What’s the Best Dimmer or Switch Pack for Me?
Dimmerpacks and switchpacks can prove extremely useful when you’re working with stage or studio lighting and light effects. In this Buyer’s Guide, we’ll explain what they are, whether you need them, and help you pick the best dimmer or switch pack for you. If your question isn’t included, feel free to contact us!
1. What’s a Dimmer Pack and What’s It Used For?
Simply put, dimmer packs are only designed for one thing: accurate light intensity adjustments. Since most modern light fixtures come with a built-in dimmer function, you usually don’t need a dimmer pack to control them. However, if your set-up includes traditional halogen lighting that can only be simply turned on or off, dimmer packs are certainly worth it.
Say you’ve got several halogen par cans you’d like to dim one by one. To do so, you have to hook each fixture up to the power outputs of a dimmer pack, which in turn can be connected to a DMX controller for easy control. Provided you don’t exceed the maximum output capacity per channel, you could also plug multiple par cans into a single power output. Needless to say, such a set-up does dim all fixtures at the same time, and you’ll need to power-link (daisy-chain) your lights or use a power strip to get it working.
Dimmer Packs
Par Cans (Halogen)
Theatre Spotlights (Halogen)
Power Strips & Distributors
DMX Light Controller Buyer's Guide
2. What’s a Switch Pack and What’s It Used For?
Switch packs are used to turn one or more devices on or off at will. They’re typically used with stand-alone light effects, mirror-ball motors and special effects, and come in handy whenever you need to control any devices that are either set up far away or not equipped with an on/off switch. Unlike dimmer packs, switch packs can be used with more complex gear, but that doesn’t mean they’re designed for quickly and constantly switching devices on and off. Also, if your gear features built-in DMX functions, you won’t find much use for a switch pack. In this case, a DMX controller is all you need.
Switch packs work by connecting one or more devices to any fitted number of power outputs. Once connected, each device can be individually switched on or off. Most switch packs can be connected to a DMX controller for eased control and, as long as the maximum power capacity per outlet isn’t exceeded, you can plug as many devices in each output as you’d like, givings you the option to power groups of equipment on or off at will. You can use a power strip or, if possible, daisy-chain your devices so that each device passes the power supply on to the next.
3. What Type of Dimmer Pack Do I Need?
For smaller events, a 4-channel dimmer pack will do and is generally set up right next to the lighting it’s meant to dim. Next, there are the 6-to-12-channel dimmer racks, which are used at larger events such as theatre and stage performances. Usually set up off-stage, dimmer racks are often combined with fresnels or computers and hooked up using multicables. Dimmer racks are mainly used by experienced professionals.
Lastly, there’s the T4 dimmer bar. A popular choice among rental companies and production studios, T4 bars come equipped with four integrated dimmers. They’re mounted on a stand, fitted with spotlights and can usually be optionally controlled via DMX. In the past and up until LED versions were introduced, T4 bars were often used by mobile DJs and drive-in shows. The biggest advantage of T4 dimmer bars is that they’re essentially a portable, all-in-one solution.
4. Do Dimmer/Switch Packs Feature Overload Protection?
All dimmer/switch pack channels (power outputs) are individually protected so that if one of the connected fixtures short-circuits, the others aren’t affected. In addition, most dimmer/switch packs have a main circuit breaker for when things are really about to take a turn for the worst. To prevent blown fuses at every show, always make sure your lighting set-up doesn’t draw more power than your dimmer or switch pack is able to handle.
5. Are There Any Hybrid Switch-Dimmer Packs?
Switch-dimmer pack combinations certainly exist. When shopping for one, it’s important to know exactly which gear you’re going to hook up. If your plan involves switching multiple fixtures on or off at the same time and you haven’t got enough packs or you’re still using a simple DMX controller, you could alternatively use any regular power strip and still have the option to switch between the various outputs.
Links & More Information
Product Categories
Dimmerpacks
Switchpacks
Power Strips & Distributors
Lighting Stands
Par Cans (Halogen)
Theatre Spot Lights (Halogen)
Buyer’s Guides
DMX Light Controller Buyer's Guide
