If you've recently switched to LED light bulbs, or you have used them for a while but now want to use a dimmer switch with them, you may encounter some problems if you don't use the correct dimmer and LED bulbs. Using the incorrect bulbs or switches could lead you to experiencing flickering and buzzing, or no dim at all.
If you've experienced that problem, it is likely to be down to one of two things: the LED lighting you have chosen or the dimmer switch.
Do you have dimmable LED bulbs?
Traditional incandescent light bulbs can generally dim without issue, so don't need to be specifically dimmable, however not all LED bulbs are dimmable, and this is due to the way that LED bulbs and incandescent bulbs dim. Analogue dimming, with incandescent bulbs involves controlling the current to dim or brighten the light, whereas LED lights use Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) which involves the light going through a cycle of being on and off, so fast that you won’t be aware of it. So for a bulb to be 20% dimmer, it would need to be off 20% of the time.
Therefore, when planning the lighting in your home or business, if you wish to use a dimmer, you'll need to use dimmable LEDs, be they bulbs or downlights.
See our range of dimmable LED bulbs.
Are you using the correct dimmer switch for LED lights?
Some LED bulbs can work with the older leading edge dimmer switches, however it's more likely that they'll work with a more modern, trailing edge dimmer switch. (Need more information on these types of dimmers? Visit our blog Trailing Edge vs Leading Edge).These can be a little more expensive than older dimmers, but are more likely to stop issues including buzzing, humming, inability to achieve full brightness or premature bulb burnout.
Better yet, choosing one of our dimmers means you can choose. All of our dimmers contain Enkin dimmers, and the PDM150 allows you to choose between Trailing Edge and Leading edge at the touch of a button. And with soft-start, flicker-free technology, our dimmers will also prolong the life of your LED bulbs.
See our full range of LED dimmer switches.
FAQs
What if I don't want a traditional dimmer switch, is there an alternative?
Yes, we carry Dimming Toggle Switches that best suit traditional or period homes. These are a great alternative to the more modern style dimming knobs.
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FAQs
There are two types of dimmer switch available: leading-edge and trailing-edge dimmers. Some retrofit LED light bulbs and fittings have drivers that allow them to work with either type, but for a better chance of the dimmer operating correctly, choose a trailing-edge dimmer.
What type of dimmer is best suited for LEDs? ›
There are two types of dimmer switch available: leading-edge and trailing-edge dimmers. Some retrofit LED light bulbs and fittings have drivers that allow them to work with either type, but for a better chance of the dimmer operating correctly, choose a trailing-edge dimmer.
Do you need a special dimmer for LED lights? ›
Before buying a dimmer it is important to take into account two factors: LED lights only work with LED specific dimmers; not all dimmers are compatible with the lights you have at home. Moreover, not all dimmers have a good quality.
What size dimmer switch do I need for LED lights? ›
Generally speaking, you will be looking for either 600 watt max load or 1000 watt. When choosing dimmers for dimmable LEDs or CFLs, you should not load a dimmer higher than approximately 25% of the rated load for the dimmer.
What happens if you use the wrong dimmer with LED lights? ›
Not all dimmers are compatible with LED lights, and using an incompatible one could cause flickering, reduced lifespan of your LEDs, or they might not even dim properly at all.
What dimmer works best with LED lights? ›
There are two types of dimmer switch for mains dimming in your home; leading edge and trailing edge. Trailing edge switches work best with LEDs. If your dimmer switch is old it's likely a leading edge switch and worth changing to a trailing edge version.
How do I know if my dimmer is LED compatible? ›
Check Your Existing Dimmer
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.
Can you use an old dimmer switch for LED lights? ›
You can, but the results may not be what you want. Most dimmer switches were designed to work with filament lamps and incandescent bulbs. An LED bulb works differently. Among other things, it is low-voltage, and traditional bulbs are high-voltage.
Why do some LED bulbs say don't use with dimmers? ›
If you are replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs you will likely have a leading-edge dimmer. If it is an older dimmer, it was most likely designed for higher wattage lighting and will not work with low-wattage LED bulbs. You will need to choose a different dimmer in these cases….
Can you dim LED lights without a dimmer switch? ›
When it comes to dimmable LED light bulbs, many questions arise in the mind. One of the important questions is can you use dimmable LED light bulbs without a dimmer switch. The simple answer is YES, you can use a dimmable LED light bulb without a dimmer switch similar to standard light bulbs.
Calculate The Total Load
For example, if a dimmer is rated 200W-600W, the minimum load would be 20W and the maximum load would be 60W. This means that when using LED light bulbs, the load must be between 20W and 60W. To find out how many bulbs can be supported by a dimmer, add up the wattages of all the bulbs.
Why do LED lights flicker? ›
LED light bulbs often flicker when the dimmer malfunctions. If your LED lights aren't equipped with a dimmer, the cause of the flickering could be a problem with the bulb itself, a problem with the wiring, or a problem with the power.
How are LED dimmers different? ›
While many people think of dimming lights being achieved by reducing the voltage and therefore the light as well, LED solutions tend to take a different approach. With an LED, the voltage remains the same whether the solution is operated at full capacity or a dimmed capacity.
Do LED lights require a special dimmer switch? ›
Compatibility Considerations: Not all dimmer switches are compatible with LED bulbs. To ensure smooth and efficient operation, choosing a dimmer specifically designed for LED technology is essential.
Why won t dimmer switch work with LED lights? ›
Not all LED bulbs are created to dim, and if installed with a dimmer, are likely to not respond well or at all. Secondly, not all dimming controls work with LEDs. If you installed LEDs and connected them to a dimmer for your previous incandescent lighting, it is likely they are not compatible.
Why are some of my LED lights dimmer than others? ›
When connecting multiple strips, the voltage drop can cause LEDs at the end of the strip to appear dimmer than those at the beginning. The longer the LED strip, the more significant the voltage drop will be.
Can I use a leading edge dimmer for LED lights? ›
Compatible with resistive or inductive loads, leading edge dimmers are most suited to use with incandescent or mains halogen lightbulbs. Trailing edge dimmer switches are generally compatible with the majority of brands of LED lights.
What are the different types of LED dimming? ›
There are two main LED dimming methods: analog dimming and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) dimming. Analog dimming is a method that reduces the current that flows through the LED, which in turn reduces its brightness. This method is simple and inexpensive, but it has some drawbacks.
What happens if you put a non-dimmable LED bulb in a dimmer? ›
If you install a non-dimmable LED light on a dimmable switch, you might have it set at 100% the entire time to ensure it operates correctly. The bulb can start buzzing or flickering once you lower the power threshold to the fixture. Those activities can damage the product or significantly reduce its lifespan.
