VARILIGHT V-Pro Dimmer Tops Independent Test

Results of an independent test published in the August edition of Lux Review demonstrate the versatility of the Varilight V-Pro Dimmer.

"It worked straight out the box and gave smooth operation with all lamps." Lux Review, August 2016

Read the full article here (The article refers to the dimmer using our company name, "Doyle and Tratt V-Pro")

Up against several other LED dimmers and tested across a wide selection of dimmable LED lamps, the V-Pro dimmer came out on top. High grades were awarded to the V-Pro dimmer for its performance with each of the lamps tested and particular mention was made of the V-Pro dimmer's ability to dim to very low brightness levels.

This is the latest in a series of accolades for V-Pro dimmers which are now available in two ratings, one for up to 10 LED lamps (max. 120W) and a higher-rated dimmer for up to 30 LED lamps (max. 300W), across the entire Varilight range of decorative finishes. Grid versions are also available for Varilight PowerGrid and as a Multi-Grid version for MK, Crabtree and Schneider grid systems. Replacement modules for standard dimmer faceplates are also available.

It is also possible to purchase remote control V-Pro dimmers which have the added advantage of multi-point dimming, including a grid version of the Eclique2 series for the Varilight PowerGrid
range.

www.varilight.co.uk/led

V-Pro High Power LED Dimmers

Step up to the Next Level with Varilight V-Pro High Power LED Dimmers

Our market leading V-Pro LED dimmers are now better than ever with high power versions available across the range, which are designed for use with dimmable LEDs and each dimmer can dim up to 30 LEDs (maximum of 300W).

These new dimmers build on the success of our existing V-Pro series dimmers, which are now able to control up to 120W of LED lighting (Max. 10 lamps).

VARILIGHT High Power V-Pro Dimmers are available in the following formats in all our Decorative Finishes:

• 1-Gang Dimmers on a single faceplate

• 2- and 3-Gang Dimmers on twin faceplates (3-Gang Dimmers can also dim up to 30 LEDs but with a maximum load of 250W)

• PowerGrid Modules

We are also able to create Bespoke items to your specification. Click here for more information.

Our V-Pro series comprises programmable intelligent dimmers with a choice of dimming modes for the widest compatibility with LED lighting. All V-Pro dimmers offer superior dimming technology to deliver the best possible dimming performance for a given load. To enhance compatibility with the ever-increasing range of lighting options now available to customers, V-Pro dimmers are programmable to offer a choice of 3 dimming modes. In addition, users can set the minimum load level for the dimmer to optimise the dimming range of a particular lighting load. You can view the programming instructions on the product leaflet. These are available on our website. We are also able to create Bespoke items to your specification. Click here for more information. 

V-Pro high power LED dimmers offer a professional dimming performance with premium features such as silent operation and voltage stabilisation for superior control of LED lighting loads. V-Pro dimmers are extremely versatile and are suitable for dimmable LED lighting requiring either “trailing-edge” or “leading-edge” control. 

V-Pro Dimmers are widely recommended by manufacturers of LED lighting and are supplied with a 10 year guarantee.

For more information on the full range of Varilight LED dimmer switches please visit our website www.varilight.co.uk/leds

Data sheets for our entire range are available on the website. Simply type the product code into the search box or use the Product Configurator to find a product without knowing the code.

View a sample datasheet for a 1-Gang High Power V-Pro Dimmer in Classic White Plastic here: http://www.varilight.co.uk/configurator/product.php?code=JQP601W

Intermediate Push On/Off Switch

MPINT - New Intermediate 

Push On/Off Switch 

Due to overwhelming demand, we are proud to introduce our New Intermediate Push On/Off Switch. This is ideal for those tricky installations where you need to retain the aesthetics of a dimmer switch in an intermediate switch situation.

