Yes, LED lights require a special dimmer. An old fashioned incandescent dimmer switch will not work properly with LED bulbs. You cannot just simply lower the voltage to the LED driver.
Why do LED lights need a special dimmer switch?
With LED bulbs you cannot limit the power to the driver, because if you do, the bulb would flicker or just turn off. A dimmer for LED lights is specially designed to send power and control signals to each type of electronic LED driver.
What type of dimmer switch is needed for LED lights?
Trailing edge dimmers work best with LED light bulbs and leading-edge dimmers work best with traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs.
Do you need a special on off switch for LED lights?
While many LEDs today are dimmable LEDs (not all are) you should still use a special dimmer switch for LED lights in order to avoid some of the common problems associated with incompatible dimmers.
Can you put an LED light on a 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. I’ve done all the research, so you won’t have to.
Do all dimmers work with LED lights?
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 wattage LED dimmer switch do I need?
A rule of thumb commonly used to calculate a load for LED dimmers is to divide the stated maximum load by 10. For example a 400W dimmer switch should have no more than 40W of LED bulbs connected to it, which would equate to eight 5W bulbs.
Why do some dimmers not work with LEDs?
The downside is that LED bulbs are extremely low-wattage (they use up very little energy), which means leading edge dimmers can’t read or control their circuitry very well. Trailing edge dimmers, on the other hand, have a much lower wattage range and can read and control LED bulbs easily and effectively.
How do I know if my LED is dimmable?
#1 – If you bought a finished LED fixture or bulb, check to make sure the packaging specifically states that it is dimmable. This should be stated in the description or the technical specifications of the light.
Why do LED lights flicker on dimmer?
There are many reasons why an LED lamp can flicker, but the most common cause is a lack of resistance in the lamp to allow the dimmer curve to work correctly. This is not a new issue; it’s been around for a long time, but is becoming more “noticeable” with the major increase in LED usage.
Can I use a regular switch with LED lights?
The short answer to this question is: Yes, you can use dimmable LEDs without a dimmer switch, just like normal light bulbs. This is handy to know because many retailers are reducing the number of non-dimmable LED bulbs that they stock.
How do I choose a 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.
How do you wire a LED dimmer switch?
Quote from Youtube video: We can put the new dimmer switch on now when you go to buy your switch make sure you're getting the switch that's right for your project. This is actually a single pole or a 3-way pole compatible.
Can I install a dimmer switch on any light?
A dimmer switch can be installed anywhere that an existing on or off switch is in place. Replacing the current toggle switch with a dimmer switch will allow you to change the lights’ brightness, so long as you are using a light bulb that is compatible with the dimmer you have chosen.
What are the different types of dimmer switches?
There are different types of dimmer switches available these days, enabled with modern light dimmer circuit and dimmer switch wiring. Most types of dimmer switches use incandescent bulbs, dimmable compact fluorescent light bulbs, Magnetic Low Frequency and Electronic Low Frequent bulbs.
Do dimmer switches need special wiring?
New dimmers have either a green grounding wire or a green ground screw that you’ll have to connect to a grounding source if one is available. Houses wired with plastic-sheathed cable almost always have bare copper ground wires that you’ll connect to the toggle dimmer switch.
Why are my dimmable lights not dimming?
One of the most apparent reasons for dimmer switches not being able to dim all the way is the lack of compatibility between the dimmer and bulb you have used. There are dimmable bulbs and non-dimmable bulbs; if you were to use a non-dimmable bulb with a dimmer switch, it wouldn’t work out at all.
Why does my dimmer switch have 3 wires?
A 3-wire NM connects the travelers of the dimmer to the travelers of the 3-way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch.
