Dimmer switch

JEN22

I have a dimmer switch for the lights in the lounge. The bulbs at the moment are not LED.
Can I just change the bulbs to LED or do I need a new dimmer switch?


Its a double dimmer switch

Chrishazle

Chances are you will also need to change the dimmer switch, and the cost of a double dimmer switch for LED's will make you weep!

Grenage

You'll almost certainly need a new dimmer; I use the Varilight V-pro modules.

JEN22

How will I know?

giraffe69

You will know if you stick an LED light in an perhaps it does not dim or buzzes loudly?

Ectophile

You will need dimmable LEDs. Check the packaging to see. Normal LEDs may flicker and even overheat and fail if run on a dimmer switch.


Once you have a dimmable LED, it's pot luck whether it will work well with any given dimmer.


I have a Philips lamp connected to whatever dimmer was fitted years ago before I bought the house. Apart from the occasional brief flicker (perhaps once an hour on average), it works fine.

Head_The_Ball

We recently changed a few multi bulb ceiling lights from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs.

We bought Varilight V-pro (trailing edge) dimmers (mentioned above) and LAP dimmable LED bulbs from Screwfix.

We chose Warm White bulbs rather than Cool White as the light quality is similar to the incandescent bulbs.

We are satisfied with the result.

OP, google and read up on the difference between leading edge and trailing edge dimmers. You almost certainly currently have a leading edge dimmer. They are suited to incandescent bulbs. Most LEDs require a trailing edge dimmer.

Varilight V-pro trailing edge dimmers are programmable so you can set maximum and minimum brightness levels to suit yourself.

VfM4meplse

Jumping on this thread because I would like to change my wall and ceiling lights in two rooms, and I have my eye on some second hand ones. I have dimmer switches for all light in both rooms.

RTQ #1 - can dinner switches be used with any ceiling light, or does the light fitting itself need to be "enabled" in some way?

RTQ #2 - looking at one of the lights, it appears that it uses halogen bulbs. I like the look of the light fittings, but am I right in thinking buying it would be more cost and hassle than it's worth?

Ectophile

If it's just a mains fitting with mains lamps, then a dimmer will work fine, provided that the lamps are dimmable (and all halogens are dimmable).



If the lamp takes 12V bulbs, then there's some kind of transformer or power supply inside. That won't be happy on a dimmer.


Halogen lamps are due to be phased out shortly. So if you really want halogens, stockpile them now.

JEN22

Can I just replace my normal bulbs for leds in the dimmer then please

JEN22

If I have to get a new dimmer is it just the faceplate that would need changing?