Dimming LEDs in general and in detail. Choosing a quality dimmer for LED lamps

To adjust the brightness of incandescent lamps, a dimmer was invented a long time ago - a simple electronic device, which changes the brightness of the lamp by “cutting off” part of the mains voltage sinusoid.

The incandescent lamp is simple, but led lamp contains a complex electronic circuit, so dimming is not easy. Today I will tell you what dimmers do, how they differ from each other, and how dimmable LED lamps behave compared to incandescent lamps when adjusting the brightness.

Let's start with what dimmers do. Here is an oscillogram of the mains voltage.

The dimmer “cuts off” a piece of the sine wave. At half the brightness, “halves” of the sinusoid remain in each half-cycle.

At the minimum brightness level, only small “tails” remain.

In fact, the dimmer turns the load on and off 100 times per second and the brightness depends on the moment it is turned on.

All dimmers with a two-wire connection cannot “open” completely - to operate they need power, which they receive due to the small voltage remaining when they are not fully “opened”. At maximum brightness, the oscillogram at the dimmer output looks like this.

Conventional LED lamps, when switched on via a dimmer, will turn on at full brightness from a certain point of regulation or blink when dimming is attempted. Dimmable LED lamps, which contain a special circuit that recognizes dimming and controls the lamp stabilizer circuit, allow you to adjust the brightness.

When dimmed, LED bulbs behave differently than incandescent bulbs. When the incandescent lamp burns very dimly, the LED lamp still glows quite brightly. This is what the lamps look like, connected through the same dimmer at minimum brightness.

All dimmers have different minimum levels. For example, for one of the Chinese dimmers the oscillogram at the minimum level looked like this.

At the same time, the LED dimmable lamps glowed quite brightly.

When dimming LED lamps, it is important that the minimum adjustment level is as low as possible. If the filament of an incandescent lamp at the minimum adjustment level glows slightly dark red, such a dimmer is suitable for LED lamps, but if the filament of an incandescent lamp is lit yellow light, LED lamps at the minimum dimming level will shine too brightly.

I connected an incandescent lamp to the three dimmers I have and measured the True RMS output voltage with a multimeter.

Black Chinese dimmer on wire - 98 V.
IKEA dimmer - 66 V.
Chinese dimmer with shiny handle - 46 V.

The maximum level for all dimmers is also different:

The network is 228 V.
Black Chinese dimmer on the wire - 211 V.
IKEA dimmer - 221 V.
Chinese dimmer with shiny handle - 220 V.

Dimmable LED lamps differ in their minimum dimming level. Some allow you to reduce brightness up to 5%, and some only up to 20%. Here, for example, are the Navigator NLL-C37-5-230-2.7K-E14-FR-DIMM and IKEA 102.667.54 lamps, switched on to the same dimmer at the minimum brightness level.

Another problem when dimming LED lamps is sound. Almost all dimmable lamps buzz quietly when dimmed, but some lamps with some dimmers start to buzz quite loudly. The dimmer itself can also itch.

Another problem is the incompatibility of dimmers with LED lamps. Some dimmers go crazy when LED bulbs are turned on. In my room there is a Univex switch with dimming and remote control (). When LED lamps are screwed into the chandelier, the light turns off immediately after being turned on. Replacing one of the six lamps with a regular incandescent lamp helped. Now the chandelier has five LED lamps and one incandescent lamp and the switch works correctly.

The last problem is the incompatibility of lamps and dimmer. However, some LED lamps may not turn on or turn on only once. For example, out of six lamps in a chandelier, when turned on, only five or four can light up, and when restart All six will light up. The reason is most likely due to interference introduced by the dimmer. For a Chinese black dimmer at half brightness, the output waveform looks like this:

It is quite possible that the interference pulse affects the operation of the lamp electronics.

In addition to simple dimmers that cut off the leading edge of a sine wave, there are dimmers that cut off the trailing edge and PWM dimmers. I haven't come across anything like this yet.

