What type of dimmer switch to use

A dimmer is used to adjust the level of brightness in any room, which can create a wide range of lighting moods. Dimmers can create more accommodating lighting and help you save energy and extend the life of your light bulbs. The below guide will breakdown the various types of dimmers available, and help you better understand your dimmer needs.

Each specific bulb type comes with its individual characteristics, which require a specific type of dimmer. It is very important to select the dimmer designed for the specific type of bulb. Most dimmers fall into these four bulb type categories:. When selecting a dimmer for an energy-efficient lights Compact Fluorescent and LED light bulbs , you will first want to make sure that the lights themselves are capable of dimming. Shaver Sockets. Floor Sockets Euromod Floor Socket.

USB Floor Sockets. Blanking Plates Single Blanking Plates. Double Blanking Plates. Euro Module Faceplates. Euro Modules. Brushed Brass Grid Modules. Antique Brass Grid Modules. White Grid Modules. Polished Chrome Grid Modules. Black Nickel Grid Modules. Brushed Brass Grid Plates. Antique Brass Grid Plates. White Plastic Grid Plates. Polished Chrome Grid Plates.

White Metal Grid Plates. Black Nickel Grid Plates. By Type. Fixed LED Downlights. Tiltable LED Downlights. Square Downlights. GU10 Downlights. By IP Rating. IP65 Downlights. IP44 Downlights. Polished Chrome Downlights. White Downlights. Gold Downlights. Rose Gold Downlights. Copper Downlights. Bronze Downlights. Grey Downlights. Shabby Chic Lighting. Caged Pendant Lights. Dome Pendant Lights. Art Deco Pendant Lights. Schoolhouse Pendant Lights. By Colour.

Select products that work with remote systems such as Homelink, which let you adjust lights in your home using controls built into your vehicle. Some automated lighting controls such as occupancy sensors also include dimmer switch functions. These products include switches that work with both line- and low-voltage light fixtures.

Before installing a new dimmer, always check that its voltage rating matches the existing lighting circuit. Quality dimmer switches include a wattage rating. Consult a professional electrician if you plan to install more than one dimmer in a single wall box, since this may reduce their effective wattage rating. Dimmers all perform the same function, altering the illumination produced by the attached fixtures, but there are many types of dimmer switch controls.

Adding dimmer switch functions to an existing lighting system is a simple project that almost any DIY homeowner with a few basic tools can handle. Many of these products fit standard electrical boxes and are straightforward plug-and-play replacements for traditional light switches. As always, observe proper safety precautions when working with electrical systems. Turn power OFF at the main breaker and consult a professional electrician if needed.

Dimmer switches offer excellent control over the lighting systems in your home, making it easy to achieve a particular mood. There are many kinds of dimmers available, including products with sophisticated features such as remotes, faders and fan switches.

Put your new understanding of dimmer switch functions and features to good use and add these versatile lighting controls to your home. While many light bulbs are compatible with dimmer switch functions, some require specific types of dimmers.

What has the uplighter part got to do with it? It could depend upon the type of light bulbs that are installed in the fitting? If the lightbulbs are 12V, such as MR16 spotlight, or G4 capsules, then the fitting will have a 12V transformer built in. This transformer may not be dimmer compatible. Consult with your electrician when he installs the fittings as he should be best placed to advise on this.

I have a normal light switch with normal non-dimmable bulbs , 4 of them. They flicker permanently. I noticed that the transformer is a dimmer transformer — would this be the reason? Do i need to change the transformer? Has there been any research into this topic? What a lovely explanatory article! Leading and trailing edge dimmers? Never heard of this one before! But would i have to unscrew my switches from the back box to do this? That only leaves a fault in the fixture as the reason.

Hi i have bought a dimmer which says Tungsten Filament lamps. Single w dimmer w My ceiling lights holds 5 bulbs. What watts should each bulb be? So your dimmer is states that it is rated to work with combined total power of between 60W and W. If you are using 5x 40W bulbs then that equals W — so your dimmer should be fine.

I am hoping to add a dimmer onto a photography softbox light that has a 85W, K, V, Hz bulb. Also a dimmer for a by volt, Hz, 45W 0.