Is LED lighting dimmable?

Is LED lighting dimmable?

Yes, LED lighting is easy to dim, especially with the right LED dimmer. With dimmable LED lighting there are a few points of attention:
Only LED lighting that is specifically designated as 'dimmable LED lighting' is suitable for this, look in the title or under 'specifications' at the product level.
LED lighting has very low wattage. It is important that the total connected power in watts approaches the start of the dimming range. The dimming range is often specified on the packaging or on the front plate of the dimmer (see example below)

Example:  This dimmer has a dimming range of 20-360W. In order for the dimmer to work properly, a minimum of 5 LED lamps of 4W must be connected to each other on a dimmer.

Too few LED lamps (too low connected total wattage) will make the lamps flicker, especially in the low dimming position. Due to the low wattage of the LED lamps, the dimming range is sufficient but more limited than with halogen or incandescent lamps.

Pay attention!  A special 12Volt dimmable LED driver/transformer is required for 12Volt LED spots or LED lamps.

LED and Halogen lamps dim curve

If you reduce the power of a halogen lamp by 50%, the halogen lamp is almost off, the LED lamp still gives 50% of its light quantity. This means that many dimmers that are now used for halogen lamps are difficult to fully dim LED lamps.

LED lamp: electrical properties and dimmers

The electronics in an LED lamp base have different electrical properties than an incandescent lamp or halogen lamp. A dimmer must clearly take this into account. In the base of an LED lamp is a (small) electronic transformer. The dimmer must be suitable for this. The packaging and the manual of such a dimmer usually state that it is suitable for electronic transformers. Also, the designation (R, L) is used or the term phase to undercut. Use in this case, the other dimmer (R, C - phase off cutting) then the lamps and/or the dimmer can zoom strong, or flashing lights, vibration or broken. Unfortunately, these dimmers are not the cheapest.

Technique of dimmers

For those interested in the technology behind these dimmers. We have two types of electronic dimmers: the phase cut-off dimmer (leading edge - R, L) and the phase cut-off dimmer (trailing edge - R, C).

Leading edge dimmer (phase cut)

On the rising voltage of the 230 V / 50 Hz, a pulse is given every time, which ensures that an electronic component passes the current. This component shuts off the power supply when the 230V / 50Hz goes through zero. By shifting the point in time when the pulse is given, longer or shorter current can flow through the component and thus be passed on to the load (lamp, heater, transformer).
These dimmers contain either a so-called Triac or a number of  MOSFET transistors.
The dimmers with a Triac have been around for a long time. They can be made for € 3 of electronic components. The disadvantage is that a Triac only works properly if a minimum load is connected, as indicated above. Nowadays, with more and more LED lights, phase-cutting dimmers have been introduced based on MOSFET transistors. This circuit is much more complex and the cost of the parts is also much higher than with the Triac variants. But the advantage is that the problems as with the Triac dimmers do not occur. These dimmers are therefore also suitable for dimmable LED lamps. An example of such a dimmer is the Busch Jaeger 6523U dimmer.

Trailing edge dimmer (cut-off)

LED Phase Cut-off DimmerThis is the new (and more expensive) type of dimmer. For the technicians: the rising voltage of the 230 V / 50 Hz is simply allowed through, at a certain time after the zero crossing the current through the electronics is cut off. This happens much less quickly than starting up with the leading edge dimmers. As a result, the electronic transformers are less bothered by this and it is also better for the life of directly connected lamps.
This type of dimmer is excellent for LED lights, incandescent lamps, halogen lamps and the electronic transformers that you see a lot nowadays (so also to dim 12V LED lamps) and not suitable for traditionally wound transformers.
If in doubt about your dimmer, contact us via our  Live Chat, Facebook, and Twitter, you will always receive an answer to your question within 2 hours! You can also reach us by telephone on the telephone number: 084-8771140 and by e-mail via  info@ledshop-groenovatie.com

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