1. All dimmers have different minimum levels. For LED lamps you need it to be as low as possible;
2. The maximum level is also different. If it is not high enough, the lamps will never burn at full brightness;
3. All dimmable LED lamps have different levels of dimming minimum;
4. There may be incompatibility between the lamp model and the dimmer model;
5. When dimming, the lamps may hum; when changing the dimmer, the hum may decrease.

p.s. This is how I spend my day off. :)

p.p.s. Details for financial support of the project have appeared on the website http://lamptest.ru, in addition, you can now order testing of any lamp from any online store

To adjust the brightness of incandescent lamps, a dimmer was invented a long time ago - a simple electronic device that changes the brightness of the lamp by “cutting off” part of the mains voltage sinusoid.

An incandescent lamp is simple, but an LED lamp contains a complex electronic circuit, so dimming is not easy. Today I will tell you what dimmers do, how they differ from each other, and how dimmable LED lamps behave compared to incandescent lamps when adjusting the brightness.

Let's start with what dimmers do. Here is an oscillogram of the mains voltage.

The dimmer “cuts off” a piece of the sine wave. At half the brightness, “halves” of a sinusoid remain in each half-cycle.

At the minimum brightness level, only small “tails” remain.

In fact, the dimmer turns the load on and off 100 times per second and the brightness depends on the moment it is turned on.

All dimmers have different minimum levels. For example, for one of the Chinese dimmers the oscillogram at the minimum level looked like this.

At the same time, the LED dimmable lamps glowed quite brightly.

When dimming LED lamps, it is important that the minimum adjustment level is as low as possible. If the incandescent lamp filament at the minimum dimming level glows slightly dark red, such a dimmer is suitable for LED lamps, but if the incandescent lamp filament glows yellow, the LED lamps at the minimum dimming level will shine too brightly.

I connected an incandescent lamp to the three dimmers I have and measured the True RMS output voltage with a multimeter.

Black Chinese dimmer on wire - 98 V.
IKEA dimmer - 66 V.
Chinese dimmer with shiny handle - 46 V.

The maximum level for all dimmers is also different:

The network is 228 V.
Black Chinese dimmer on the wire - 211 V.
IKEA dimmer - 221 V.
Chinese dimmer with shiny handle - 220 V.

Another problem when dimming LED lamps is sound. Almost all dimmable lamps buzz quietly when dimmed, but some lamps with some dimmers start to buzz quite loudly. The dimmer itself can also itch.

Another problem is the incompatibility of dimmers with LED lamps. Some dimmers go crazy when LED bulbs are turned on. In my room there is a Univex switch with dimming and remote control. When LED lamps are screwed into the chandelier, the light turns off immediately after being turned on. Replacing one of the six lamps with a regular incandescent lamp helped. Now the chandelier has five LED lamps and one incandescent lamp and the switch works correctly.

The last problem is the incompatibility of lamps and dimmer. However, some LED lamps may not turn on or turn on only once. For example, out of six lamps in a chandelier, when turned on, only five or four can light up, but when turned on again, all six will light up. The reason is most likely due to interference introduced by the dimmer. For a Chinese black dimmer at half brightness, the output waveform looks like this:

It is quite possible that the interference pulse affects the operation of the lamp electronics.

1. All dimmers have different minimum levels. For LED lamps you need it to be as low as possible;
2. The maximum level is also different. If it is not high enough, the lamps will never burn at full brightness;
3. All dimmable LED lamps have different minimum dimming levels;
4. There may be incompatibility between the lamp model and the dimmer model;
5. When dimming, the lamps may hum; when changing the dimmer, the hum may decrease.

P.s. This is how I spend my day off. :)

P.p.s. Details for financial support of the project have appeared on the lamptest.ru website, in addition, you can now order testing of any lamp from any online store.

Upd.: In addition to simple dimmers that cut off the leading edge of a sine wave, there are dimmers that cut off the trailing edge and PWM dimmers. I haven't come across anything like this yet. Thanks for the tip.

In order for interior lighting to work according to the chosen scenario, special devices are used to regulate the brightness of the glow. Such electrical installation devices allow you to stepwise or smoothly change the load supplied to the light sources. Dimmers for 220V LED lamps not only control the luminous flux, but also contribute to energy saving and long term their operation.

Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of room lighting

Dimmer - a multifunctional switch designed to control intensity luminous flux incandescent lamps, fluorescent light sources and LED lamps. Initially, such devices were controlled mechanically, and their functions included only changing the brightness of various light sources. Modern dimmers are equipped with microcircuits (microcontrollers) designed to perform a number of functions:

changing the glow level;
smooth switching off and switching on of the light source;
presence effect in the house (this function allows you to maintain a scenario of simulating the presence of the owners in the home, periodically turning on and off the lights);

automatic disconnection from the network;
support a series of flashing and dimming modes;
possibility of electronic, remote and acoustic control.

Dimmers can be installed individually or in groups, controlling the operation of one or several lamps, respectively. If several light sources are combined to illuminate a certain area, they can be connected to one dimmer. With its help, you can change the brightness of the glow using a special remote control panel.

The dimmer device is based on the rheostat principle. By changing the resistance of the circuit, you can change the value of voltage or current. The higher the resistance value, the lower the electric current voltage. The dimmer device contains a set of resistors, through which the intensity of the glow is regulated. Using a dimmer, you can adjust a comfortable level of lighting, taking into account what is in different times Requirements for room lighting may be different.

The principle of connecting a dimmer for

Thus, the use of such devices makes it possible to implement not only a variety of design solutions, but also significantly reduce energy consumption costs.

Pay attention! Operating in a soft dim mode, incandescent lamps and LED lamps capable of working 5-10 times longer.

Dimmers for LED lamps

Depending on the light sources for which dimmers are used, they are classified into:

dimmer control for incandescent lamps;
dimmers for ;
dimmers for LED lamps 220V;
dimmers for energy-saving lamps (fluorescent).

It should be noted that, unlike LED strips and designs, semiconductor lamps can be connected to a 220V household network without the use of voltage converters. Their power is up to 40W. When replacing conventional incandescent lamps with LED light sources, you must familiarize yourself with technical characteristics the latter: voltage, power, color temperature, base type, service life. All this data is available on the product packaging.

LED lamps are equipped with a base adapted to a standard lamp socket. They are available with socket types E, MR and G (pin). The presence of threaded sockets for dimmable LED lamps E14, E27 makes them convenient for connecting to a 220V household lighting system and allows the use of standard dimmers for them.

Not all control devices are compatible with LED lamps. So that the buyer can understand whether it is possible to adjust the brightness of the purchased product, manufacturers indicate this possibility on the packaging and in the passport of the LED lamp. This can be either a corresponding inscription or a symbol.

By purchasing a dimmable LED lamp, you can save on purchasing a special dimmer. For lamps that do not have a dimming function, dimmers for LED lamps are used that operate on the principle of pole width modulation (PWM), which are quite expensive.

Dimmers for 220V LED lamps: types, diagrams and device connections

Connecting a standard dimmer to unregulated LED lamps requires a certain amount of power ranging up to 45W. Thus, the power of one incandescent lamp can be supplied by two or even three 220V semiconductor lamps. If the load is not enough, the LED lamps will not work correctly and will quickly fail without the possibility of a warranty replacement.

Classification of dimmers

You can choose a dimmer model that would maximize energy saving and increase the service life of LED lamps by reading the classification and technical parameters dimmers. They differ in design, current load, control principle, installation method and other characteristics.

Based on the control method, dimmers are classified into:

touch (contact) – such devices are controlled by contact with the touch panel;
rotary-push - start-up occurs by pressing the knob (large round button), and brightness control occurs by turning. The main feature of such devices is that you can turn off the lighting in the selected mode without moving the handle to its original position;
keyboards - models with buttons or keys that regulate the light level. Typically, such dimmers have a power off key, like a regular switch;
remote – the light flux is adjusted using the remote control or via a wireless channel (Wi-Fi).

Pay attention! Due to the absence of moving elements in the design, touch dimmers are the most reliable and high quality compared to other models.

Depending on the installation location, dimmers are divided into the following types:

wall-mounted - mounted at the location of the switch in the rooms where the light flux is planned to be controlled;
remote – have the form of a small block installed next to the lamp;
modular - installed in the distribution panel on a DIN rail to which automatic protection switches and other devices are attached.

According to the method of electrical installation, dimmers are divided into devices for external and hidden wiring.

