Method and apparatus for varying the power in a load connected to the mains

摘要

A method for regulating the power in a load connected to the mains through a controlled switch and a device for implementing the method. The method includes the following steps: detecting a mains synchronization pulse, which determines the start of a cycle, within a fixed time interval of the preceding cycle; as soon as the pulse has been detected, waiting for the end of the fixed interval, then counting down a first time interval that substantially corresponds to a selected time interval; at the end of the first time interval, triggering the switch on and counting down a second time interval that ends before the normal arrival of the next synchronization pulse; and at the end of the second time interval, counting down the fixed time interval within which the next synchronization pulse must be detected.