A short guide to dimming

We will be happy to help you when it comes to dimming your new lights. In the description of our products, you will find initial information on whether and how the model can be dimmed. Using the luminaire type and keywords such as phase dimming, DALI & Co., you can go into more detail about the requirements here and then pass them on to your electrical specialist, for example, for testing or purchasing a new control unit. You will find keywords in italics at the end of each section.

Luminaires with sockets

The bulbs in luminaires with E27 screw sockets, GU10 bayonet sockets etc. are interchangeable, so look out for information such as "dimmable", "dimmable" or corresponding symbols when purchasing LEDs. Caution: Dimmability is not yet standard for LEDs. Dimmable LED light sources are usually also a little more expensive.

Dimmable LED lamps are then dimmed via the normal three-wire connection cable. Put simply, the current-carrying conductor (the phase) is throttled. This is known as phase dimming. Here there is also a distinction between "cut-on" and "cut-off". With most LED lamps, the phase is cut off at the end, so a trailing edge phase dimmer will usually work. However, there are also universal dimmers that offer both dimming technologies. Keywords: Phase dimmer/universal dimmer for replaceable LED light sources

Luminaires with permanently installed LEDs

One advantage of LED technology is the small size of the modules. For example, many light points can be arranged on a circuit board that is only a few millimeters thick, resulting in very flat and uniform lighting. Such manufacturer-specific LED modules and LED strips usually require a power supply unit for power supply and these are often not dimmable as standard. The following scenarios are common:

LED luminaire not dimmable
This also still happens. For example, if it is a type of luminaire that is already available in various brightness levels and is intended for constant ambient lighting rather than as a decorative luminaire. If no further dimming options are mentioned here, we are not aware of this. But that doesn't mean that we can't ask the manufacturer about it. After all, LED technology is still undergoing a great deal of further development. Just get in touch with us!

LED luminaire phase dimmable
The luminaire can be dimmed via the normal 3-pole power cable. A phase dimmer is required. Information on section or leading edge dimming (TRIAC) can be found in the product text. Keywords: LED luminaire dimmable via leading edge or trailing edge phase dimmer or universal dimmer. Specify the power of the luminaire in watts for the correct control range

LED luminaire PUSH dimmable
The power supply unit of the LEDs is supplied with mains voltage. It is also controlled via a pulse, also at 230V. This requires an additional line in the cabling, i.e. at least four wires as opposed to the usual three. The power surge then comes from a push-button instead of a switch. A single press (PUSH) switches the light on and off. A long press dims the light up and down to the desired brightness. Keywords: LED light dimmable via PUSH dimmer/button

LED light 0-10 or 1-10V dimmable
The power supply unit of the light requires a 230V power supply and two additional wires carry a small control voltage of 0-10 volts. A 5-pole connection cable is therefore required here. Control is via a potentiometer, which can be used as a rotary control in the switch box, for example. Keywords: LED luminaire dimmable via 0-10 or 1-10V potentiometer

LED light DALI dimmable
The power supply unit is initially supplied with mains voltage. DALI control takes place via two additional wires. You therefore need a 5-pole supply line to the luminaire. DALI is a digital bus system for complex to professional control technology. However, individual luminaires with small additional devices, e.g. for the switch box, can of course also be controlled via the DALI interface. DALI 2 is a newer, even more comprehensive DALI standard and is compatible with DALI (1). Keywords: LED luminaire dimmable with DALI


Conclusions
The PUSH, 0-10V and DALI dimming technologies therefore require a 4 or 5-pole supply line. This is rarely the case in private homes and is difficult to retrofit in solid ceilings and walls. In the case of interior fittings with plasterboard, on the other hand, it is often possible to change the wiring with little effort. There are also wireless solutions such as CASAMBI to enable wireless control via Bluetooth or ZIGBEE.

We will be happy to help you with these questions. If your desired luminaire does not contain any information on dimming, this usually means that it is unfortunately not dimmable. However, we are happy to take the opportunity to talk to the manufacturer to see if there are any new extensions for dimming.

Dimming LEDs is more complicated than dimming incandescent lamps. We will be happy to advise you on all aspects of this.
Just get in touch with us.