A load correction device or CAPACITOR ( also the part number if you need to order more from SAL ) is included in every PIXIE smart switch and dimmer.
These are used for 2 different scenarios depending on whether you are using a dimmer or a switch.
Load Correction for Dimmers #
A load correction device is most often used for dimming loads when flickering occurs when dimming low.
When attempting to dim a single downlight or a very small LED load (less than 10w as a rule of thumb) it may be beneficial to install a capacitor across the LOAD and NEUTRAL connections.
Remember PIXIE smart dimmers and switches do not need a Neutral at the switch so depending on the wiring on site, this may be at the light point in the ceiling.
This can have the effect of smoothing out dimming performance and / or allowing a deeper dimming performance – or eliminating the flickering altogether.
There is no way to know if this will be needed (or if it will actually produce the desired result – although it most often does) but trying to dim a 3W or 4W load on a dimmer ( like the PIXIE SDD300BTAM) which has a minimum load requirement of 2W, will probably produce a sub-optimal result. In this example it may be better to simply switch that lighting load instead of dimming it!
Note installing a load correction device WILL NOT have any impact of flickering LED lights due to the off-peak hot water tone experienced in NSW and QLD.
You can read more about how to solve that issue here:
Load Correction for a Switch #
Using the load correction device for a PIXIE switch has a few more varied applications.
This is because the PIXIE switches have a minimum load requirement of about 13W for the little relay inside to be able to operate reliably.
If you want to avoid this minimum load, use of the PIXIE Dual Relay Controller ( PC206DR/R/BTAM) may be a better option as it has NO MINIMUM LOAD requirements and be controlled from the App, by connecting standard bell-press mechs from any vendor and by a PIXIE Multifunction controller too.
More about that here:
For Lighting Loads #
This is recommend for small lighting loads that are being switched.
We most commonly see this being installed for bed-side lamps which have a very small lamp less than 13w which is being switched on and off
For Contactor Loads #
Using a PIXIE switch to drive a contactor is a great way to operate a larger load.
However as the input side of the Contactor presents almost no load to the PIXIE switch 1 or more capacitors or load correction device will need to be installed across LOAD and NEUTRAL for the contactor to operate and stay latched.
For Iron Core Transformer Loads – Garden Lights #
Using a load correction device with a PIXIE switch to operate garden lighting is normally necessary.
However we would recommend reading this article first if that is what you are planning on doing:
