Guide to Choosing LED Dimmers

Dimming LED lighting can sometimes be more challenging than expected. Think of flickering lights, buzzing dimmers, humming fixtures, or limited dimming capability. The cause is often an incorrectly chosen dimmer or a non-dimmable lamp.

In this blog, we explain what to look out for when dimming LED lamps so that you can get started well-prepared. Note: Magnetic 48V track lighting cannot be dimmed with a standard LED dimmer.

1. Is your lighting dimmable?

Not all LED lamps are dimmable. You can recognize this by a symbol or text on the packaging.

• Dimmable LED lamps: Work with the correct LED dimmer.
• Non-dimmable LED lamps: Flicker or get damaged when you try to dim them.

When in doubt, it is always wise to choose a lamp that explicitly states it is dimmable.

2. Does your lamp operate on 12V or 230V?

LED lamps operate at different voltages.

230V LED lamps (directly connected to mains power)

These can be easily dimmed with a suitable LED dimmer. Common types include:

• E27 (large socket)
• E14 (small socket)
• GU10 (most commonly used track spotlight)

12V LED lamps (with a transformer)

For example, G4, MR16, or MR11. For these lamps, the transformer (driver) plays a crucial role.

• Halogen transformers (30-500W ballast) often do not work with LED because LED lamps consume too little power.
• A special LED transformer is required for dimmable 12V LED lamps.

A standard halogen dimmer is not suitable for LED lighting.

3. What type of LED dimmer do you need?

Many dimming issues arise due to using the wrong type of dimmer.

Why doesn’t a standard halogen dimmer work well with LED?

Halogen dimmers often have a minimum power requirement of 40-60W, while LED lamps typically consume less than 10W. This leads to flickering or non-dimming lamps.

A LED dimmer is essential

• LED dimmers are optimized for low power, such as 0-150W or 0-450W.
• They are compatible with modern dimmable LED lamps.

4. Leading-edge vs. trailing-edge dimming – which dimmer type do you need?

LED dimmers work with two dimming techniques.

If the dimming technique is not specified on the lamp, trailing-edge dimming is the best choice as it works with most LED lamps.

5. Special attention for track lighting and 48V magnetic tracks

Dimmable track lighting (230V – GU10 spotlights)

• Use a dimmable LED GU10 lamp in combination with a suitable LED dimmer.
• Ensure the total load remains within the dimmer’s rated capacity.

48V magnetic track lighting – important note

Magnetic track lighting operates on low voltage (48V) and requires a special driver. This means:

• Not dimmable with a standard LED dimmer.
• A driver with an integrated dimming function is required, such as DALI, Zigbee, or 0-10V.

When in doubt, always check the specifications of the driver.

6. Load capacity and the importance of a stable power draw

If LED lamps continue to flicker despite a good dimmer, it may be due to too low a connected power load or a mix of different lamp types.

• Check the dimmer’s minimum load. A dimmer with 5-100W capacity may not work well if only a single 3W lamp is connected.
• Use only the same type of lamps on one dimmer. Do not mix LED with halogen and do not combine different wattages.

7. What to do if the lights flicker or buzz?

Common issues and solutions.

A dim stabilizer can help with flickering lights.

8. Cover plates: Does your dimmer fit into existing switches?

Not all dimmers fit directly into existing switch materials. It is therefore important to check whether your dimmer is compatible with well-known brands such as Jung, Busch-Jaeger, Gira, Berker, and Peha.

Some dimmers, such as EcoDim, are compatible with most brands.

Checklist: How to choose the right LED dimmer

• Check whether the LED lamp is dimmable.
• Verify if the lamp operates on 12V or 230V. A LED driver is required for 12V lamps.
• Choose a LED-specific dimmer, not a halogen dimmer.
• Use trailing-edge (RC) dimming for most LED lamps.
• For 48V magnetic tracks, a driver with an integrated dimming function is required.
• Check the dimmer’s minimum load requirement.
• Only combine lamps of the same type and wattage for stable dimming.

Conclusion: Which LED dimmer is right for your lighting?

The right dimmer prevents issues like flickering, buzzing, and limited dimming capability.

• For 230V LED lamps, a LED-specific trailing-edge dimmer (RC) is the best choice.
• For 12V LED lamps, a dimmable LED driver is required.
• For 48V magnetic tracks, a driver with an integrated dimming function is necessary.

Do you have any questions? Contact us, and we will be happy to assist you.

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