• some devices can work on less power than they naturally pull. Examples: resistance loads like coil hot plates, simple coffeemakers, some electric motors²⁾
• a TRIAC³⁾ is a particular circuit component, but also refers to a controller device that uses that internal component to adjust the power a device consumes. They are often sold as “router speed controls” or similar.
• a TRIAC must not be used with brushed motors or anything with electronics in it. Simple analog devices only.
• running the load at a low percentage (50% of normal) will cause less heat in the TRIAC than running it at a high percentage (90% of normal).⁴⁾

It will take the same amount of power to do the same amount of work (heat water, etc) so why reduce it? Because it can help us stay under the limits of our power setup. What if we have a 1500w hair dryer or hot plate but only a 1000w inverter? What if we have a corded drill that will run on our inverter but not start due to surge? What if we have a heating pad that is too hot even on its lowest setting? Or a crockpot we wish we could set somewhere between HI and LO for better temperature control?

Or we might be on shore power but have multiple 120vac devices that we want to run simultaneously but would trip a 15A shore power outlet.

* analog⁵⁾ resistance loads like heating pads, crock pots, hot plates, immersion heaters, rice cookers, bento “lunchboxes”, coffee grinders, etc. Warning: anything with electronics like displays, etc, will not work right and could be damaged. * simple devices with motors like fans, routers, etc. Warning: fancy “brushless” motors will not work right and could be damaged

There is little clear information on the topic since running them off inverters is an extreme minority position, but it appears that TRIACS work best on PSW inverters. They may run on MSW but seem unable to reduce power