Dimming LED
Find the right dimmer for your light (LED or other)
Tips and informations:
Tips for the right lights, appropriate dimmers and how to avoid mistakes.
Here you will find information on the following topics:
Which lights can be dimmed?
Which dimmer fits my dimmable luminaire?
Which switch program can I use?
Dimming LEDs
What errors or problems can occur when dimming light sources?
There are basically two different types of dimmer:
Rotary dimmer: the brightness is regulated continuously via a rotary disc
Touch dimmer: the brightness is controlled by pressing the rocker switch for a longer period of time
Dimmers can be used and operated like normal switches as on-off switches or changeover switches.
Which lights can be dimmed?
Light fixtures come in a wide variety of types. The following are the most common:
- Normal light bulbs 230V, (socket E14/E27)
- High-voltage halogen 230V, with electronic transformer (socket GU10)
- Low voltage 12V, with conventional transformer (socket G4, GX/GU 5,3, GY 6,35)
- Low voltage 12V, with electronic transformer (socket G4, GX/GU 5,3 GY 6,35)
- Energy saving lamps with many different sockets
- Fluorescent lamps
- LED lamps, also with many different sockets
To find out if a lamp is dimmable, please look at the packaging of the product or at the product itself. Here you will find an indication if it is dimmable.
In general, you can assume that the following lights are dimmable:
- Normal light bulbs 230V, (socket E14/E27)
- High voltage halogen 230V, with electronic transformer (socket GU10)
- Low voltage 12V, with conventional transformer (socket G4, GX/GU 5,3, GY 6,35)
- Low voltage 12V, with electronic transformer (socket G4, GX/GU 5,3 GY 6,35)
With the following luminaires you must note, that
Energy-saving lamps are usually not dimmable- but there are exceptions
Fluorescent lamps are usually not dimmable - except if you have an electronic ballast (EB) that is dimmable
LED lights are dimmable if this is specifically stated on the package.
Which dimmer fits my dimmable luminaire?
There are several dimmer technologies that are suitable for the different light sources. There is usually a sign on the front of the dimmer indicating which one is suitable.
"R" ohmic loads for ohmic dimmers: for example for incandescent bulbs
"L" inductive loads = phase angle dimmer
for magnetic conventional transformers (wound coil with iron core, rather rare today, but often used for LV lighting in the past)
for 230V halogen lamps
Incandescent lamps
12V LV lighting with transformer and coil/iron core
"C" capacitive loads = phase cut dimmer
for electronic transformers such as: for 12V low voltage lighting
for 230V halogen lamps
Incandescent lamps
The following lamps fit with the following dimmers:
230V halogen lamps and normal incandescent lamps: all dimmers
12V-NV lighting with electronic transformer: phase-cut dimmers
12V-NV lighting with conventional transformer (iron core): leading-edge phase dimmer
LED lights: either leading-edge phase dimmer or trailing-edge phase dimmer (see below for explanation).
Note: there are also universal dimmers that automatically detect the load behaviour of the light source and automatically set the appropriate control.
Disadvantage: somewhat expensive
Advantage: when the lamp is changed, the dimmer fits and usually does not have to be replaced
Which switch program can be used?
There are two different ways to implement your switch program with dimmers:
Choose directly from your switch range manufacturer (Busch-Jaeger, Jung, Gira, Merten etc.) the right dimmer with cover depending on the lighting.
You take a Universal-Dimmer and choose your appropriate dimmer (phase angle/phase section) depending on the lighting. You can obtain the cover for this dimmer from your switch range manufacturer.
Advantage:
They are suitable for most brand manufacturers of switch ranges (order adapters with them)
They are relatively inexpensive and still of high quality
Dimming LEDs
If you want to dim LEDs, then pay attention to the packaging and the note "dimmable", because otherwise flickering light or a discontinuous dimming process can occur. It is best to use an LED light from a brand manufacturer. Common standards have been developed, for example, by the manufacturers of switch ranges such as Gira, Jung, Merten and others and of light sources such as Osram, Radium. One of these standards is called LEDOTRON. It offers a high-quality solution for dimming LEDs..
To dim an LED you need eithera leading-edge or trailing edge phase dimmer.
Leading-edge phase control dimmer for:
- Dimmable LED (see note on packaging)
- Dimmable energy saving lamps
- 230V HV high-voltage halogen lamps
- 12V low voltage lamps with magnetic transformer (iron core)
- Incandescent lamps
Trailing edge phase cut-off dimmer for:
- Dimmable LED (see note on packaging)
- Dimmable energy saving lamps
- 230V HV high-voltage halogen lamps
- 12V low voltage lamps with electronic transformer
- Incandescent lamps
What errors or problems can occur when dimming lamps?
Do you have the problem that the lamp cannot be dimmed? The following explanations are possible:
the illuminant is not dimmable, it is stated on the packaging or luminaire
Incorrect dimmer technology: check the control technology of the dimmer (phase control or phase cut-off)
the power consumption is too low, check whether the dimmable power is correct with the power of the dimmer
Your dimmer or lamp hums when dimming? The following explanations are possible:
the slight humming noise cannot be avoided. In cavity walls during dry construction it is often reinforced - Tip: use soft, non-flammable underlays during installation
Your dimmer is defective, please replace it.
You are using a wrong dimmer. Please pay attention to the power consumption, if it is above or below this, problems will occur
Your light flickers and does not dim continuously? The following explanations are possible:
the illuminant is not dimmable, it is stated on the packaging or lamp
You are using a wrong dimmer. Please pay attention to the power consumption, if it is above or below this value, problems will occur
Your dimmer is defective, please replace