Common Uses For Trailing Edge Dimmers: They are often used to dim electronic low voltage transformers (ELV) with capacitive loads on the primary circuit. Additionally, trailing edge dimmers can effectively dim incandescent, halogen, and LED lamps

Intelligent Features: Best models feature soft-start and overload protection, which helps improve the lifespan of both lamps and the dimmer switch. These ‘intelligent dimmers’ can protect themselves from failure by turning down or off the lights when too many lights or transformers are mistakenly connected. As an example, four 5w LED lamps in a compact room will only total 20w, while a 250w dimmer switch requires a minimum load of 25w. In this case, the dimmer switch simply won’t operate. Therefore, a low-load dimmer switch rated at 5 – 50w would be more suitable in such circumstances.If you already have a smart home, or you’re in the process of setting one up, this smart dimmer switch from Kasa will make an excellent addition. Installation is simplified by detailed interactive instructions in the Kasa app, it works with several smart home ecosystems, and it connects directly to your wireless network so you don’t need to worry about buying and setting up a separate hub. Leading edge dimmers are the most commonly used to dim incandescent and mains voltage halogen light bulbs and capsules. They are also used to dim most electronic low voltage transformers, including wire-wound or toroidal transformers and can also be used to dim constant current dimmable LED drivers under certain circumstances that will be explained later. Adding a dimmer switch to a lighting setup, or replacing an old one with a newer model, can transform the look and feel of a room. “Dimmers are most useful in areas where you want to create ambiances, such as social areas, bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms,” says Freddy Sampayo, chief technology officer of Schaller Tech. “It's also useful to think about spaces where you'd be annoyed to turn on the light when waking up groggily in the middle of the night.” Leading edge dimmers are compatible with resistive or inductive loads and are able to reduce the load by shortening the A/C cycle at the leading edge of the input waveform, hence the term ‘Leading Edge’. The best of these are marketed as ‘intelligent dimmers’ and feature soft-start and overload protection to improve the life span of both the lamps and the dimmer. If you mistakenly connect too many lights or transformers to an intelligent dimmer it will protect itself from failure by turning the lights down or off until the load is corrected.

By adding additional Leviton Decora Smart Dimmer Companion switches, you can set up virtual 3-way, 4-way, or even 5-way control over your lights. The primary switch has to be wired to the lights like a traditional dimmer, but the companion switch can be placed anywhere and doesn’t need to be connected to the main switch by physical wires. The connection is achieved wirelessly through your Wi-Fi network, so you do need to have Wi-Fi to use this kit. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, so you can also use it to operate and dim your lights through an app on your phone or voice commands. They are commonly used to dim most electronic low voltage transformers (ELV) with capacitive loads on the primary circuit. Trailing edge dimmers can also be used to dim incandescent, halogen and LED lamps effectively. They should not be used on older type of magnetic core and coil wire-wound or toroidal transformers. All dimmers are rated by wattage and leading edge dimmers are no exception. They are commonly available in 250w, 400w, 600w and 1000w modules. It is important to note that they also have a minimum load requirement of 25w, 40w, 100w and 150w respectively. On the other hand, mains voltage dimmable LED light bulbs and LED light fittings can be comfortably controlled using standard resistive dimmer switches. LED lamps are particularly appealing due to their low energy consumption and high energy efficiency.The Kasa app works with both Android and iPhone, and it allows you to operate the switch remotely as long as you have internet access, so you technically don’t even need anything but this switch and your phone to get started. It does work with both Alexa and Google Home though, so you can operate the switch with voice commands if you have a compatible smart speaker. Smart home integration also lets you include the switch in daily routines, like turning the lights on or adjusting the illumination level at dusk. The SureSlide from Leviton is a slide dimmer first and a light switch second, which is why it’s our favorite slide dimmer switch. Dimming is provided by a large sliding bar that’s easy to operate. It also includes a toggle switch, so you can set your desired dimming level, turn the lights off, and then return directly to your chosen illumination setting the next time you turn the lights on. It works with a variety of bulb types, including compact fluorescent, LED, and incandescent, and you can also install it in both single-pole and 3-way configurations. Compatibility: Works with resistive or capacitive loads by reducing the load by shortening the A/C cycle at the input waveform’s trailing edge. Dimmers work by simply reducing the voltage supplied to the lamp, which in turn reduces the light output from the light bulb. There are many types of light bulbs and capsule lamps that can be dimmed but the requirements for each type can vary. If you select the wrong type of dimmer it may not work, could lead to reduced lamp life or even blow the dimmer or light fitting in extreme circumstances. Benefits Of Using Dimmer Switches In Your Home Reduced Eye Strain: By enabling you to tailor the light level, dimming lights can help minimise eye fatigue, especially during prolonged periods of close-up tasks such as reading or crafting.

