> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jinx [SMTP:joecolquitt@CLEAR.NET.NZ]
> Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 9:37 AM
> To:   PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject:      Re: [EE] Phase control dimming on a cheap pic
>
> Is there a simple non-PIC solution to reduce this stress or reduce the
> 230V down by 10% (which would significantly increases bulb life) for
> a 60W bulb. A series resistor sounds like it should work, but are there
> any real safety concerns with a few watts of heat and/or regulations
> that prohibit this
>
You could just use a series cap for (relatively) lossless current limiting.
Hmm..a quick bash on my calculator says you'll need something in the region
of a 33 uF cap.  That's gonna be pretty large (and pricey) for a 230v mains
rated device.  Maybe not.

Mike

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