Non-dim Circuit

A non-dim circuit is a special

electrical network An electrical network is an interconnection of electrical components (e.g., batteries, resistors, inductors, capacitors, switches, transistors) or a model of such an interconnection, consisting of electrical elements (e.g., voltage sources, c ...

. In theater, it is a type of outlet usually controlled from the

stage manager Stage management is a broad field that is generally defined as the practice of organization and coordination of an event or theatrical production. Stage management may encompass a variety of activities including the overseeing of the rehearsal p ...

's panel or from the

Lighting control console A lighting control console (also called a lightboard, lighting board, or lighting desk) is an electronic device used in theatrical lighting design to control multiple stage lights at once. They are used throughout the entertainment industry and a ...

. The word non-dim is used to distinguish this type of circuit which operates only in on or off modes, from a

dimmer A dimmer is a device connected to a light fixture and used to lower the brightness of the lighting, light. By changing the voltage waveform applied to the lamp, it is possible to lower the luminous intensity, intensity of the light output. Alt ...

, which can be at any intensity on a continuum. It is generally a remotely operated

relay A relay Electromechanical relay schematic showing a control coil, four pairs of normally open and one pair of normally closed contacts An automotive-style miniature relay with the dust cover taken off A relay is an electrically operated switch ...

. Many modern computerized lighting systems allow a dimmer to be set as "non-dim" and controlled using the

, however, this can be less desirable than using a "true" switched circuit, as the

Triac A TRIAC (triode for alternating current; also bidirectional triode thyristor or bilateral triode thyristor) is a three terminal electronic component that conducts current in either direction when triggered. The term TRIAC is a genericised tradem ...

in the dimmer never truly supplies a "proper" sine wave, which can cause damage to equipment. Non-Dims are often used to allow switched equipment such as motors, hazers or other similar electrical equipment to be triggered as part of a lighting cue. Sometimes house work lights or stage work lights can be controlled using a non-dimmed circuit. It is also sometimes used to provide power to intelligent lights, however this may not be considered desirable as any mistakes made at the

could interrupt the power supply to the fixture which often are not capable of hot restrike (turning on the lamp again while power is still connected) due to their use of a

Metal halide lamp A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...

or similar lamp. The term "non-dim" has come to refer to any circuit, outlet, relay or otherwise that 1) cannot be controlled by a

or 2) is a circuit controlled by the Lighting control console but has been set up not to dim. Stage lighting {{Stagecraft-stub