What is the correct dimmer for LED lights?
The type of dimmer switch and it’s minimum/maximum load range will indicate the compatibility with LED light bulbs. Trailing edge dimmers work best with LED light bulbs and leading-edge dimmers work best with traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs.
What is the difference between a regular dimmer and an LED dimmer?
The main difference is that you have a smaller dimming range (typically 70-90% range vs. 100% with incandescent or halogen). LED Bulbs may not shut off at the lowest dim setting like traditional bulbs. In traditional dimming systems you are simply lowering the voltage/power to the bulb, which in turn dims it down.
Can you add a dimmer to LED lights?
A standard dimmer switch cannot be used with an LED light as you will never be able to dim the LED light either completely or not very well. LED lights need their own special electronic dimmer switch to have a fully functioning and dimming light.
Is leading edge dimmer suitable for LED?
Leading edge dimmers are suitable for inductive load, for example magnetic low voltage transformers; and resistive loads like incandescent light bulbs. They are generally unsuitable for LED light bulbs.
What is the best dimmer switch for LED bulbs?
Lutron Diva LED+ Dimmer
Best for LED: Lutron Diva LED+ Dimmer Switch, Single-Pole or 3-Way. If you want reliable, flicker-free dimming operation from your LED bulbs, check out the Lutron Diva LED+ dimmer switch.
Why do my LED lights flicker on a dimmer switch?
LED bulb flickering can be traced in almost every instance to a non-compatible dimmer switch in the lighting circuit. LED bulbs don’t have glowing filaments. When the dimmer switch goes off and on many times per second, the LED bulb becomes a flickering strobe light.
What makes LEDs dimmable?
In the case of PWM, dimmable LEDs work by creating a dimming effect. Unlike traditional lighting such as incandescent, dimmable LED bulbs don’t rely on voltage to dictate their level of brightness. Instead, they essentially rely on a cycle of being on and off.
Are LED leading or trailing edge?
Leading-edge: inductive loads (e.g. magnetic low voltage transformers), resistive loads (e.g. incandescent). Trailing-edge: capacitive loads (e.g. electronic low voltage transformers, LED drivers), resistive loads (e.g. incandescent).
What is the difference between leading edge and trailing edge dimmer switch?
These two types of phase cutting dimmer get their names from the part of the AC wave that they cut off. Leading edge dimming cuts of the front edge of each waves’ half cycle. Conversely trailing edge dimming cuts out the second half of each waves’ half cycle.
How do I choose an LED dimmer switch?
Choose a dimmer with a wattage rating that meets or exceeds the total wattage of all the light bulbs the dimmer will control. For example, if the dimmer controls a fixture with ten 75-watt bulbs, you need a dimmer rated for 750 watts or higher.
How many LED bulbs can you put on a dimmer?
As an example – if you have a dimmer switch with a maximum rating of 400W (rule of thumb translates to 40W) you can run five 7.1W dimmable LED light bulbs (see example below for further explanation).
