Led dimmer

Dimming of LedStore led luminaires

Led dimming is possible with almost all our products. Dimmable LED has been in our range since the beginning of 2010. Dimmable LED panels, LED strips, LED spots and LED bulbs are available in many different styles and dimmable. Led dimmer models can also be found in our range and we go through the different options here.

Our wall luminaires, such as Blade, Line and In-wall, cannot be dimmed, but around 95% of the range is dimmable. Technically speaking, dimming can usually be done either on the primary side (TRIAC dimming 230V, with traditional rotary wall dimmers) or on the secondary side (12VDC and 24VDC, usually dimmed with wireless dimmers).

The range also includes dimmable DC-DC transformers (mA-controllable), as well as DALI transformers for DALI control. In addition, transformers are available for push-dim dimmers. Among the dimmers in LedStore’s own range are our VaLO series of wireless dimmers and receivers. Wireless dimming technologies are RF-led dimmer or RF Zigbee-led dimmer for smart control.

TRIAC led dimmer for led spots and panels, Front side (230V) with traditional wired wall dimmer

The dimming of led spots (including spot sets) and panels is done from the primary side, with standard light dimmers (230V, rotatable led dimmer) available in hardware stores. When designing a dimming system, it is a good idea to check the luminaire models with which the dimming will work (see table below). Also led strips can be dimmed from the first side, as long as you choose a dimmable transformer. LedStore’s led strip is always a so-called “dimmable”. dimmable led. For example, the TRIAC transformer is suitable for use with multiple rotatable LED dimmers. We also have 1-10V dimming transformers available for LED strips and on request also for spots and panels.

We currently recommend the following ABB and Schneider wired wall models for dimming spots and panels:

• Schneider Exxact led dimmer RC (replaced model with electricity number 2622161) (max. 370W), electricity number 2622144
• Schneider Exxact Led dimmer SBD200LED (short name), with electricity number 2622225
• ABB Led dimmer 6523 RL+RC, with electricity number 2619377, Impressivo-style bezel ordered separately.
  • set to RC for dimming spots and to RL for other spots (panels, strips, bulbs)
• ABB 6513 RC led light controller with Impressivo frame, electricity number 2619327

Often the dimmer for LED lights contains a dimming level control screw under the cover, which can be used to limit the power to influence the perceived buzz or buzzing of the LED dimmer and the minimum light level.

Our VaLO series wireless receiver + button led dimmer combination, dims led spots and panels from the 230V side (receiver between mains power and luminaire transformer). The receiver is available for both 100 W and 400 W loads. There are different types of buttons. With a wireless dimmer, the LED light dims to almost nothing.

Zigbee led dimmer for the primary side is available in 250W model.

The advantage of wireless dimmers is that even in renovation projects, an old on/off switch can be replaced with a new one, without having to make any electrical connections to the circuit breaker. The control buttons are battery operated and the switch can be glued or screwed in place. For example, you can light the front of a wardrobe by simply connecting the power to the lamps and then controlling the lighting wirelessly, without requiring any major modifications.

LED strip dimming from the secondary side (12V or 24V)

Secondary LED dimming is most often used with LED strips. This is often acquired after the event. A receiver is installed between the LED strip and the transformer to control the power between the strip and the transformer (power supply). In this case, there is no need to buy a dimmable transformer, as the adjustment directly controls the lighting level of the strip. The VaLO ZIGBEE series has two receivers for different uses, and three different switch buttons to choose from for the LED strip.

If you don’t want two separate boxes (transformer + receiver), it makes sense to get a direct converter with built-in LED dimming on the secondary side. There are several of these in the range.

VaLO RF product family or VaLO Zigbee product family. The range includes dimmable 24V led transformers from 30-200W.

DID YOU KNOW! It is also possible to control Zigbee receivers/transformers e.g. on your phone when you get a Philips HUE bridge.

The contact dimmer in our range is also a secondary dimmer, i.e. it is installed between the strip and the transformer. So when you change the current after the transformer, the transformer doesn’t have to be dimmable, it’s enough that the LED strip is (all our strips are dimmable).

Dimming of Led bulbs (not led tubes)

Our LED bulbs are mostly dimmable, but the dimming result depends on which LED dimmer is used. Below is a list of the dimmers tested. Some dimmers require a minimum load of 36W to work well. At lower loads you may experience problems such as buzzing (dimmer, bulbs or both), jumps in dimming level, etc. The most important thing to check is that the packaging says “dimmable led”.

Wireless dimmers are the best way to dim bulbs. If you’ve come across another model that works well with small load dimming, we’d be very interested to hear about it!

Led dimming techniques

DALI led dimmers (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface)

Digital dimming technology with a 2-pole low voltage wire between DALI devices. This wire carries information about the status of the luminaire within the DALI network and gives the command to the DALI control panel. So when cabling is done, usually 5×1,5mm3 MMJ cable is used with 3 for mains power and 2 for control wires. The older DT6 only supports dimming, the newer DT8 also supports CCT and RGBW control

TRIAC led dimmer

An old dimming technique where the sine wave is cut rapidly either at the leading or trailing edge of the wave. Therefore, a dimmable LED always contains a transformer with a leading or trailing edge. The dimmer must operate on the same cycle, otherwise the LED will not dim or it will blink. The Triac led dimmer can be retrofitted in place of any one-piece switch.

Pushbutton dimming PUSHDIM

The push-button dimmer works by sending the PUSHDIM receiver information about dimming when the push-button is held down. You can use any conventional 230V pushbutton switch by putting a small spring behind the button. The pushbutton switch itself does not do anything, but requires a PUSHDIM transformer or receiver to control the device. A PUSHDIM transformer is usually a TRIAC dimming led transformer that receives the dimming command by holding down the button and these transformers are marked PUSHDIM.

Another way is to use a PUSHDIM receiver and put one in the junction box behind the switch. These are available in our RF and ZIGBEE product range. The PUSHDIM can be 230V control voltage or just two dumb wires without current. Always check the correct voltage.

Zigbee led dimming

A wireless system operating wirelessly at 2.4Mhz where each Zigbee device makes a MESH network of its own. Wireless data passes between each device, confirming it and telling you the current status. Can be retrofitted to any location. The most popular system and best known manufacturer is Philips HUE.

RF led dimming

The VaLO RF product family is a 863Mhz single-fold system where information is transmitted by a wireless button to a receiver/transformer. The system is not bidirectional, so it does not know if the command has been received. Inexpensive and simple to use. Can be retrofitted to any location.

LED dimmer table, dimmers tested with LedStore luminaires:

You can also download the full table here.

LedStore blog posts on led dimmer

In January 2018, we wrote about dimming, the need for dimming and VaLO wireless dimming.

A blog post from March 2018 has more technical information about the wired dimming of LedStore luminaires with ABB and Schneider dimmers.