Leading/Trailing Dimmer Switch

wildcat21

Hi. 

I understand the difference, but don't know how to tell which one I've got. 

Can anybody help.

Thanks very much.

Ectophile

There's no way you will tell by looking at the front of it.  If you turn the power off and look at the back, then Google the make and model, that might help.

If it's a cheap no-name one, assume it's leading edge.

bob_a_builder

Put in a LED bulb in the controlled socket 
How does it dim ?  - Smoothly  (trailing) or are there jumps and flickers   (Leading)

casper_gutman

bob_a_builder said:

Put in a LED bulb in the controlled socket 
How does it dim ?  - Smoothly  (trailing) or are there jumps and flickers   (Leading)

That was my thought. Usually people care whether a dimmer is leading or trailing edge because they want to use it with dimmable LEDs. If I already had the dimmer installed, I'd probably just try it with the bulb. If it works, great! If not, replace the switch (or get someone competent to do it if you aren't!). Decent quality trailing edge dimmers are widely available and not all that expensive nowadays, but if the existing one works then so much the better.

wildcat21

Thanks. I'll give it a go