Dimmer circuit for 220V LED lamp

The first simple dimmers were used only to change brightness. Their device included a rotary knob and a connection terminal. Such devices did not work saving electricity, since the released power simply disappeared in the form of unnecessary heat. With the advent of semiconductor electronic devices (dinistors and triacs), the functions of dimmers have expanded significantly.

The principle of operation of the dimmer circuit on a triac is to pass current through it. In such dimmers, the main adjustable element is a triac. The power of the load connected to such a circuit depends on its parameter. Due to the appearance of voltage between the electrodes of triac A1 and G, the light bulb lights up.

The charging rate depends on the value of the potentiometer R, which is charged at the beginning of the positive half-wave. When the resistance value on the triac reaches a minimum value, it opens and the lamp glows until the end of the half-wave. The same picture is observed in the case of a negative half-wave, since the current in the triac is supplied in both directions.

Thus, the voltage across the active load consists of sections of negative and positive half-waves, running one after the other with a frequency of 100 Hz. If the brightness of the light bulb is very low, it may flicker. This occurs due to the fact that the power supply to the lamp is very short.

The circuit of various triac dimmers for LED lamps is almost identical everywhere, and may differ in additional elements for stable operation at the “outputs” with low voltage. In some cases, details are added to the diagram for more smooth control luminous flux and elements that reduce the level of interference in the network.

How to connect a dimmer

IN lately To control lighting, many people replace conventional switches with dimming devices. The dimmer, like the switch, has two clamps and is mounted in place of the wiring box using the same wires that were used for the household switch. Using a fairly simple dimmer connection diagram, anyone can install a dimmer.

Pay attention! The dimmer must be installed in accordance with safety regulations for electrical installation work.

The procedure for connecting a dimmer for 220V LED lamps with your own hands:

using an indicator screwdriver, you need to determine the phase;
de-energize the household electrical network;
guided by the dimmer circuit for LED lamps, the wire with the phase should be connected to the dimmer terminal marked “L”, the second wire – to the connector marked “N”;
to obtain a reliable connection, the wires must be clamped well;
after assembling the entire circuit, use the adjusting bolts to adjust the position of the device body;
install a decorative cover;
connect power. If the system is functioning, then the connection is made correctly.

The process of connecting a dimmer with a switch is carried out sequentially. Some dimmers have a start/stop function. If you purchased just such a model, then when installing a dimmer, the switch is completely replaced by this device.

Adjusting light from several places: the principle of operation of a pass-through dimmer

Quite often situations arise when it is necessary to organize a lighting system in a large house or large apartment. You may need, for example, to turn on the light in a long and narrow hallway and, after walking through it, turn off the lighting. The need to dim the brightness of the light may arise if you have already gone to rest or watch TV, but you don’t want to get out of bed.

Pass-through switches will help solve the problem of turning on lighting from several points. But you can regulate the light flux from several places by installing a pass-through switch at one point, and a rotary dimmer at another. This arrangement of devices will allow you to only turn on the lighting in one place, and only adjust the brightness in another.

However, there are models of dimmers that provide pass-through dimming. These include sensory devices that, thanks to electronics, can be synchronized with each other. For pass-through dimming, satellite devices are connected to the dimmer. Depending on the type of dimmer, you can connect from 5 to 10 satellites to it. Usage satellite device, as an independent device is impossible.

Pay attention! To install dimmers with satellites that provide pass-through dimming, you will need the help of qualified specialists.

Manufacturers of dimmers: where to buy dimmers for 220V LED lamps

Guided by the opinions of experts, it is better to buy dimmers for LED lamps from reputable manufacturers of electrical installation devices. Leading manufacturers of dimmers for LED lamps: Legrand, Schneider, Makel. They offer a full range of equipment: from household switches to lighting control systems.

Legrand dimmers for LED lamps 220V

All products manufactured by Legrand are developed on the basis of advanced technologies and meet European quality requirements. The main advantage of electrical installation devices from this manufacturer is ease of installation, trouble-free operation and excellent design. All products are certified and meet the requirements of GOST.

You can purchase Legrand dimmers for LED lamps by ordering the device on the company’s official website or in online stores specializing in the sale of such products. The cost of a Legrand Valena dimmer with a power of 400 W of a rotary type is 2080 rubles. The price of a 400 W push-button dimmer is 4,000 rubles. A rotary dimmer with a power of 1000 W will cost 6160 rubles. Legrand dimmers are presented in the catalog in the following colors: aluminum, white, ivory.

