Quick Answer: Do Dimmable Led Bulbs Need A Special Dimmer Switch?

A standard dimmer switch cannot be used with an LED light as you will never be able to dim the LED light either completely or not very well. LED lights need their own special electronic dimmer switch to have a fully functioning and dimming light.

What kind of dimmer switch works with LED lights?

Trailing edge dimmers work best with LED light bulbs and leading-edge dimmers work best with traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs.

Is there a difference between a dimmer switch and a LED dimmer switch?

The main difference is that you have a smaller dimming range ( typically 70-90% range vs. 100% with incandescent or halogen). LED Bulbs may not shut off at the lowest dim setting like traditional bulbs. A dimmer for LED lights is specially designed to send power and control signals to each type of electronic LED driver.

What happens if you don’t use an LED dimmer switch?

If you install a non-dimming LED bulb in a circuit with a dimming switch, it will likely operate normally if the dimmer is at its 100% or fully on. Dimming the bulb, will likely cause erratic behavior such as flickering or buzzing and ultimately may cause damage to the bulb.

Can you use LED light bulbs with dimmer switch?

Yes, LED bulbs can be used on a dimmer but they need to be listed as dimmable. LEDs can still work with incandescent dimmers, but the compatibility is an essential factor. Look at manufacturers’ website to figure out the right bulb and dimmer for your home.

How do I choose an LED dimmer switch?

Choose a dimmer with a wattage rating that meets or exceeds the total wattage of all the light bulbs the dimmer will control. For example, if the dimmer controls a fixture with ten 75-watt bulbs, you need a dimmer rated for 750 watts or higher.

Why do my LED lights flicker on a dimmer switch?

LED bulb flickering can be traced in almost every instance to a non-compatible dimmer switch in the lighting circuit. LED bulbs don’t have glowing filaments. When the dimmer switch goes off and on many times per second, the LED bulb becomes a flickering strobe light.

Why are LED bulbs not dimmable?

Damage or failure – LED driver, circuit or LED is damaged or fails. Load below minimum – The power load of the LED lamp is below the minimum required by the dimmer. Mixed models- Different models of LED will likely have different drivers – since drivers behave differently this could result in dimming issues.

Can all LED lights be dimmed?

The answer is simple. Yes you can dim LED, but not all LED bulbs are dimmable. How does dimming a LED bulb work? The luminous element in a LED lamp is a LED.

What happens if you use incandescent dimmer with LED?

When dimming an LED you may notice the following: Smaller amount of dimming rage (Typically 70-90% range vs. 100% with incandescent) LED Bulbs may not shut off at lowest dim setting: this is caused by the dimmer thinking the bulb is completely off due to the low amount of wattage an LED consumes.

How many LED lights can you put on a dimmer?

A good rule of thumb is to allow 100W for each LED fixture so in this case, the 600W dimmer can handle only six LED fixtures. If you are meeting all of the electrical requirements of the dimmer and you are still having flicker issues, you can try adjusting the low-end trim.

Does a dimmer switch require special wiring?

Remember: Dimmer switches don’t work on most fluorescent fixtures, and low-voltage lighting requires special low-voltage dimmers. Remove the wires from the old switch. Dimmer switches are usually connected to the house wiring by short lengths of wire coming out of the switch body rather than by screw terminals.