GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS

Air-Gap Switch - A mechanical switch or relay that disconnects power to a load by physically separating two contacts, resulting in an air gap between the contacts.

Back-Cover - Enclosure on back of control which houses the electrical and mechanical components.

Ballast - An electrical device used in fluorescent and HID fixtures. It furnishes the necessary starting and operating characteristics to the lamp for proper performance.

Branch Circuit - The circuit conductors between the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit and the outlet(s). See NEC Article 100.

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) - An organization that provides testing and certification services for manufacturers that wish to use the CSA mark on products that conform to the appropriate CSA standard.

Channel - See definition of zone.

Class 2 circuit - An isolated secondary circuit involving not more than 42.2V (peak) with specific current level limitations.

Derating - Reducing the capacity of a control when side sections are removed.

Electronic low-voltage - Electronic low-voltage lighting uses an electronic (solid-state technology) transformer to convert normal line voltage (120 VAC) to low voltage (typically 12 VAC).This lower voltage is then used power an incandescent low-voltage lamp. Only use a dimmer specifically designed for an electronic low-voltage transformer.

Fade override - The ability to temporarily set fade times to zero for all lighting scenes.

Fade rate - The time it takes each zone/channel to arrive at the next scene dependent on the degree of change in light level.

Fade time - The time it takes all zone/channels to fade from one lighting scene to another with all zones/channels arriving at the next scene at the same time.

Filter - An electrical circuit which is part of every Lutron dimmer that is intended to reduce radio frequency interference and lamp buzz.

Fin - See definition of side section.

4-way - 4-way dimming control allows dimming from one location only (using a 3-way dimmer) and on/off switching from two or more additional locations (using a combination of 3-way and 4-way switches).

Front Accessible Service Switch (FASS) - An air-gap switch that can be conveniently activated without removing the wallplate of a control. When switch is turned off, power is completely removed from the device's load circuit by an air-gap switch.

Full-range Dimming - Continuous dimming, full intensity to minimum, with no visibly discernable increments in light level.

Gang Single-gang = one control mounted in a single wallbox.
Multigang = two or more controls mounted side-by-side in a series of connected wallboxes.

GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt) - A type of device, e.g. circuit breaker or receptacle, which detects an abnormal current flow to ground and opens the circuit preventing a hazardous situation.

ISO 9001 - A series of quality standards established by the International Organization of Standardization, that outline the requirements for quality management systems.

Low Noise Lamp - A specially constructed lamp designed to produce less audible noise in dimming applications.

Magnetic Low-Voltage - Magnetic low-voltage lighting uses a magnetic (core and coil technology) transformer to convert normal line voltage (120 VAC) to low voltage (typically 12 VAC). This lower voltage is then used to power an incandescent low-voltage lamp. Only use a dimmer specifically designed for a magnetic low-voltage transformer.

Multi-location dimming - Allows full-range dimming from two to ten locations.

Power failure memory - Circuitry that ensures that if lights are off when power fails, they will remain off when power is restored. If lights are on when power fails they will return to the previously set level when power is restored.

Preset Dimmer - Preset dimmers have a built-in on/off switch that allows the user to turn lights on to a pre-selected light level.

Radio frequency interference (RFI) - An audible buzz or noise in some sensitive audio and radio equipment caused by the dimmer's rapid current switching in conjunction with sharp current rise.

Raise/lower Controls - An actuator (slider, rocker, toggle, paddle, etc.) which when engaged increases or decreases the intensity of light controlled, then returns to its normal place of rest after disengaging.

Rough service lamp - A lamp with extra filament support which can help reduce lamp buzz.

Scene - The lighting effect created by adjusting several zones/channels of lighting to the desired intensity.

Sequencing - The mode during which preset lighting scenes change in a designated order using fade times that have been programmed.

Side section (fin) - A scored section along each side of the mounting plate designed to be removed to facilitate ganging.

Single pole - A single pole dimmer provides full-rangedimming from one location only.

Slide-to-off dimmer - Slide-to-off models have an on/off switch activated at the bottom of the linear slide travel.

Square Law Dimming - Dimming with direct correlation between the position of the slider and the light perceived by the eyeis known as Square Law Dimming. With Square Law Dimming, gradual movement of the linear slide results in a proportional change in the perceived lighting level allowing for easy, precise adjustment of the light setting.

3-way - 3-way dimming control allows dimming or switching from one location (using a 3-way dimmer) and on/off switching from a second location (using a 3-way switch).

Two-location dimming - Allows full-range dimming from two different locations.

UL Listed - A product adhering to standards of Underwriters Laboratories, an independent, non-profit testing laboratory organized for the purpose of investigating products and materials with respect to hazards affecting life and property.

Voltage compensation - Voltage compensation reduces changes in lighting level that occur when air conditioners, refrigerators, and other electrical appliances switch on/off.

Wallbox Dimmer - A self-contained dimmer that fits into a wallbox.

Zone - A fixture or group of fixtures controlled simultaneously as a single entity.