LED Bulb with trad dimmer switch

Poppy9

I have no interest in replacing dimmer switch at moment I just need a new light bulb. If I buy a LED light bulb will it work - I know it won't dim but it doesn't actually say on web if it's safe and if it will work.

Thanks

brightontraveller

Poppy9 wrote: »

I have no interest in replacing dimmer switch at moment I just need a new light bulb. If I buy a LED light bulb will it work - I know it won't dim but it doesn't actually say on web if it's safe and if it will work.

Thanks

It may will light up but may flash , strobe flicker may blow dimmer, lamp so in a sense it will “work” just maybe not in a way you want

jordanjim

You can get dimmable LED lamps. They're more expensive, but will work if you get a decent brand. The cheaper ones aren't worth bothering with. They will still sometimes flicker, especially on a dimmed setting, and may give off a slight glow even when the switch is off (very annoying in a dark bedroom!)

stator

Just replace the lightswitch. They cost £1 from Toolstation.
Dimmable LEDs are available but sometimes expensive, sometimes not

Ectophile

I'm quite impressed with the Philips dimmable LEDs that I bought recently.

They are claimed to be as bright as a 60W lamp, but the one in my dining room is definitely brighter than the old 60W lamp it replaced.

However, when used on the dimmer, it does flicker just once in a while for no apparent reason.

brightontraveller

jordanjim wrote: »

You can get dimmable LED lamps. They're more expensive, but will work if you get a decent brand. The cheaper ones aren't worth bothering with. They will still sometimes flicker, especially on a dimmed setting, and may give off a slight glow even when the switch is off (very annoying in a dark bedroom!)

There are lots of compatibility problems with dimmers and dimmable leds so just buying lamps irrespective of there retail price is not a wise move…. You need to match dimmer with lamps but its never what joe public wants too hear so they don’t…. OP hasn't mentioned what existing voltage is e.g. mains/ low, Cap fitting gu10, bayonet , E27 etc all makes a big difference but if there too tight to buy a new dimmer or change to normal switch all I can say is good luck....

Grenage

Our new place had a lot of nice dimmers, and an awful lot of incandescent bulbs. I replaced the dimmer modules with Varilight V-pro modules (to keep the old dimmer plates), and the bulbs with these.

Not quite as pretty as the old incandescents, but not bad.

If you don't want the outlay of an LED dimmer, I'd just replace the it with a standard wall switch.

Poppy9

brightontraveller wrote: »

There are lots of compatibility problems with dimmers and dimmable leds so just buying lamps irrespective of there retail price is not a wise move…. You need to match dimmer with lamps but its never what joe public wants too hear so they don’t…. OP hasn't mentioned what existing voltage is e.g. mains/ low, Cap fitting gu10, bayonet , E27 etc all makes a big difference but if there too tight to buy a new dimmer or change to normal switch all I can say is good luck....

It's not about being tight, it just means I have to get an electrician in to do it which aside from cost means waiting. As it's only a bedroom light I will probably replace it with same bulb which is a Phillips low watt dimmable (bayonet fitting). I have just replaced nearly every other light bulb in my home with LED so wondered if I could do the same here. It's the only room in the house that's has a dimmer switch!

casper_g

Replacing a dimmer with a switch or another dimmer without moving the back-box should be very DIY-able for most people. I certainly wouldn't ask an electrician to do it. If you can wire a plug, you can do this. Just make sure you isolate the power first.

Poppy9

casper_g wrote: »

Replacing a dimmer with a switch or another dimmer without moving the back-box should be very DIY-able for most people. I certainly wouldn't ask an electrician to do it. If you can wire a plug, you can do this. Just make sure you isolate the power first.

I have done so in the past but health issues at the moment mean I can't so I will have to pay someone to do as I wouldn't dream of imposing and asking family or friend to do.

Hence at this point I just want to put in a new bulb!

brightontraveller

Poppy9 wrote: »

I have done so in the past but health issues at the moment mean I can't so I will have to pay someone to do as I wouldn't dream of imposing and asking family or friend to do.

Hence at this point I just want to put in a new bulb!

Because you do not wish to wait or occur any costs are irrelevant in respect of lamp and dimmer working or being safe to use, Attempting to use existing materials for a product they where not designed for is foolish the dimmer was designed for incandescent lamps not LED lamps.

You require something that doesn’t exist an LED lamp that will be guaranteed to work safely/correctly with a likely incompatible product so either trail and error,wait and spend. Unfortunately if you wish /have to pay someone to replace switch then likely you will not get back the outlay is savings against energy for decades if ever.
Understandably not what you wish to here but a reality none the less
so probably better just to keep existing lamp

If you go dimmer replacement the Varilight Vpro series are pretty compatible with nearly all LED on the market today (quite future proof also) You'd need to decide which "color" your require from LED lamps e.g. warm, cool day light etc most domestic nearest to old fashioned incandescent is warm white 2000k - 3000k