Man using LED dimmer switchLED Bulbs have become a standard in the lighting industry for their various advantages over other traditional lighting products. Unlike traditional inscadescent bulbs, LED lights are more energy efficient and long-lasting with 50,000 hours of light as opposed to an incandescents 1,000 hours.

According to the U.S department of energy, LED lights can help you improve energy savings by up to 90%, depending on the brand and product you choose for your home lighting system. Research shows that incandescent bulbs use 90% of the electricity to produce heat and 10% to produce light. The heat produced by incandescent bulbs can affect an indoor space and cause your HVAC system to work harder to maintain an optimal temperature in your home. Therefore, LED lights are an ideal option for homeowners, commercial property owners, and businesses to reduce heat and save more money on energy bills.

The best thing about LED products is that you can adjust the light based on your needs. However, not all LED lights are dimmable, meaning you will need a dimmer or switch to adjust the light throughout the day.

An LED dimmer is a device that helps you control and LED light fixture’s dimming capabilities. If you are new to dimmable LED light fixtures, you may be wondering a few things. How does an LED dimmer work? What are the types of LED dimmers? What are the benefits? Let us answer these questions.

How Do LED Dimmers Work?

LED dimmers adjust your home lighting’s electrical current, controlling and maintaining their brightness based on your requirements. An LED dimmer uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to switch the current "ON" and "OFF" and create a dimming effect.

Phase-cutting dimmers are the most common LED dimmers. A Phase-cutting LED dimmer switches the alternating current (AC) mains supply to the LED light "ON and "OFF" at least two times in every cycle. The purpose is to reduce the electrical energy flow to the lights, decreasing their output.

In addition, a leading-edge phase-cutting is an LED dimmer that focuses on the zero-crossing point to switch the current off. Remember, a longer off period is directly proportional to dimming the LED light in your home. On the other hand, a trailing edge is another type of dimmer that switches the current "ON."

It keeps the current "ON at the zero-crossing point and off in the mains cycle. It uses an isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) to switch the current "ON" and "OFF", depending on your needs. So, the longer the dimmer's off period, the dimmer the LED light.

What are the Benefits of LED Dimmers?

LED dimmers offer numerous advantages. First, it helps you save money on monthly energy bills, primarily if you use LED lights for an extended period. So we recommend installing these lights in your home, particularly:

  • Bedrooms
  • Kitchen
  • Living room
  • Bathrooms
  • Hallways

Another advantage of using an LED dimmer is adjusting your room's light and creating a pleasant and comfortable ambience. For example, if you have set up a projector to watch a movie on the big screen, but you don't want to switch "OFF" the LED lights or dim them accordingly, you can use the dimmer to adjust the light and enjoy the movie.

Moreover, a dimmer is an excellent way to increase the lifespan of your LED bulbs. For instance, when you dim the lights appropriately from time to time, you can increase their lifespan by up to four years. Therefore, you won't have to buy LED lights, bulbs, or fixtures frequently.

How To Choose the Best LED Dimmer?

Choosing the right LED dimmer is daunting, especially if you lack knowledge of these accessories. You must consider a few factors when shopping for an LED dimmer. First, you must ensure the dimmer is compatible with the LED lights you have installed in your home.

We suggest checking the specifications for the dimmer and light to see whether they are compatible. Some universal dimmers can work with any LED light, bulb, or fixture. On the other hand, others only work with specific bulbs and fixtures.

Load capacity is another factor to consider when shopping for an LED dimmer. For instance, choose a dimmer with maximum wattage lower than the combined wattage of LED lights. That way, you can reduce the risk of overloading and ensure optimal performance.

Moreover, choose a trailing-edge dimmer because it offers a much smoother dimming than a leading-edge dimmer. Besides, a trailing-edge dimmer is compatible with most LED brands and products.

Final Thoughts

An LED dimmer is a reliable device to improve energy efficiency and create a comfortable ambience in your room or home. However, not choosing a high-quality and compatible dimmer can supply larger current pulses into the LED driver, leading to damage.

Selecting a suitable product based on your LED light specifications can be difficult but you don’t have to make the decision alone. Shine Retrofits is a reputable brand that offers a wide range of dimmers for different LED lighting brands and products, allowing you to choose a dimmer that best fits your needs. If you still have questions about dimmers and would like some asstance, contact us today to speak to our highly knowledgeable staff of lighting professionals!