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I was looking for a way to dim a regular light bulb in a circuit. With the help of this site, I learned that using (variable) resistors would dim the light, but eat up electricity in the form of heat.

What I needed was a triac dimmer. I have been looking for a triac dimmer component, but failed to find anything that would fit my needs. What I'm looking for is something that is small and where a knob can be attached, much like a potentiometer.

Does this kind of component exist and how is it called? Maybe this kind of component is too big, and does not exist as a "kind of potentiometer".

Beginner questions from an absolute beginner. All help is much appreciated!

More info:

  • this question is about AC power
  • I want to make a lamp on a small block of wood with a knob to dim the light
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    \$\begingroup\$ A big amount of households seem to have such an item installed in their walls or on some lamps... \$\endgroup\$
    – PlasmaHH
    Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 12:22
  • \$\begingroup\$ AC or DC power? \$\endgroup\$
    – HandyHowie
    Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 12:36
  • \$\begingroup\$ AC, I'll update my answser \$\endgroup\$
    – TomCB
    Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 12:37
  • \$\begingroup\$ if u want to buy means the most product will be like wall mount, like fan speed controller,if u want to embedded into your circuit means need to design ZERO CROSSING DETECTION with triac \$\endgroup\$
    – masternone
    Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 12:46
  • \$\begingroup\$ A normal house light dimmer sounds just what you need. Some of them do have a minimum wattage, though. What wattage lamp is it? \$\endgroup\$
    – HandyHowie
    Commented Sep 24, 2015 at 13:15

1 Answer 1

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This is as small as a dimmer can get. I think this fill all of your requirements and is rated for 300W. http://www.grandbrass.com/SearchShowItem.cfm?ItemNumber=DIB300

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