If you are unsure about purchasing a dimmer for LED lights, here are some reasons why you should consider one. 

Dimmer switches are a great way to set the ambience in a room, and they work well for any occasion. If you use a certain room for multiple purposes, such as a dining room for dinner parties and casual dining, you can use a dimmer to create an atmosphere depending on the room’s purpose. 

LED lights already have numerous benefits. They are energy efficient and environmentally conscious, and sometimes you can control the lighting from your handheld device. In a home, harsh lighting can be uncomfortable; therefore, if you don’t use warm coloured light bulbs, you will greatly benefit from dimmer switches. 

Once you get a dimmer switch for LED bulbs, you will get more of your lighting experience. A modern LED compatible dimmer switch rapidly uses the electricity from circuits to turn the lights completely on or off. 

It is the switching rate of the light that determines the brightness. Due to this process, a dimmer will help you save energy in the long run. Once you install a dimmer to your LED light, you can have even more control over the intensity of illumination. 

Even though you can find a dimmer switch for LED bulbs, it is important to note that every LED bulb is not compatible with a dimmer switch. If you already have a dimmer switch installed in your house, it is possible that this switch might not work with your new LED light bulbs. 

To successfully connect a dimmer with an LED, you must look for specialised dimmable light bulbs. An LED manufacturer will clearly indicate if an LED light bulb is dimmable or not. If you can't find this information on the packaging, check the manufacturer’s website for more information. 

Can You Use LED Bulbs With A Dimmer Switch?

Even though this seems like a simple question, the answer is slightly more complex as there are a number of factors which determine whether an LED bulb can work with a dimmer switch or not. 

Every LED bulb is not the same, and there are a wide variety of LED bulbs on the markets that work with conventional dimmer switches while others do not. Some LED luminaries require a specific LED dimmer to work well. 

Even if there are some LED bulbs with a dimmer function, they might not work well with such a switch due to their location or fitting configuration. Also, there are some LED bulbs that do not have a dimmer function at all. Therefore it is crucial that you check the product specification before purchasing a dimmer for LED lights. 

For example, if you have an LED bulb in a recessed casing or fitted under a cabinet, you might need a highly specialised LED dimmer to optimise the performance of your light. Another important thing to consider is the power level. 

Most traditional dimmer switches are only compatible with lights that have a minimum power level. These types of LED bulbs will never be with LED bulbs. In short, if you want your LED bulbs to work with a dimmer switch, you must look for a compatible bulb. 

What Is The Difference Between Dimmable and Non-Dimmable Bulbs?

It is important to know the difference between these two light bulbs as they can help you achieve compatibility with a dimmer switch. 

Just as there are LED compatible dimmer switches, there are specialised LEDs. The main difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LED bulbs is structural. LED bulbs are diodes that release electromagnetic radiation. This radiation combines with electrical energy to create light. 

These bulbs are different from incandescent bulbs, which use electrical power to heat a wire called a filament. This filament grows and produces light. Through this process, we can see that LEDs require drivers to operate. 

The driver component controls the current delivered from the main power supply to the LED emitter. These driver electronics are important in a dimmer for LED lights as they control the dimming performance of the bulb. 

Some LED luminaries have non-dimmable drivers, which are not compatible with dimmers in any capacity. However, there are some drivers that allow a minimum dimming level of 10%. This means that the dimmer for LED lights can only provide 10% dimmable quality at the full power level. Due to these factors, the choice of light bulbs is extremely important. 

When picking a LED bulb, choose a dimmable option and make sure that the dimmable range fits your lighting needs. You can check the packaging or the manufacturer’s website for more information.

How Does A Dimmer Switch Work?

Before purchasing a dimmer, it is important to understand how a dimmer for led lights works. Dimmer switches work by cutting down the power supplied to your light bulb. These switches do so by trimming an area of a waveform. 

The dimmer makes the trim either on the trailing edge of the leading edge of the wave. Most manufacturers create LED compatible dimmer switches with a trailing edge configuration. Trailing edge dimmer is most commonly found in households, and they are slightly more complicated than the leading edge dimmer. 

