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Choose the right dimmer switch for your LED lights

Choose the right dimmer switch for your LED lights

Choose the right dimmer switch for your LED lights

When choosing LED light bulbs, householders need to be aware that some models can only work if a dimmer switch is installed to operate them, Legrand has pointed out.

Alastair Ramsay, sustainable development manager at the electrical installations company, commented: "Unlike incandescent lamps, specific types of LEDs (light emitting diodes) need to be selected if dimming controls are to be used.

"At present, a European standard is being developed for the dimming of LEDs and the specification of the lamps, but this is still some way off," he said.

Therefore, homeowners fitting LEDs to their own property will need to match the dimming control to the bulb being used. Most of the time the dimmer required will be relatively new to the market, but it is important to check.

"Care must also be taken to ensure that the new lower total load of the LED lamps fitted to the controlled circuit is above the minimum power requirement of the dimmer control. This is often not the case where there is an existing, older dimmer already installed, which can lead to LED lamps not performing or, in the worst case, not functioning at all," Mr Ramsay added.

Meanwhile, householders in Sheffield are set to benefit from a new scheme in which LED bulbs will be fitted to street lights, PostcodeGazette.com reported.

The Streets Ahead initiative aims to improve the safety of the city's roads by providing better and clearer illumination. These bulbs will also help drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to render colour more accurately because the light is so much clearer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

These street lights will also be installed on a dimmer control system, meaning the illumination can be made stronger or weaker as the situation dictates.

Moira Coad, assembly steward for the south-west area, told the website: "Crucially if the police or fire brigade have an incident where they have to close a road off they can ask for the lights to be turned up so they have a better light to get investigations complete."