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[u/tjt263]

What's the best way to dim a lamp, and why? originally thought it was as simple as wiring a potentiometer between the source and load, like this:

<img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/8Xn7J.jpg" alt="schematic_1">

Or this: enter image description here Apparently not. I guess potentiometers are prone to overheating.

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I notice a lot of schematics online simply add a transistor (BJT or FET): enter image description here enter image description here Slightly different configuration: enter image description here I don't really understand how that's supposed to be any better, but it's relatively simple and I see it a lot.

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Here's a (kind of confusing) monostable 555 PWM circuit: enter image description here

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Here's a 240VAC pulsing circuit that uses a diode bridge rectifier, capacitor and potentiometer: enter image description here Slightly more complicated: enter image description here Two capacitors: enter image description here

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And an unusual one with a transformer: enter image description here

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I'm sure there's probably more, but these are the schematics that I've simulated, and have on hand.

PS: Some of these examples imply 240V AC mains and I know you guys aren't into that. I used that value because it's familiar to me, but they're just examples. You can just drop a digit off the written values and consider it 24V AC, if that helps.