These trailing edge dimmers are also more expensive than the leading edge; however, they have many great features such as silent running, better control, multi-way dimming and soft start. These benefits not only give you better control over your lighting but also improve the life of your LED light bulbs. So, how do trailing edge and leading edge dimmer work?

Trailing Edge Dimmer

Trailing edge dimmers are manufactured to fade the voltage of the switch to zero instead of completely shutting it off. This process occurs when resistance to the voltage creates a ramp. The ramp increases the level of heat dissipation because the resistive area generates heat energy. 

Leading Edge Dimmer

Leading edge dimmers are commonly used with incandescent lights or mains halogen bulbs. Leading edge dimmers work well with inductive or resistive loads, and they can reduce this laid by reducing the cycle at the leading edge of the waveform input. 

What Dimmer Switch Do I Need For LED Lights?

There are several important factors to consider when purchasing a dimmer switch for LED bulbs. Since LED light is more sensitive than a standard incandescent light bulb, it requires a driver to operate. 

As mentioned, driver appliances control the electrical currents sent from the mains energy supply into the light emitting diode. This process produces the light visible to us. The exact type of LED compatible dimmer switch depends on the bulb’s drivers. 

For instance, a pulse width modulation (PWM) dimmer quickly switches the light on and off and is highly compatible with constant voltage drivers and current drivers. For these LED dimmers, both the driver and the LED light should be compatible with PMW for optimal dimming performance. Without this compatibility, the dimmer function will not adequately work. 

On the other hand, a constant current reduction (CCR) dimmer, which works by controlling the current level flowing in the light, can work with a constant current driver. Since CCR LED dimmers do not flicker the bulb’s light, they are better than PWM dimmers in certain applications. Such applications include lighting areas where high-risk activity happens, or machinery is operated. 

One important thing to note is that some PWM dimmers produce electromagnetic interference. This feature can become quite problematic in certain cases. In more extreme cases, electromagnetic interference can lead to major system failures in electronic appliances. 

If you are choosing between trailing edge and leading edge dimmers for LED, you will highly benefit from installing trailing edge dimmers. However, PWM dimmers do have benefits. These dimmers are safe to handle and can reduce an LED bulb’s brightness without hindering its colour temperature. 

Trailing edge dimmers switches are specifically designed to be used with almost all LED light bulbs. These switches contain a number of features that make them highly compatible. Some of these characteristics include their digital makeup and comparable wattage ranges. 

Even though trailing edge dimmers can sometimes work with an incandescent light bulb, they are far more compatible with LED light bulbs. The required wattage range for trailing edge dimmers is significantly lower. This means a low wattage trailing edge dimmer is highly compatible with lower watt LED luminaries. 

For incandescent and halogen light bulbs, you should use a leading edge dimmer. Although it is recommended that you check LED light manufacturers and packaging for their dimmer compatibility, you can also check the dimmer switch for LED bulb manufacturer’s website to get more information about its LED counterpart. 

Most dimmer switch manufacturers conduct rigorous testing with light bulbs; therefore, the data from these websites can be highly reliable and worth checking out before your purchase.

What Are The Different Types Of Dimmer Switches?

Early dimmer switches worked by increasing a circuit’s resistance capacity. A variable resistor component lowers the currents. Once this occurs, the resistor takes more voltage leading to the voltage going through the bulb. This process reduces the bulb’s brightness giving you dimming capabilities. 

However, some dimmers switches dissipate energy through heat, which can become a safety hazard if the dimmer overheats. Another thing to note is that these older dimmer models also do not reduce energy consumption; therefore, they don’t help you save on energy bills. However, modern technology has made many helpful innovations. 

These innovative features can be found in many new and improved dimmer switches. Nowadays, manufacturers have created universal dimmers that are compatible with many different light sources, including LED lights. 

The universal dimmer plugs use 3 wires instead of the traditional 2 wire configuration used by old switches. The third wire is called a switched live wire, and this is added to make the circuits safer and more stable. 