Before you buy a dimmer for an LED lamp, you should familiarize yourself with the device compatibility data available in a special table. As a rule, lighting equipment sales points have this information. Ideally, having purchased a dimmable LED lamp, it is better to immediately check its compatibility with the purchased dimmer.

Dimmers Schneider Electric

Another world-famous manufacturer is the Schneider Electric company. Dimmers from this manufacturer are presented in several series. The devices have an elegant design and are available in seven color options. The long service life of the devices is due to the use of proven and high-quality materials. The dimmers are equipped with protection against short circuit, overload and overheating.

Thanks to special guides and mounting tabs, the devices are easily and quickly mounted. All products are provided with a manufacturer's warranty for 18 months. Flexible conditions for exchange and return of devices have been developed. The company is constantly working to create new devices with more advanced functions.

The price of a rotary dimmer of the Schneider Unique series TOP color Graphite for halogen lamps and incandescent lamps is 4,200 rubles, the cost of a rotary dimmer of the Schneider Electric Unique series with a power of 400 W in the color Aluminum for halogen lamps is 4,050 rubles.

There are also more budget series of Schneider dimmers, the price of which does not exceed 1,500 rubles. Thus, you can purchase a rotary dimmer of the W59 series with a power of 300 W in the color Matte chrome for hidden installation for 1,400 rubles.

Useful advice! To protect yourself from counterfeiting, you should not buy devices at random points of sale.

Making a dimmer yourself

Anyone who considers himself a radio amateur and has at least a little skill in this matter can make a dimmer on his own. Since the dimmer circuit for LED lamps is very simple, understanding the device will not be difficult. a lot of work, provided that you have a soldering iron and electronic components. Radio components can be purchased separately or purchased a ready-made kit for assembly.

To make the device yourself, you will need the following parts and tools:

copper wire;
triac (triac);
capacitors – 2 pcs;
dinistor;

fixed and variable resistors;
soldering iron, solder.

Electronic components are placed on a printed circuit board and connected to each other using a wire using soldering. When connecting radio components, follow the dimmer circuit diagram. Job assembled circuit will be that non-polar capacitor will be served AC resistor. And the capacitor, when charged, will transfer power to the lamp.

After homemade device will be assembled, it must be tested. To do this, you can use a lamp socket with a lamp. You need to connect the device to the cartridge using wires and connect it to the network. Since there is life-threatening voltage in the circuit, all connections should be carefully insulated. In addition, do not touch bare areas printed circuit board where the conductors are located.

If everything is assembled correctly and all radio components are in working order, the dimmer will work: when you turn the control element of the device in one direction, the light bulb will light up brighter, and when you turn it in the opposite direction, the intensity of the glow will decrease, until it turns off.

Dimmers are successfully used by designers for interior lighting design. After all, by experimenting with lighting, you can give the room different shades: from muted and mysterious to bright and invigorating. With the help of dimmers, you can set convenient lighting scenarios and change your usual environment, obtaining completely unexpected effects.

Today, dimmable LED lamps e14 are becoming increasingly popular. What is the reason for their popularity and what are their main features? What is the benefit of using them? We will try to find answers to these and other questions in this short article.

Why do we need dimmable LED devices and their areas of application?

As you know, the intensity of consecration in a room can constantly change. These changes or leaps cannot be ignored. Therefore, specialists dimmers were invented. Dimmers are called dimmers. Such dimmers cannot work with a regular energy-saving lamp. Why?

The reason for the impossibility of successful operation of a dimmer and a simple device lies in the capabilities and features of the LED source itself. A conventional energy-saving device has a micro-rectifier. This device can only turn the light on and off. Completing these tasks occurs quickly and abruptly. Dimmers smoothly change the intensity of consecration. Therefore, LED dimmer bulbs are a great option. Operating a conventional lighting source with a dimmer will not give the desired results. And in some cases it can lead to unwanted bad consequences, such as failure of the entire system.

