Open circuit would not be a problem, do you have to change the unit
every time a lamp blows?
No just change the bulb and the bulb lights, they don't shutdown for
open circuit.
They do shutdown/foldback for shorts
They also softstart but only at max load


Why use one? Because there cheep, efficient, light, small, plastic cased

and almost a drop in replacement for your transformer and I thought you
wanted to avoid metal


> -----Original Message-----
> From: piclist-bounces@mit.edu 
> [mailto:piclist-bounces@mit.edu] On Behalf Of Bob S.
> Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 7:23 PM
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public.
> Subject: Re: [EE] Single Phase AC control via PWM (maybe a challenge?)
> 
> 
> Hmmm, I forgot to mention one thing in the specs...  The user may (at 
> any time) unplug the end load, usually without turning off the power 
> supply.  I see that the smallest one there has a minium load 
> of 20VA.  
> Don't know if that would hurt it, or it would just shut down with no 
> load (and if user would have to turn the PS off and on again).
> 
> Also, Because that dimmable halogen light transformer 
> obviously doesn't 
> compensate for line voltage fluctuations (because it is 
> dimmable), 

That's a fair description of any transformer you are going to use for
this project, no?

The dimmer would be replaced with just a triac controlled by, obviously
a PIC
Giving you what ever parameters you like, with the software far easier
implement


> The Dimmer would have to do that. 


I was giving you a starting point


- At which point, why would I even want 
> this thing?  Am I missing the point here?  If so, what is the 
> point of 
> using a device like this?

  PC

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist