Can I use a LED dimmer with incandescent bulbs?

Can I use a LED dimmer with incandescent bulbs?

Incandescent/Halogen bulbs. They are not designed to control LED and CFL bulbs nor dimmable LED and CFL bulbs and using them to do so may result in inconsistent or limited performance.

What is the correct dimmer for LED lights?

LED bulbs have a low wattage, so you’ll need to have a dimmer that is 250W or 400W and ideally intelligent trailing edge, for smooth dimming. See our full range of LED suitable trailing edge dimmer switches.

What wattage dimmer switch do I need for LED lights?

Generally speaking, you will be looking for either 600 watt max load or 1000 watt. When choosing dimmers for dimmable LEDs or CFLs, you should not load a dimmer higher than approximately 25% of the rated load for the dimmer.

What is the difference between LED dimmer and incandescent dimmer?

The main difference is that you have a smaller dimming range (typically 70-90% range vs. 100% with incandescent or halogen). LED Bulbs may not shut off at the lowest dim setting like traditional bulbs. This happens because the dimmer thinks the bulb is completely off due to the low amount of wattage the LED consumes.

Can you use a regular dimmer switch on 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.

Can you use a regular dimmer on LED lights?

Can dimmers damage LED lights?

Since dimming, either by reducing current or by pulse width modulation, results in lower overall junction temperatures, it will have no negative impact on LED life; it might even extend life.

What happens if you dim a non dimmable LED?

So what happens if you use non-dimmable LEDs on a dimmer? Well, at best the bulb just won’t dim properly. At worst, though, you might damage the bulb. You see, dimmable LEDs have special circuitry inside that allows them to respond to varying current levels or “pulsing” current waves to produce a dimming effect.