Electronic lighting dimmer circuit

This electronic lighting dimmer circuit is used to control the lamp for arbitrary brightness. This electronic lamp dimmer circuit work for incandescent lamp, not a fluorescent one. The dimmer circuit here work for both 110V and 220V AC.

The dimmer circuit is wired in series with the lamp, you can say the dimmer circuits is installed in series with the lamp. Be careful that the circuit is not isolated from high voltage, so the potentiometer should be installed with plastic knob. Don’t touch the circuit or you’ll be shocked by the electricity.

The lighting dimmer control is done by the potentiometer, you need to turn right or left to adjust the lamp’s brightness.
The lamp dimmer has no switch, you can see only a fuse for safety. You can add a switch in series with the fuse, or just insert this dimmer circuit between the existing swith and the lamp.

Lamp dimmer circuit diagram

For more lighting dimmer circuits check the related links bellow.
Capacitor C4 is charged via resistors R3, R4, P1, and R5. After a certain time, dependant on the potentiometer, the charge contained in C4 is large enough for diac D to start conducting, so that a firing pulse is applied to the gate of the triac. Consequently the triac conducts and power is transferred to the lamp.

Lighting dimmer precautions

Be aware that dimmer switches can only handle a specific amount of light load. You can typically purchase dimmers that are rated for 600 or up to 1,000 watts of lighting. Light bulbs are usually clearly marked as to their wattage. Determine the total wattage of the bulbs that are being controlled by any one dimmer.