 

What is an intermediate switch:

For those less technically minded amongst us, I’ll try and explain. A one way switch is used when you have one switch for a single light or set of lights. A two way switch is used when there are 2 switches controlling the same light or set of lights. If you are using 2-way push on/off dimmer switches you can replace either one of the switches with the dimmer. The other will remain as a standard switch or it can be substituted with replacement switch module which looks like a dimmer. Click here for more information. If you wish to dim your lights from both switches you can use a master/slave dimmer combination. Click here for more information.

 

Now we come to the intermediate switch; this is used when you have 3 switches controlling one light or set of lights. The most typical example of this might be in a hallway, when perhaps there is a switch at the front door, a switch at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top of the stairs, all controlling the same hall light. On this circuit the middle switch (usually the one at the bottom of the stairs) will be an intermediate switch. This can be extended to four or more switches. In the above example, there could be another switch at the end of the landing, in which case the 2 middle switches will both be intermediate. The intermediate switches have, until now, had to be standard rocker or toggle switches. With this latest product launch, you now have the flexibility to install an intermediate switch which looks like a dimmer, especially useful if the replacement switch is two or more gangs and also contains dimmers. As before, only one of these switches can be dimmers but by using Varilight’s ranges of touch and remote control dimmers you can dim from all switch locations.

 

One final note on intermediate switches, and a question we are often asked: “If I have bought an intermediate switch by mistake it can be used as 1-way or a 2-way switch?”. The answer is yes, it can easily be wired as such.

 

What is available:

 

Varilight’s intermediate dimmer modules are available in the following formats:

 

Replacement module

PowerGrid module (click here for more information on other PowerGrid finishes)

Multi-Grid Module for MK, Crabtree and Schneider/GET grids.

 

You can also use the VARILIGHT Bespoke service to mix and match to your own specific requirements.

For more information on any of dimmer switches please visit our website, www.varilight.co.uk.

Dimmers For Larger LED Loads

V-Com Series Dimmers - For Larger LED Loads  With cost savings and energy efficiency driving architects to specify LED lighting solutions in both commercial and larger residential installations, the demand for dimmers capable of delivering a stable dimming performance for larger LED loads is increasing.  Our V-Com series dimmers have been developed for applications where there is a need to control large LED lighting loads, with options up to 180W (max. 20 LEDs), 220W (max. 26 LEDs), 400W (max. 40 LEDs) and 600W (max. 60 LEDs). V-Com series dimmers are available in all our decorative finishes

The V-Com dimmer series utilises new patented technology, developed by Varilight's technical team, to enable larger dimmable LED loads to be controlled across an impressive minimum to maximum brightness range without flicker. Users can set the minimum load level for the dimmer to optimise the dimming range of a particular lighting load while a choice of 3 dimming modes widens compatibility of more challenging loads. For more information on the full range of Varilight LED dimmer switches please visit our website www.varilight.co.uk/leds Please Vote for Varilight in the Electrical Wholesaler Awards 2016 (Best New Product)