Dimmers aren’t all about setting the mood though, and Sampayo says installing them in your home can save you money, too. “Practically speaking, the human eye can't distinguish between 90 percent and 100 percent light brightness, but your energy bill can,” Sampayo advises. “Being conscious of energy consumption means you could set your lights to never exceed 90 percent, ensuring a 10 percent energy saving without compromising on brightness.” Tap: This type of dimmer uses a tap control to switch the lights on and off, and then another method to adjust the illumination. Dimmer switches allow you to adjust the brightness of light bulbs. They adjust the amount of voltage that reach the bulbs. So, for example, the more voltage the bulb receives, the brighter it will be. What to Know Before You Get Started These dimmers are designed to endure the rush of a current that transformers typically produce during operation, providing a stable and reliable dimming solution. To accomplish this, inductive dimmers are already over-rated, meaning they have a higher VA rating than the wattage of the connected load. This over-rating allows them to cope with the inrush current without compromising the performance or lifespan of the lighting scheme. Additionally, Sampayo points out that determining how many LED lights you can put on a single dimmer switch is a little complicated. “LEDs have a high current spike when switched on, and this varies among manufacturers. So, the rule is: Don't count the watts directly!” Instead, Sampayo recommends multiplying the total wattage of the LED bulbs by 7, adding a safety margin of 20 percent, and then selecting a switch that meets or exceeds those requirements.The voltage rating of a dimmer switch tells you where you can use it. For example, residential electrical voltage in the United States is 110 - 120VAC. That means you can use any 110 or 120V dimmer switch in your home. Improved Atmosphere: The ability to adjust lighting levels allows you to effortlessly create the perfect ambience for any occasion, from a lively dinner party to a peaceful evening reading session.

This article was written by Jeremy Laukkonen, a freelance writer for The Spruce. Laukkonen has more than a decade of experience writing about and reviewing consumer technology. He prefers smart light switches and bulbs, because who has time these days to operate the lights manually? His writing has also appeared in Digital Trends, Lifewire, and Entertainment Weekly. Due to the large variety and different applications of dimmer switches, we do not offer them for sale online. This ensures that you do not accidentally select the wrong dimmer for your application as this can cause expensive and irreversible damage to transformers or the dimmer itself. Read on for an overview of what to keep in mind when choosing the correct dimmer switch for your home. Varilight V-Pro 120W LED 1 Dimmer Switch Dimming low voltage LED lamps is easily accomplished with dimmer switches by either adjusting the driver on the primary (mains) side or on the secondary (low voltage) side. Of the two, primary side dimming is preferable and easier to achieve. However, it’s essential that the LED driver is of a constant current type and dimmable. ConclusionSmart home integration can provide you with a lot of options that aren’t available from a traditional dimmer switch. “Smart switches have gained popularity in the era of home automation,” says Brady. “They can be controlled remotely and integrated into smart home systems.” If that sounds interesting, then you may want to consider a smart dimmer. Brady cautions that it's important to pay special attention to compatibility, as smart dimmers are typically designed to work with smart home systems. With the phasing out of incandescent lamps, more and more fluorescent lamp manufacturers are making dimmable lamps available. They are at an advanced stage of development and although expensive at this time, it is anticipated that the price will reduce as they become more popular. Dimming LED Lamps Dimming fluorescent fittings is complex and can involve analogue or digital dimmers and a variety of different wiring schemes. These are expensive to install and are mainly used for commercial applications and are beyond the scope of this article. Despite their advantages, it’s relatively uncommon to find inductive dimmer switches in regular domestic settings. Using Dimmer Switches With Fluorescent Fittings Intelligent Features: Best models feature soft-start and overload protection, which prolongs the lifespan of both lamps and the dimmer switch. These ‘intelligent dimmers’ can protect themselves from failure by turning down or off the lights when too many lights or transformers are mistakenly connected.