Triac AC Dimmer Troubleshooting

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi everybody,

I'm attempting to connect an Arduino UNO to a high-current triac leading edge ac dimmer (found here: PWM 16A AC Dimmer Triac LEADING Edge ENCLOSURE UPSHIELD 110V 240V 50Hz 60Hz | eBay) in order to automate the dimming of an inductive neon light. The light is currently connected to a physical dimmer switch which works absolutely fine, so I'm certain this can be done, at least in theory.

I'm currently testing the component on a lamp with a 15W dimmable incandescent light bulb, but the lamp won't light. I'm wondering if I've wired anything up incorrectly or if perhaps there's a minimum load that isn't mentioned on their website? I'll have access to the neon lights in roughly a week and it's possible they'll work fine, but want to be as safe as possible.

If anyone has any experience or advice for doing this type of thing it would be greatly appreciated!

Inlet live -> module L input
Inlet neutral -> module N input
Outlet live -> module L output
Outlet neutral -> module N output
Inlet ground -> outlet ground

Arduino 5V -> module +5V pin (also tested with Arduino Vin)
Arduino GND -> module GND pin
Arduino digital pin 5 -> module PWM pin

Arduino code - simple sine wave modulating the duty cycle of a pwm signal:

#define pin_PWM 5

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(pin_PWM, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  float val = sin(millis()/10000.0) * 255.0;
  int mapped = map(val, -255, 255, 0, 255);
  Serial.println(mapped);
  analogWrite(pin_PWM, mapped);
  delay(10);
}

Thanks!

2

Please post schematics.

1 Like
3

Check it out, not all dimmers use a triac as the power device. Without schematics showing exactly how YOU have wired it as requested by @Railroader I cannot be of further help.

What is the frequency of this signal and how do you get PWM from it?

1 Like
4

This is a good point. Can you provide more information about the dimmer which actually works with the light.

5

Dimming a neon light. They start, they're on - I don't see this as "negotiable".

6

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