Dimmers can control Incandescent, magnetic and electronic low voltage, fluorescent, neon, and halogen. You need to have the right kind of dimmer though, and possibly an interface or a special ballast. In a typical residential application, you would only use dimmers for incandescent or low voltage lighting.
Nearly all light sources. Exceptions would be Metal Halide and some of the High-Pressure Sodium fixtures. Here's a list (although not exclusive):
Incandescent Magnetic Low-Voltage Electronic Low-Voltage Neon / Cold-Cathode Fluorescent Dimmable Ballasts 120 / 277 LED (Yes, some LED can be dimmed - See Lutron Electronics Application Note #138)
The key for dimming is in the control. You need to know the amount of wattage you are dimming and what you have available for power. Almost all residential applications are 120V. Newer homes all have neutral wire runs along with power that makes dimming your lighting that much easier. You do need to pick a control based on the load type.
Certain dimmers can control standard incandescent lamps that use 120 volts while other dimmers can control low voltage xenon or halogen light sources that use 12 or 24 volts.
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Dimmers can control Incandescent, magnetic and electronic low voltage, fluorescent, neon, and halogen. You need to have the right kind of dimmer though, and possibly an interface or a special ballast. In a typical residential application, you would only use dimmers for incandescent or low voltage lighting.
Nearly all light sources. Exceptions would be Metal Halide and some of the High-Pressure Sodium fixtures. Here's a list (although not exclusive):
Incandescent
Magnetic Low-Voltage
Electronic Low-Voltage
Neon / Cold-Cathode
Fluorescent Dimmable Ballasts 120 / 277
LED (Yes, some LED can be dimmed - See Lutron Electronics Application Note #138)
The key for dimming is in the control. You need to know the amount of wattage you are dimming and what you have available for power. Almost all residential applications are 120V. Newer homes all have neutral wire runs along with power that makes dimming your lighting that much easier. You do need to pick a control based on the load type.
Certain dimmers can control standard incandescent lamps that use 120 volts while other dimmers can control low voltage xenon or halogen light sources that use 12 or 24 volts.