Philips LED Dimming Information

GUIDE TO DIMMING LED

Choosing the right LED lighting can make a huge difference to the look and feel of a room. Dimmable lights allow you to find the perfect brightness and colour temperature for the mood you want to set. However not all LED Lighting is dimmable so choosing the right bulb is the first step. All LED light bulbs should be clearly marked on the manufacturers website as well as the packaging of the product. If you’re not sure where to start with dimmable LED lighting, the following guide will provide some answers.

If you’re not sure where to start with dimmable LED lighting, the following guide will provide some answers. If you need any further help, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly experts today

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DIMMER SWITCH

There are two types of dimmer switch: leading-edge and trailing-edge dimmers. Some retrofit LED light bulbs and fittings have drivers that allow them to work with either type of dimmer switch. For up to date LED’s we recommend using a trailing-edge dimmer.

This is because leading edge dimmers require a higher minimum load (higher wattage). Today LED technology has advanced to lower the wattage of the bulbs to save energy thus meaning they are unlikely to work on a leading edge dimmer.

WHAT GANG DO I NEED?

If you have more than one type of light fitting in your rooms then you may need a dimmer switch with 2 gangs or more. This allows you to have control of multiple fittings from the same dimmer switch panel.

For example you will need a 2 gang for a kitchen with dimmable ceiling spotlights as well as dimmable pendant lighting over an island. One switch could independently dim the spotlights while the other switch will dim the pendants. If you are using a dimmer switch with 2 gangs or more make sure all the light bulbs in the fittings are dimmable to avoid any faults or flickering.

WHAT ARE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM LOADS?

Dimmer switches require a minimum electrical load that must be adhered to for both the dimmer switch and bulb to operate smoothly without any problems such as flickering. For example a dimmer switch with a minimum load of 20 watts must have bulbs that total on or above 20 watts when fitted together in order for the system to operate. Anything totalling lower than 20 watts may experience a flickering, stuttering dim or not dim at all.

The maximum load is the opposite. The total wattage must not exceed the stated total on the bulbs and fittings to operate. If you are using LED’s on your dimmer then the maximum load may need to be calculated in order to no exceed it.

To calculate a maximum load for LED dimmers you divide the stated maximum load by 10. For example a 500 watt dimmer switch should have no more than 50 watts of LED bulbs connected to it, which would work out as ten 5W bulbs.