number of switching cycles must be met, as set forth by the VDE standard.
TAIWAN ALPHA offers several different mechanical type dimmer potentiometers with integrated switch, and an overview of available products is provided below. Each of the series can be customized according to user requirements, since the shaft length, winding, connection pinout, resistance value, and desired "rotation feel" will vary according to the application.
The RV16KS Series
This series is available with or without the metal shaft, including latched versions for achieving the desired rotation feel. It also integrates a push-button pressure switch. Production of the RV16KS series has conformed to the RoHS directive since July 2004, and the devices are VDE T100 approved. The maximum rated switch load is 250VAC / 10 A. The RV16KS series is primarily intended for flush mounting applications and essentially corresponds one-to-one in construction design with PREH's Preostat 16 series, which is no longer in production. The integrated switch used in the RV16KS is available as a stand-alone component, also with VDE T100 approval (designated RV16KS-10-3T for the version with solder eyelets and RV16KS-40-3T for print mounting).
The RV16C Series
This series is equipped with an integrated rotary switch, and it provides a more cost-effective alternative to the RV16KS. The RV16C comes with a flattened plastic shaft as standard equipment. The maximum switch load is also rated at 250VAC / 10A. VDE T85 approval has been filed for and is expected to be final by the end of 2004.
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The RV16DP and RV16DS Series
TAIWAN ALPHA's new RV16DP and RV16DS series are designed for 250VAC/ 4A applications, with only marginal differences between them. The RV16DP is equipped with a push-button pressure switch, while the RV16DS uses a rotary switch. The connection pinout is also different, although the housing is virtually identical. At 250VAC / 4A, the rated switch load is significantly lower than either the RV16KS or RV16C series. VDE T85 approval has been filed for both RV16DP and RV16DS, and is also expected to be final by the end of 2004.
The RA2043 Series
This series of slide potentiometers is suited for use in cord dimmers requiring an extra switch, as one example only. The slide travel for the RA2043 series measures 20mm.
Other slide potentiometer versions are also available from TAIWAN ALPHA.
Please contact CODICO for more information on these products, or to receive your free copy of TAIWAN ALPHA's 2004 product catalog.
Dirk Voss, +49 6421 871 205
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