Dimmer Switch For Led Bulbs

[flobadob]

I bought a dimmer switch that was meant to be compatible with LED bulbs, but when I fitted it, it didn't work properly. It basically worked as an on/off switch, but has no dimming effect on the bulbs.

Are there dimmer switches that can be used with LED bulbs, or do you have to buy LED bulbs that are made to be dimmable?

[gingejbee]

You do have to have LED lamps that are labelled "dimmable".

[Fitzer]

Your LEDs have to be capable of being dimmed, they normally state if they are.

[klazomaniac]

As stated above, The lamps (bulbs) must be dimable.

But I suspect that the dimmer switch you have purchased is out of range on the wattage.

A lot of dimmer switches are capable of switching between 40- 250W

It is very possible that your LED lamp will only be a few Watts (W) Therefore putting it out of range.

Usual thing that happens when the lamp is out of range of the dimmer is that it flickers when not on full power. So will only function as an on off switch.

You will need to check the ratings of the lamps in wattage. if only 1x lamp at 4W that = 4W

2 Lamps @4W = 8W and so on

then check the range of your switch (bearing in mind they both must be dimmer compatable.

[The Builder]

Backing up Klazomaniac's post.
Have a look here for an example..........

https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-1-gang-2-way-led-dimmer-switch-white/273cc

Click on "specification" and look for "min. dimmable load LED"

[ZebuSanctuary]

flobadob;

Couple of things to try before rushing off to purchase new LEDs.

1. Ensure Dimmer Switch (DS) module is set to 'Trailing Edge' (TE).

More and more DSMs are being manufactured with the option to toggle between TE and Leading Edge (LE). My DSM for example, the round button on the DSM has to be pressed on/off 5 times in succession to toggle it between TE and LE. Check specification sheet that came with DSM.

2. Try and ascertain from your current LEDs their wattage rating.
Should look like this as shown below;

Example: "LED GLS Bulb 5.9 W(60W)"

Note (60W) is the equivalent brightness of an incandescent type of bulb i.e., the old 60 Watt Tungsten filament. Extremely inefficient, since less than 5% of the energy was emitted as light whilst the other 95% was given off as heat. And boy o boy did they get hot!

Also the 5.9W is the actual power consumed.

Typically TE DSMs work with a minimum load of 5 to 10 Watts. So if your DSM has a minimum load rating of 10 Watts, from the Example bulb I have shown above, you would need 2 functioning LED bulbs (11.8W total power consumed) in the DSM lighting circuit to provide the efficacy of controlled dimming.

Hope this helps.

[flobadob]

Thanks for the answers. I just checked the box that the bulbs came in, and yeah it does say non dimmable on there, but it took me a right while to find it on there, it wasn't very obvious.

I just thought that maybe the switches were able to make any led bulb dimmable.