Advice on Dimming LEDs

8 DOs and DON’Ts For Dimming Retrofit LEDs  LED lighting has already captured the imagination of consumers who are now are able to buy energy-saving lamps that look like the incandescent lamps they are replacing. Consumers are also expecting the dimming performance to be replicated and this is where a lack of information can lead to disappointing results. By making consumers aware of a few basic rules, their experience of dimmable LED lighting can be transformed. Here are our top tips for the getting the best out of retrofit dimmable LED lighting. 1. DO Choose “Dimmable” LEDs Our number one rule for successfully dimming LED lighting might sound obvious but it is a common misconception that any LED lights can be dimmed with an LED dimmer. In reality the driver circuitry must be designed with dimming in mind so it is essential to choose lamps that the manufacturer describes as “dimmable”. The lack of an industry standard for dimmable LED drivers has, though, led to a myriad of different approaches by lamp manufacturers, some more successful than others. TOP TIP: Choose “dimmable” lamps but be aware that this in itself is not a guarantee of a good dimming performance. However, it is a good starting point. 2. DO Stick to Recognised Brands There is a wide degree of variation in the dimming performance, under test, of LED lamps described as “dimmable”, with the achievable brightness range and stability of output being the most likely features to disappoint with unbranded lamps. Some manufacturers are happy to label their lamps as “dimmable” even if they can deliver only the slightest change in brightness. We recommend that customers choose lamps from established lighting manufacturers. Aside from dimming considerations, established brands are also more likely to offer better product warranties, longer lamp lifetimes and more customer support. TOP TIP: Stick to brand names that you can have confidence in and don’t be tempted to make false economies. 3. DO Read the Label To deliver a true retrofit comparison with incandescent lighting it is important to consider the brightness range. Significant advances have been made in recent years in LED lighting technology, leading to far higher lumens per watt being achieved, even for halogen-mimicking, warm-white lamps where lamp output is often compromised for the more familiar incandescent hue. There is little point in connecting a dimmer to an LED light if it is quite dim enough already and so this progress in the brightness of retrofit LED lamps has made dimming much more relevant. Brighter lamps can provide customers with a greater dimming range. TOP TIP: Read the label and select the dimmable lamps with the highest maximum lumen output. 4. DO Ask Manufacturers About Compatibility Most established lighting brands publish compatibility data on their websites. Dimmer switches from various brands are tested with various loads and the lamp performance graded. These grades are a useful reference point and can help in choosing a dimmer. It can be confusing though, when navigating the websites of international brands, to find dimmers listed that are not available in the UK. If in doubt contact the company to ask about their recommendations. TOP TIP: Manufacturers want customers to experience the full potential of their lamps and will often be happy to recommend the best dimmer switch to use. 5. DON’T Use a Standard Dimmer  Some lamps manufacturers may boast that their dimmable LED lighting can be controlled using a standard dimmer, but where this claim is borne out, it is likely to only be when some very narrow criteria are met. Standard dimmers will be under-loaded in most LED applications, exacerbating flickering and strobing effects, which in turn, can drastically shorten lamp lifetimes. Nor are standard dimmers equipped to exploit the full brightness range, resulting in a disappointing user experience. TOP TIP: Take claims of compatibility with standard dimmers with a pinch of salt.  6. DO Choose a Dimmer Designed for LED Lighting Sophisticated dimmers are available to deliver the best possible performance from dimmable LED lighting. Some, such as our V-Pro LED dimmer, have several dimming modes on board to enable smooth dimming across the diverse driver technologies in the market. The brightness output a lamp produces from the same power input varies markedly between brands. For this reason, Varilight LED dimmers have an adjustable minimum brightness setting to enable the user to access the full brightness range of a given lamp. An adjustable minimum brightness also ensures that any instability a lamp might exhibit at its lowest level of illumination can be avoided. TOP TIP: Dedicated LED dimmers are equipped to exploit an LED lamp’s full dimming potential, better replicating the dimming behaviour of an incandescent lamp. 7. DON’T Buy Your Lights Without First Selecting A Dimmer Like all dimmer switches, those designed for LED lighting have minimum and maximum load recommendations. Design your lighting installation to ensure you don’t exceed the maximum load of the dimmers available. Splitting the load across more than one dimmer could provide a solution and give greater control by allowing light levels to be zoned within a multi-functional space. Until recently it was difficult to find a dimmer capable of controlling more than 100W of LED lighting but the launch of our V-Com series has opened up the possibility of dimming much larger LED loads, up to 600W. TOP TIP: It’s important to select a dimmer capable of controlling the total wattage and quantity of the lamps you want to dim. 8. DO Read the Instruction Leaflet LED dimmers often come with features designed to enhance their performance but you may need to program the dimmer to access them. Don’t be tempted just to “plug and play” because you may be missing out of features that will give greater expression to your lighting. For example, enhanced scene-setting features within our V-Pro remote control dimmers can be unlocked by using the dedicated “LightScene” handset. For a visual walk through the programming procedure for V-Pro dimmers, visit www.varilight.co.uk/tv. TOP TIP: Read the instruction leaflet or risk missing out on features and benefits.  For more information on any of dimmer switches please visit our website, www.varilight.co.uk.