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Quick Start

This guide will help you get DimmerLink up and running in minutes.



What You'll Need

  1. DimmerLink — controller board
  2. Dimmer — TRIAC module with external control support
  3. Microcontroller or SBC — Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, etc.
  4. Jumper wires
  5. Lamp for testing (incandescent or dimmable LED)



Step 1: Choose an Interface

Feature UART I2C
Wiring TX/RX crossed SDA/SCL direct
Code complexity Command packets Register access
Recommendation For advanced users For beginners

💡 Tip: We recommend starting with I2C — simpler code, easier debugging.



Step 2: Wiring


DimmerLink Connectors

Input (to your project):

Pin Function
VCC Power 3.3V
GND Ground
TX/SDA UART TX or I2C SDA
RX/SCL UART RX or I2C SCL

Output (to dimmer module):

Pin Function
VCC Power
GND Ground
Z-C Zero-Cross signal
Dim TRIAC control


Connection Diagram

python
[Your Project] ←→ [DimmerLink] ←→ [Dimmer] ←→ [Mains + Lamp]

Detailed wiring diagrams for different boards: Hardware Connection

Detailed dimmer and load connection diagrams (lamps, heaters): Dimmers power and load connection



Step 3: Upload Code


Option A: I2C (Recommended)

Arduino:

cpp
#include 

#define DIMMER_ADDR 0x50
#define REG_LEVEL   0x10

void setup() {
    Wire.begin();
}

void loop() {
    // Smooth brightness change
    for (int level = 0; level <= 100; level += 10) {
        setLevel(level);
        delay(500);
    }
    for (int level = 100; level >= 0; level -= 10) {
        setLevel(level);
        delay(500);
    }
}

void setLevel(uint8_t level) {
    Wire.beginTransmission(DIMMER_ADDR);
    Wire.write(REG_LEVEL);
    Wire.write(level);
    Wire.endTransmission();
}

MicroPython (ESP32, Raspberry Pi Pico):

python
from machine import I2C, Pin
import time

# ESP32: scl=22, sda=21
# Raspberry Pi Pico: scl=5, sda=4
i2c = I2C(0, scl=Pin(22), sda=Pin(21), freq=100000)
DIMMER_ADDR = 0x50
REG_LEVEL = 0x10

def set_level(level):
    i2c.writeto_mem(DIMMER_ADDR, REG_LEVEL, bytes([level]))

# Smooth brightness change
while True:
    for level in range(0, 101, 10):
        set_level(level)
        time.sleep(0.5)

Python (Raspberry Pi):

python
from smbus2 import SMBus
import time

bus = SMBus(1)
DIMMER_ADDR = 0x50
REG_LEVEL = 0x10

def set_level(level):
    bus.write_byte_data(DIMMER_ADDR, REG_LEVEL, level)

# Set brightness to 50%
set_level(50)


Option B: UART

Arduino:

cpp
// Use Serial1 (or SoftwareSerial for Uno)
#define DIMMER_SERIAL Serial1

void setup() {
    DIMMER_SERIAL.begin(115200);
    checkConnection();
}

void loop() {
    setLevel(50);  // 50%
    delay(2000);
    setLevel(100); // 100%
    delay(2000);
}

void setLevel(uint8_t level) {
    uint8_t cmd[] = {0x02, 0x53, 0x00, level};
    DIMMER_SERIAL.write(cmd, 4);

    // Wait for response
    delay(10);
    if (DIMMER_SERIAL.available()) {
        uint8_t response = DIMMER_SERIAL.read();
        // 0x00 = OK
    }
}

// Connection check — request mains frequency
void checkConnection() {
    uint8_t cmd[] = {0x02, 0x52};
    Serial1.write(cmd, 2);

    delay(50);
    if (Serial1.available() >= 2) {
        uint8_t status = Serial1.read();
        uint8_t freq = Serial1.read();
        if (status == 0x00) {
            Serial.print("OK! Mains frequency: ");
            Serial.print(freq);
            Serial.println(" Hz");
        }
    }
}

Python:

python
import serial
import time

ser = serial.Serial('/dev/ttyUSB0', 115200, timeout=0.1)

def set_level(level):
    cmd = bytes([0x02, 0x53, 0x00, level])
    ser.write(cmd)
    response = ser.read(1)
    return len(response) > 0 and response[0] == 0x00

# Set brightness to 50%
if set_level(50):
    print("OK")
else:
    print("Error")



Step 4: Verify Operation

  1. Upload the code to your microcontroller
  2. Power up DimmerLink
  3. Observe — the lamp should change brightness



Connection Verification


I2C — Device Scan

Arduino:

cpp
#include 

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(115200);
    Wire.begin();

    Serial.println("Scanning for I2C devices...");

    Wire.beginTransmission(0x50);
    if (Wire.endTransmission() == 0) {
        Serial.println("DimmerLink found at 0x50");
    } else {
        Serial.println("Device not found!");
    }
}

void loop() {}

Raspberry Pi (command line):

bash
# Install if not present:
sudo apt install i2c-tools

# Scan for devices:
i2cdetect -y 1

Expected output — 50 at the intersection of row 5 and column 0.


UART — Response Check

Send the mains frequency request command:

python
HEX: 02 52

Expected response:
- 00 32 — OK, frequency 50 Hz
- 00 3C — OK, frequency 60 Hz



Not Working?

Problem Solution
No response Check wiring and power
Error 0xFC EEPROM write error
I2C doesn't see device Check connections and pull-up resistors
Incorrect brightness Check logic levels (3.3V/5V)

More details: FAQ & Troubleshooting


What You'll Need Step 1: Choose an Interface Step 2: Wiring Step 3: Upload Code Step 4: Verify Operation Connection Verification Not Working? What's Next?