What Is The Difference Between a Regular vs LED Dimmer Switch?

As mentioned before, regular dimmers and dimmers for LED lights are completely different. This is because not all dimmer switches are designed to work with LED luminaries. Therefore before you buy any LED light, you must check if it is compatible with a dimmer. 

You can also opt for LED dimmers instead. Specialised LED dimmers are far more energy efficient than regular switches; therefore, if you want your LED lights to maintain or increase their energy saving properties, you should purchase a specialised dimmer for LED lights. 

The main difference between a regular and LED dimmer is the wiring configuration. The 3 wire configuration in the LED dimmers makes them much more stable for circuit use. 

Can A Dimmer Switch Reduce An LEDs’ Lifespan?

Some light bulbs don’t do well when they are frequently dimmer or brighter. Some light bulbs can suffer damage from being in a dimmer state for a long period of time. Dimming functions by constantly shifting electricity. 

Frequent and multiple adjustments to a dimmer switch can wear down a light bulb’s internal mechanisms, ultimately leading to the bulb not working. However, one positive of this is that there is less power needed to recess the bulb, reduce the brightness and dim light more efficiently. 

Despite compatibility, some bulbs work well with dimmer switches while others don’t. The lifespan of an LED bulb, when used with a dimmer switch, depends on its junction temperature. The junction temperature refers to the condition of the circuit located at the base of the bulb. An LED needs a lower junction temperature for optimal performance. 

When you dim an LED, you reduce its junction temperature. Therefore, LED luminaries are typically unaffected by dimming; in fact, the lower heat emission might be better for the lifespan of your LED bulbs.  

Are Incandescent Bulbs Compatible With LED Light Bulbs?

Phase-control dimmers were originally designed for incandescent light bulbs. These switches work by cutting a specific section of the AC voltage wave cycle. This reduces the voltage going into the light bulb. 

However, not all phase-control dimmer switches work with LED light bulbs. It is important that the dimmer you purchase is compatible with LED bulbs to avoid damaging your light fixtures. Incompatible switches might lead to undesirable effects such as:

• Increased flickering of lights is highly dangerous for people with photosensitive conditions. 
• Incompatible dimmers can cause noise pollution in the form of buzzing sounds. This sound is often caused by overloaded switches, economical dimmers or incompatibility with an LED bulb.
• If your dimmer switch is incompatible with the light bulbs, you could be wasting energy. Even if you don’t get the desired level of light, your bulbs will still produce a light output that goes to waste.
• A reduction in the reliability and lifespan of the LED bulb and the dimmer. 

To avoid such problems, make sure to purchase an LED compatible dimmer switch. 

What Are The Benefits OF Dimmer Switches?

Here are the benefits of installing a dimmer switch with your LEDs. 

Increased Light Flexibility

With a dimmer switch, you can easily adjust the illumination level of all the light in your home depending on your lighting preferences. For example, if you prefer warmer lighting in the living room or the dining room area, you can set your dimmer level to fit the room’s purpose. 

The more you dim the light bulb, the warmer the light gets. On the other hand, if you want a room to be brightly lit, you can use a dimmer switch in an area such as the kitchen to appropriately light your working spaces. You can also use a dimmer switch to light up areas that don’t receive any light due to a lack of sunlight. 

Extend Product Life

When you dim a light, you are making it work below its maximum performance. This can help increase the lifespan of an LED lamp. This extended product life will also help you save on maintenance and replacement costs in the long run. Dimmable lights also have a positive effect on human life. A bright light can helps prevent eye strain and improve concentration. 

Energy Efficiency

Dimmer switches allow you to optimise the energy consumption of your lights which ultimately reduces your energy bills. With a dimmer, you have better control over the intensity of your lighting; therefore, you can conserve energy when you don’t need too much artificial lighting. 

So, can you use a dimmer switch on LED lights? The answer is yes; you can; however, you must make sure to purchase the correct dimmer for LED lights. Be sure to check out the manufacturers for all information regarding compatibility before you make a purchase.