Complete Guide to Dimming LED Lights

Dimmable LEDs are an energy efficient lighting choice for your home. No matter if you are most concerned with energy efficient lighting or the moody appeal dim light can bring, In this article, we’ll answer some common questions, such as: are LED lights dimmable?

 

Benefits of Using Dimmable Led Lighting in the Home 

Dimmable LED lights bring with them many perks that make them an easy choice.

 

• ENERGY EFFICIENT. LED lighting on its own is remarkably energy efficient. It uses 80 percent less energy than its traditional counterparts. Instead of first creating heat like halogen bulbs, LEDs immediately turn energy into illumination.

 

Dimmable LED lighting takes it one step further. When you don’t have the light shining at max capacity, it will naturally use less energy.

 

• ECO-FRIENDLY. Due to the lessened energy usage, dimmable LED lights are gentler on the environment. Using them could help reduce your carbon footprint.

 

• LONG LIFE. LED lights are rated to last tens of thousands of hours already. When you have dimmable lights, you can extend that life even further.

 

• LOWER COST. A reduction in energy consumption from your lights may reduce the energy expenditures of your household as a whole. With a longer lifespan on top of it, you will save money on replacements..

 

• ADJUSTABILITY AND COMFORT. With the ability to dim your lights, you stay in control of the brightness at all times. This will be helpful when you want to relax at night and are ready to wind down. Dimming lights can also starkly reduce any glare.

 

• IMPROVED SLEEP. By dimming the lights and limiting your exposure to bright illumination before bed, you may improve your overall sleep quality. Limiting light before bed helps keep your circadian rhythm in check.

 

Dimmable bedroom lights are especially useful because of this. Having a dimmable bedside lamp can help you more easily relax as you read before bed, helping you slip into a more restful sleep.

Can Any LED Light Be Dimmed? 

Dimmable light fittings are becoming increasingly common. This is especially true of recessed lighting fixtures. Even so, not all LEDs are dimmable. In order for an LED light to be dimmed, the bulb must be specially designated as capable of doing so. It is not enough to simply attach an average LED light to a dimmer switch.

In order to enjoy dimmable home lighting solutions, you will need to ensure the bulb you purchase is capable of doing so. On the packaging, you can usually find out whether or not the bulb can be dimmed.

 

What Are the Different LED Light Dimmer Types? 

Once you find a dimmable LED bulb, you can begin exploring how to dim LED lights. There are a number of switch options to consider.

 

DALI Switches

DALI stands for “digital addressable lighting interface.” It is a type of standard lighting control that works by way pf a two-way digital communication protocol. You can control multiple lights at once with it, or dim individual fixtures.

They are simple to install, and they don’t need any complicated wiring or connections. Due to the ease of installation, it is one of the more popular choices for dimmer switches. This is especially true in smaller rooms, and will require minimum configuration.

 

DMX

Standing for “digital multiplexed signal,” a DMX protocol involves a controller that communicates with certain lights. They are great for dimming since they can access a wide range of brightnesses and intensities. It has multiple channels it can connect to, allowing for borderline theatrical lighting effects.

 

1-10v Dimming

1-10v dimming is one of the earliest examples of dimming protocols, and one of the easiest to use to this day. It works by dimming lights based on the amount of current allowed to flow through. This style provides both eco-friendly lighting and highly consistent illumination.

1-10v uses voltages ranging between 1v and 10v. It requires a separate control system to communicate to the driver how much dimming is needed.

 

Smart Dimming

Dimmable smart LED lights make enjoying dimmed lighting more convenient than ever. This advanced technology allows users to dim or brighten their lights through:

• voice commands
• apps
• automated schedules
• certain routines

 

Using your smartphone or your voice is all it takes to control the brightness. Through smart lighting, you can also set routines to have the lights automatically dim in certain conditions. Automation allows you to set the lights on a defined schedule as well.

It works by the user communicating a dimming command to the hub of the smart light by wireless means. Once the fixtures receive the signal, they adjust the light to the level that is asked for. It is accomplished by changing the power that is sent to the LED bulb.

Pulse width modulation, or PWM, is a common smart dimming option. It rapidly turns the LED lights on and off to give the appearance of a changed brightness. It moves so swiftly the human eye cannot detect it.

 

Triac dimming

Triac dimming is one of the most popular domestic dimmer switch protocols. Its popularity is owed to its compatibility with all sorts of dimmable bulbs. You can replace an incandescent bulb with an LED one without needing to do any wiring.

