Can Led Lights Be Put On A Dimmer Switch

Some fixtures such as under cabinet and recessed lights may need special led dimmer switches for proper performance.

Can led lights be put on a dimmer switch.

Contrary to popular belief it is possible to put a dimmer switch on led lights without the help of a professional. Led light bulbs can be used in light fixtures controlled by dimmer switches but you may well find that traditional dimmers may not work or may work inadequately with some led bulbs. For example restaurants and hotels may want to set a certain ambiance using led lights on a dimmer. However you need to familiarize yourself with ways to safely install a dimmer switch to ensure that it adheres to the national electrical code requirements.

But in most cases the following effects may occur. New led fixtures can be so bright and efficient you have to take the lights down very low on the dimmer in order to get them to the right level. Now both leds and compact fluorescents cfls also have dimming options available. In rare cases this can even work.

So the first thing you ll want to do is make sure that you invest in dimmable led lights. Not all led lights are designed with dimming capabilities. For a led driver to work with a triac type dimming switch it needs to be an ac phase cut dimming type led driver. Also the dimmer switch must be one which is designed to control leds.

Unfortunately that is not the case and the same is true of dimmable fluorescent bulbs paired with fluorescent dimmers. When operating a non dimmable led on a dimmer many undesirable side effects can occur. That s often when we notice problems. Some led bulbs are designed for use with standard dimmer switches while others are not.

Check the box or product description first to make sure they re dimmable seen below. Most light fixtures including the traditional halogen and incandescent will work with a standard dimmer switch. Make sure you have dimmable led lights. Need a sarasota electrician to install led lights with a dimmer that s compatible.

A good rule of thumb to apply one that is used by most manufacturers is to take the maximum rating of the dimmer switch and divide by 10 or in other words use 10 of the max. We re here to help. One could be tempted to connect non dimmable led lamps to a dimmer anyway. So what happens if you use non dimmable leds on a dimmer.

The bottom line is compatibility. It takes a very specific fixture to be able to dim to your desire. Add up the total wattage of all the bulbs and if this is less than the limit for that dimmer then it should work. Brightness can t be controlled.

It s a common misconception that any led dimmer can be paired with any dimmable led light bulb.