What is the difference between leading edge and trailing edge dimmers?
Dimmer switches using leading edge technology cut off the front edge of the half cycle of each AC wave, whereas trailing edge dimmers cut off the second half of each half cycle.
Do I need a leading or trailing edge dimmer?
These more modern dimmers have many benefits over the leading edge type. These improvements include smoother dimming with less buzzing and interference. Trailing edge dimmers have a much lower minimum load than the leading edge, making them far more suitable for powering LEDs.
Is leading edge dimmer suitable for LED?
Leading edge dimmers are suitable for inductive load, for example magnetic low voltage transformers; and resistive loads like incandescent light bulbs. They are generally unsuitable for LED light bulbs.
What is leading edge dimmer switch?
Leading-edge dimmer switches are cheaper and simpler than trailing-edge, and were used originally to dim incandescent and halogen bulbs or wirewound magnetic transformers. They use a ‘TRIAC’ (Triode for Alternating Current) switch to control power, and are sometimes called TRIAC dimmers.
Do you need a special dimmer switch for LED?
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.
What dimmer switch do I need?
Choose a dimmer with a wattage rating that meets or exceeds the total wattage of all the light bulbs the dimmer will control. For example, if the dimmer controls a fixture with ten 75-watt bulbs, you need a dimmer rated for 750 watts or higher.
Are LED dimmers trailing edge?
Trailing edge, however, is the most popular dimmer with LED light sources, but as many LED lamps are designed for use in existing installations, manufacturers often meet the market with LED lamps that handle a leading edge dimmer.
What kind of dimmer switch works with LED lights?
Trailing edge dimmers work best with LED light bulbs and leading-edge dimmers work best with traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs.
What is the correct dimmer for LED lights?
Why do LED lights flicker on dimmer?
LED bulb flickering can be traced in almost every instance to a non-compatible dimmer switch in the lighting circuit. Modern dimmer switches create the dimming effect by switching the power supply on and off many times per second.
What is the difference between leading edge and trailing edge dimming?
Leading edge dimming cuts of the front edge of each waves’ half cycle. Conversely trailing edge dimming cuts out the second half of each waves’ half cycle. Trailing edge dimmers are now the more popular of the two types. They have several advantages over leading edge dimmers including smoother control, soft start and silent running
What are the benefits of a trailing edge dimmer switch?
This benefits the user with smooth, silent dimming control, absent of any buzzing noise. A trailing-edge dimmer has a lower minimum load (often 10W) than leading-edge dimmers, making it a better choice for dimming modestly sized low-powered lighting circuits.
What is a leading edge dimmer used for?
Leading edge dimmers are suitable for inductive load, for example magnetic low voltage transformers; and resistive loads like incandescent light bulbs. They are generally unsuitable for LED light bulbs.
Do Your dimmers work with LED’s?
Our range of LED dimmers are changeable between trailing edge and leading edge modes but are set to trailing edge mode by default. All reputable manufacturers will be able to offer assistance with dimming of LED’s and all will have a list of compatible dimmers switches that they have tested in conjunction with their LED bulbs.