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

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.

VARILIGHT is Presented With The Queen's Award for Enterprise

HRH The Duke of Kent Presents Varilight With The Queen's Award for Enterprise

As another busy year comes towards an end we were honoured last week to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent  to our head office in Faygate where we were presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The Queen's Award, in the category of Continuous Innovation, was given in recognition of our success in bringing innovation to the electrical wiring accessories market and, in particular, for our technological development in designing dimmer switches for LED lighting.

Our V-Pro LED dimmer has become a flagship product and raised the profile of the VARILIGHT brand, bringing with it increased interest in our entire range of decorative switches , sockets and dimmers, including our new V-Com series dimmers for larger LED lighting loads. 

As the UK's leading manufacturer of dimmer switches, we at VARILIGHT were the first to react to the requirement for a dimmer switch to control LED lighting. We undertook a complete redesign of the traditional dimmer switch to create our V-Pro series, which is equipped with features to optimise the dimming performance of LED lighting. For example, an adjustable minimum brightness setting enables the user to define the best dimming range for any given LED lighting load, eliminating flicker and exploiting the full dimming capability of individual LED light bulbs.

With our new V-Com series we aim to build on this success by addressing the increasing need to control larger LED lighting loads with options up to 600W. 

We were a previous winner of the award in 2006 and are delighted to have been honoured for a second time this year. The presentation was an opportunity for many of our staff to take a break from what has been an extremely busy December and share in the celebrations.

As we reflect on a successful year, I would like to thank you for your support and to wish you a very happy Christmas from all of us at Varilight.

V-Com LED Dimmer Options Up To 400W Now Available

V-Com dimmers are now available with options up to 400W for LED lighting installations in commercial or large residential projects.

V-Com is primarily targeted at commercial installations, such as offices where large numbers of dimmable LED panels are installed, but V-Com is equally at home controlling larger loads in a domestic environment, for example in rooms with more than the V-Pro series maximum load of 10 downlights.

Customers with larger installations can now order V-Com dimmers rated up to 400W of dimmable LED lighting. Just like V-Pro, V-Com series dimmers benefit from a programmable minimum brightness setting to deliver the best possible brightness range for a given LED load. In addition, intelligent overload protection and soft start features help extend product life.

KDBP401S - 1 Gang 400W V-Com Dimmer in Brushed Brass

V-Com dimmers are push-on/off with rotary dimming and are offered across the vast range of Varilight decorative finishes as well as standard white faceplates. The product codes for V-Com dimmers begin with the letter K.

For example, in Varilight Matt Chrome the code KSP401 is for a 1 Gang 2 Way 400W Dimmer. Similarly, a 2-Gang 2 Way 2 x 180W Dimmer in Classic White has the code KQP182W.

Grid versions of V-Com rated for up to 180W of dimmable LEDs are available for the Varilight PowerGrid range (code GKP180W for white plastic and GKP180S for brushed steel, for example). Varilight also offer a "multi-grid" version in white (GKP180W.MG) which is supplied with fascias suitable for MK, GET and Crabtree grid systems.

For more information or to order V-Com dimmers please contact your Varilight supplier.

VARILIGHT Grid Dimmers for Multiple Grid Systems

VARILIGHT's superior dimming technology is now available as a multi-grid (.MG) dimmer option for MK, GET and Crabtree grid systems. Each grid dimmer is supplied with a selection of three grid fascias for compatibility with the various systems. A moulded spanner is also supplied for ease of fitting.

Of particular interest to installers will be the availability of the market-leading VARILIGHT V-Pro and V-Com LED dimmers as grid options for multiple grid systems. Choose VARILIGHT V-Pro (product code GJP100W.MG) for between 1 and 10 dimmable LEDs per dimmer (up to a maximum of 100W). For larger LED loads up to 180W, choose the V-Com multi-grid dimmer (product code GKP180W.MG).

In addition to V-Pro, multi-grid dimmers are also available from VARILIGHT's V-Dim series, which is suitable for incandescent lighting, including halogen and dimmable electronic transformers. Choose product code GP400W.MG for up to 400W. Other multi-grid options now available from VARILIGHT now include an F-series dimmer for multiple 1 to 10V high-frequency ballasts or LED drivers (GFP1M1W.MG) and an new on/off only module for non-dimmable loads (GH0W.MG).

Customers are reminded that a full range of grid dimmers, switches and fuse holders are available in the VARILIGHT PowerGrid grid system. PowerGrid is available with low profile white, steel or chrome grid faceplates (with mini fixing screws) which coordinate with VARILIGHT Screwless wiring accessories.

Varilight TV Channel Launched

Varilight has launched a new video channel, called Varilight TV, on the YouTube platform. A series of "How To" videos will be released to help customers get the most from Varilight's extensive range of dimmer switches, switches, sockets and transformers. The first video is already available on the channel and demonstrates how to program Varilight V-Pro dimmers to optimise the performance of LED lighting.

"There are many aspects of our products that are easier to demonstrate in a video format than either in print or over the telephone," explains Andrew Wilson, Commercial Manager at Varilight. "The new Varilight TV channel gives us the opportunity to connect with our customers in a new and exciting way."

"Our first video explains how to access the programming functions of the Varilight V-Pro dimmer to optimise the performance of a given LED lighting load. Customers are shown how to select the most suitable dimming mode and adjust the minimum brightness setting of the dimmer to deliver the best possible dimming range from their dimmable LED lights".

Varilight TV can be viewed on the Varilight website or on the dedicated channel on YouTube.

Varilight V-Pro: Dimming for a Brighter Future

Andrew Wilson, Marketing Manager at Varilight, explains in this month's Electrical Wholesaler magazine why the launch of the V-Pro dimmer series presents an opportunity for wholesalers by simplifying the process of selecting a dimmer for specifiers and installers.

V-Pro Eclique Touch/Remote Control Dimmers

Eclique is the stylish touch/remote-control addition to Varilight's V-Pro range of trailing-edge dimmers, featuring a blue LED-backlit metal touch button with tactile touch and infra-red remote control. Clever design allows the infra-red signal to be received via a clear ring that surrounds the touch button, which also provides for the attractive LED backlighting, adding to the elegance of the product. The gentle blue ring of light also serves to help to locate the touch button in the dark.

The V-Pro ^TM dimmer range features intelligent overload protection, short circuit protection and is programmable with a choice of dimming modes. This makes the dimmer extremely versatile enabling it to deliver the best possible dimming performance for a given load. V-Pro ^TM dimmers are suitable for controlling most dimmable LEDs, electronic low voltage transformers, mains halogen and traditional mains GLS lighting.

With the prospect of householders increasingly replacing traditional lamps with energy-efficient alternatives, and LEDs in particular, installations can effectively be made "LED-ready". Even if LEDs are not part of an existing lighting scheme, by choosing to install Varilight's V-Pro ^TM dimmers, an end-user can decide to switch to dimmable LEDs from an established brand at a future date without the need to upgrade their dimmers.

Full functionality can be achieved by choosing the Varilight^® remote control handset, including a master control function which will switch several dimmers on and off simultaneously, enabling the user to recall the previous light settings or "scene". In addition, Eclique ^TM dimmers are capable of learning to respond to a spare button on many existing infra-red remote control handsets.

Offered across Varilight's unrivalled range of decorative faceplate styles and finishes, an Eclique ^TM dimmer is available to suit every interior design scheme. Eclique ^TM dimming slaves are also available to be used alongside a master dimmer for two-way and multi-way control, enabling lights to be switched and dimmed from multiple locations.