Triac stands for “triode for alternating current.” It is a bi-directional semiconductor device. This style of dimmer switch changes the light by controlling the waveforms of an alternating current.

 

Do You Need a Special Dimmer Switch for LED Lighting? 

From dimmable wall lights to dimmable LED ceiling lights, you may be wondering if you need anything special to actually dim the fixtures. If so, it is important to know that not all dimmer switches work with LED lights.

If you use the wrong kind of dimmer switch, it could lead to problems including:

• reduced dimming range
• flickering
• damage to LED bulbs
• buzzing noises

 

In order to avoid these issues with your dimmable light fixtures, be sure you have compatible fixtures to work with.

 

LED-Specific Dimmers

Be on the lookout for dimmer switches that are specifically designed to be used with compatible LED bulbs. These dimmers are designed to manage the lower voltage of LED lights, so they operate without issue.

 

Universal Dimmers

There are some modern dimmers known as multi-load or universal dimmers. These work with all manner of bulbs, including halogen, incandescent, CFL and LED bulbs. Double check the specifications to ensure the universal adapter will work with LEDs.

 

To choose the right dimmer switch, keep these tips in mind:

 

• CHECK MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS. To avoid any unwanted issues with your dimmable living room lights or dimmable kitchen lights, be sure you check the manufacturer of the LED bulbs. They will typically list out the compatible types of switches.

 

• DIMMER LOAD. Make sure the dimmer switch is able to handle the total wattage of an LED light. Since LED lights consume less power, the minimum load rating will oftentimes matter more than the maximum.

 

Troubleshooting Dimmable LED Light Dimming Issues  

Dimmable ceiling lights, lamps and wall sconces have their perks, but that does not mean they come without their issues. Like any other light source, you may have to see to some troubleshooting from time to time.

There are a few specific issues that can arise with dimmer switches.

 

• DROP OUT. Drop out occurs when you attempt to lower the lights and the light simply turns off before you have the switch at the bottom.

 

• POP ON. The opposite of ‘drop out,’ pop on issues occur when moving the dimmer switch to brighten the illumination, and the lights suddenly turn on at full brightness.

 

• DEAD TRAVEL. This occurs when the lamps don’t react to any adjustments you make.

 

• Ghosting happens when the lights are completely dimmed, but small levels of illumination continue to shine.

 

One of the most common issues with dimmable lights, however, is flickering and flashing. If you notice this, one of the following reasons is likely to blame:

 

• WIRING ISSUES. LED lights often flicker due to poor installation. Most commonly, this comes as a result of unsecured, loose wiring. By tightening them and ensuring they are in place, you may resolve this. It is recommended you have a qualified electrician take a look at wiring issues for you.

 

• NON-DIMMABLE LIGHTING. Using dimmable LEDs is not as simple as using a dimmer switch on a standard LED fixture. You need to have a compatible dimmable bulb. If you don’t, you may notice flickering and flashing as the low voltage bulb struggles to keep up with the higher voltage.

 

• INAPPROPRIATE DIMMER SWITCHES. It’s not only important that you choose the right light bulbs – you also need switches that are made for them.

 

If changing the bulbs to a compatible dimmable LED bulb does not help, you will need to have wiring adjusted and re-done to fix the above issues.

 

How Do Dimmable LED Lights Work? 

Dimmable LED lights operate differently from traditional bulbs. This is owed to their unique composition. A dimmable LED light needs three things:

 

• LED chips are semiconductors that shine light as a current moves through them.

 

• LED drivers regulate that current and ensures the proper voltage is getting into the bulb.

 

• Dimmer switches are responsible for altering the amount of power that flows into the driver. This controls the brightness levels emitted.

 

Dimmable LEDs work by way of a few different mechanisms. The most common among them is Pulse Width Modulation (PWM). It works by swiftly turning the light on and off, fast enough the flash cannot be detected by the eye.

The longer the light stays on between flashes, the brighter it looks. Dimmer switches can adjust the duration of such pulses, which dictates how bright or dim the light appears.

Analog dimming is another mechanism used. The driver simply reduces the current going into the bulb to control and dim the light. Modern LED drivers work with a number of dimming protocols, such as DALI, 1-10V, or leading edge/trailing edge dimmers.

Of course, all of this is directed by dimmer switches. These switches send signals to the driver, telling it what to do. It permits more or less voltage to come through, brightening and dimming the light respectively.

