Have you ever considered the internal safety protection that needs to be incorporated in some of the products you use every day? Joshua Hammerton, Co-Founder at Enkin, discusses its importance in modern dimming technology.
There’s no denying technological advancements are revolutionising our lives. From smart homes to electric vehicles, the world is becoming more accessible and convenient.
While the rest of the lighting industry has moved with the flow, there’s one aspect of modern living that’s been somewhat left behind, and that’s dimming technology. Issues such as overheating, short circuit malfunctions, and incompatibility are problems that have plagued electricians and end users alike for many years.
A major concern of mine during the years I spent on the tools was the safety of the dimmer modules I was installing. There rarely seemed to be any sort of safety protocols in place to detect or prevent overheating, and we knew we had to do something about that. And do something we did… With rigorous product development and testing, we’ve incorporated leading technology into our dimming products to ensure that our dimmers perform reliably and safely.
Let’s look at some of the ways we’ve been able to make lighting control safer and smarter:
Self-resettable thermal fuses
We’ve incorporated innovative safety features such as self-resettable thermal fuses and oversized heat sinks to ensure exceptional thermal protection.
These features are particularly crucial for LED bulbs and dimmable lighting systems where heat management directly impacts performance, efficiency, and lifespan of the dimmer module itself.
The self-resettable thermal fuse prevents overheating by cutting off the power supply when the internal temperature rises excessively, safeguarding both the lighting system and the dimmer module. Once conditions normalise, the fuse resets automatically, ensuring uninterrupted functionality.
Meanwhile, the oversized heat sinks enhance heat dissipation, preventing thermal build-up that can degrade dimmer circuits over time.
Overcurrent protection
Overload protection software is an essential component in Enkin dimmer modules, and its primary function is to safeguard both the dimmer modules and the lighting system itself by preventing damage caused by excessive current flow.
When an electrical circuit experiences an overload, often due to high demand from connected devices or a fault in the system, our integrated software swiftly detects the anomaly and interrupts the flow of current to protect the equipment.
Lighting systems, including smart systems, are designed to operate within specific voltage and current ranges. If the circuit is overloaded, it could cause the load to fail prematurely.
Overload protection software is critical for both safety and reliability, ensuring that fire hazards or electrical faults are avoided by cutting off the power, when necessary, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the entire lighting system.
Dimmers control the brightness of lights by adjusting the voltage supplied to the bulbs. However, when paired with incompatible bulbs or subjected to excessive loads, dimmers can cause current surges, potentially damaging the system. Overload protection software adds an extra layer of security by detecting such conditions early and preventing potential hazards.
While our thermal fuses work to protect the home, our overload protection software’s primary function is to protect the lighting system itself, as well as preserving the dimmer in case of a fault. We created our dimmers to keep working after all faults have been cleared without having to replace any components.
Short circuit protection
Enkin dimmer modules come equipped with advanced built-in short circuit protection software.
This innovative technology automatically shuts down the system when a fault such as a short circuit in the system is detected. Once it has determined that the fault has been cleared, the module will automatically restart, safeguarding not only the dimmer module but the entire lighting system.
This cutting-edge protection is critical for LED lighting which can be sensitive to voltage fluctuations and electrical anomalies.
Whether you’re using dimmable LED bulbs or dimmable lighting fixtures, this feature aids in extending the lifespan of the lighting system and reduces the risk of electrical damage. In conjunction with our self-resettable thermal fuses and the overcurrent protection, this technology enhances the overall safety of your lighting setup.
Built-in short circuit protection ensures optimal performance while minimising the risk of costly repairs and replacement. To this end, selecting Enkin dimmer modules means choosing safety and reliability without compromising on performance.
Get more details on Enkin’s range of dimming solutions here
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