Rosco UK : Dimming : IPS Dimmers

IPS Dimmers

IPS Distributed Dimming Summary of Benefits

Benefits unique to IGBT dimmer technology:

No mechanical noise
No magnetics or vibration
High dimmer efficiency (< 2.5 volts drop)
Precise regulation of voltage and current
Improved lamp life
Support for IPS Talkback
Support for IPS Remote Commands

Benefits unique to IPS Distributed Dimming:

Reduced set-up time and labor
No dimmer equipment rooms
Reduced HVAC loading
Reduced electrical installation costs
Elimination of failure "choke points"

Intelligent Power System dimmers are chokeless, lightweight, compact and silent. As a result, they may be mounted on stage, in the auditorium, or in the studio. This eliminates the need for acoustically isolated and air-conditioned dimmer rooms. A Rosco dealer or electrical contractor can easily and economically install IPS dimmer.

IPS is distributed dimming based on IGBT (Insulated Gate BiPolar Transistor) technology.

The acronym IPS means Intelligent Power System^®. "Intelligent" because a microprocessor is at the heart of each IPS dimmer. Microprocessor "intelligence" enables an IPS dimming system to:

Sense and automatically respond to changes in incoming power, load size, load type, load condition and temperature.
Sense and diagnose problems, then report findings to the system operator.
Run quieter and more efficiently than any competing dimmer technology.

Most competing dimming equipment based on SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) technology. The major flaw of SCR dimming is noise, which manifests itself as:

Buzzing of lamp filaments.
RFI/EMI (interference with sound and video gear).
Mechanical noise (dimmer buzzing & fan noise).
Harmonic noise (buzzing of conduit and panels).

SCR dimmers must be filtered by external chokes (inductors), to control the noise they generate. To the extent possible, SCR dimmers must also be isolated... far away from people, microphones and video gear.

Silent IGBT dimmer technology, on which IPS is based, provides a new and better solution.

If you have a technical question about IPS, please email IPS@rosco.com