 

What Do Minimum and Maximum Loads on Dimmer Switches Mean?  

Dimmable LED downlights use dimmer switches to control their brightness levels. They have both minimum and maximum loads of power they can access and use.

 

Minimum Loads

Minimum load requirements are in place to ensure the driver is using enough of the current to keep the switching elements in a closed circuit. Without them, you may notice flickering, flashing when turned off, a reduced dimming range, or simply no operation at all.

 

Maximum Loads

Maximum load requirements indicate how much of a current can move through the light without exceeding its capabilities. If the limits are surpassed, it can cause flickering, breaker tripping, and even total failure of the dimmer itself. It is especially important for preventing the current from overloading the driver when first turning on the light.

 

What Is the Different Between Leading Edge and Trailing Edge Dimmers?

There are different types of dimmer switches, as mentioned. They can essentially be broken down into two categories: leading edge and trailing edge dimmers. Both of them work by cutting the voltage at certain areas along the sine wave. This reduces the power going into the lamp.

 

Leading Edge Dimmers

Leading edge dimmers are the most commonly used of the two. They have been around far longer, as they are used more for traditional halogen and incandescent bulbs. This type of dimmer yields a higher range of appropriate wattages, so they aren’t as likely to work with low-voltage LED lights.

 

Trailing Edge Dimmers

Trailing edge dimmers are designed specifically to be used with LED bulbs. They allow for proper voltage movement and comparable wattage ranges–which are much lower than leading edge dimmers. They also promise silent operation with no buzzing and have a much lower minimum load.

 

Do Dimmable LED Lights Reduce Energy Consumption? 

Dimmable lights definitely reduce energy consumption. As mentioned, LED lights are inherently low energy lights. They transform most of their energy into illumination, bypassing unnecessary heat production. Dimming the lights a mere 10 percent can result in saving up to 10 percent of energy in turn.

With dimmed lights, you are using even less energy than with a non-dimmable LED. By lowering the level of brightness and intensity, you are using less power. Lowered power usage results in lower electricity bills through the energy savings.

Another perk of the energy efficient nature of dimmable LEDs is the way they extend the life of the bulb. When you aren’t running them at full steam, they will take much longer to burn out. You will therefore not have to replace them as often, saving you time, money and effort.

 

Ideas for Dimming LED Lights

 

1. 5 Watt Dimmable Recessed Bedside LED Reading Light

Wind down comfortably before bed using the 5 Watt Dimmable Recessed Bedside LED Reading Light. This wall mounted reading light generates 3000K warm white light at a pleasant brightness of 450 lumens. The light shines at a 30 degree beam angle from an adjustable head. You can control just how bright it is by twisting the dimmer switch on the front plate. It is fashioned out of high quality aluminium given your choice of a black or nickel finish.

 

2. Leon 20 Watt 600mm Wide Dimmable Brushed Silver LED Wall Light

Take control over the ambiance in your space with the Leon 20 Watt 600mm Wide Dimmable Brushed Silver LED Wall Light. This wall light features a maximum 1600 lumen brightness, providing generous illumination. You can alter the brightness by using the dimmer switch it comes with. The 3000K warm white light shines through opal acrylic diffusers, softening the light further. It measures a total length of 600 millimeters and is crafted out of sturdy materials, finished in brushed aluminium.

 

3. CSL022 5 Watt Dimmable Round Recessed LED Downlight Fitting

Enjoy beautiful flush dimmable LED lights with the CSL022 5 Watt Dimmable Round Recessed LED Downlight Fitting in your home. This light provides 450 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines downwards at a 23 degree beam angle. The light is encased in an aluminium shell, finished in your choice of black, rose gold, white, or white with a chrome internal reflector. It measures a total diameter of 83 millimeters.

 

4. LDC735 9 Watt Anti Glare Dimmable Recessed LED Downlight

Get all of the beauty of dimmable lighting without any of the glare at max brightness using the LDC735 9 Watt Anti Glare Dimmable Recessed LED Downlight. This one of a kind downlight features an LED bulb that sits deeply within the fixture. Its position prevents any glare from forming, even when you look right at it. Instead, it shines 800 lumens of light in a pool below it. This fixture is fashioned out of top quality aluminium featuring a sleek white exterior and a contrasting black reflector ring. Overall, it measures 85 millimeters in diameter.