To prevent such situations, experts invented dimmable LED lamps e14. They differ significantly from conventional devices and are able, figuratively speaking, to get along with dimmers. So, why do we need LED lamps? These lamps need to be purchased (you can find out about the price upon purchase) in order, together with dimmers, to control the intensity of illumination in the premises.

Where can dimmable LED fixtures be used?

In fact, their scope of application is very wide. Here are some of the areas of application:

Dimmable LED lamps can also be used as an incandescent device. Such use will not harm the lamp itself and, on the contrary, will benefit you. Indeed, in such cases it is possible to reduce energy costs well.

Operation of dimmers and dimmable lamps. Nuances and features

Despite the fact that dimmers are recommended to be used exclusively with dimmable lamps e 14, it is very important to know that not all dimmers are suitable for a particular LED lighting source. About this feature should be remembered even when you are going, already knowing the price, to buy a dimmer. Today there are many types of dimmers. They differ from each other in terms of appearance, and in terms of power. Here are the three most common dimmer models:

As for the power of the dimmer, this characteristic should be specified in the instructions for the regulator. Instructions will be provided when you purchase the device. Dimmer power should not exceed the total power of all devices. Otherwise, serious problems may occur.

Also, these devices may differ from each other in the method and location of intended installation. Some are editing directly into the installation box(standard dimmers), others are mounted on the distribution panel (modular dimmers). It is recommended to purchase modular dimmers for installing lighting on landings or in long corridors.

For apartment premises it is advisable to use standard method dimmer installations. However, in such cases, the question may arise: how profitable is it to use dimmable LED lamps in residential buildings? Since, together with dimmers, these lamps save energy, we can say with confidence that if you buy such a lamp, you will not go wrong. The lamps themselves can create a warm and cozy atmosphere in the home. Thanks to the ability to adjust the lighting, dimmable LED lamps e 14 are suitable for both household chores and family celebrations.

Brightness of illumination in LED devices

Speaking about the regulation of consecration, one cannot fail to mention brightness. In the LED devices under consideration, the brightness can also vary (from 10 to 100%). This is a necessary feature functions thanks to pulse width modulation. This modulation is initially built into the e14 LED lamp you purchased.

To control the operation of the source of consecration, experts recommend purchasing a wall regulator. What is a wall regulator? This is a mechanical device designed specifically to control a light source. At the same time this wall regulator must have a connection to interact with the dimmable LED lamp itself. Signals and commands indicating an increase or decrease in current are supplied by a special driver built into the design of the device itself.

This way of functioning of consecration is in many ways similar to the classical form of consecration. Therefore, an LED lamp and its operation can easily be confused with standard lighting. To avoid confusion and ridiculous situations, it is important to know one characteristic feature, which distinguishes LED devices from all other types of lamps. On dimmable LED devices ah always has its own exclusive attribute. This attribute is the word "dimmable". Let us emphasize once again that only this type of source of sanctification contains such a word.

On all other types this word is absent. Manufacturers often replace it with a regular logo that corresponds to the characteristics of a particular type of LED device. Knowing this feature, you will not confuse a regular electric light bulb with a dimmable E14 LED lamp.

Additional features of LED lamps

TO additional features include designations and characteristics, the existence of which in mandatory dimmer manufacturers notify, including the creators of LED devices. Such inscriptions and characteristics may include:

The appearance of the base must fully correspond to the appearance of the light source itself. In that case if necessary the base can be easily replaced with a new one. At the same time, it is important to understand that dimmable LED devices have only recently appeared. So it shouldn't surprise you that most people still prefer to use incandescent bulbs.

Why should you buy dimmable LED lamps?

To answer this question, it is enough to mention the advantages of LED lamps. They certainly have them. Here are the main advantages of such lighting devices:

Convenient operation of the lighting device. The dimmable LED lamp is easy to use;
Energy saving. Thanks to the dimmer, such lamps save energy. The function of changing the brightness allows you to choose the color of the temperature yourself, that is, a lighting convenient for the circumstances;
Standard base. The presence of a standard base will significantly simplify the process of installing the device itself;
Light controller. The light regulator allows you to reduce the load on light-emitting diodes. Moderate loads on the diodes help extend the life of E14 LED lamps for dimmers.

The listed advantages show that such consecration devices are worth using.

Dimming is the regulation of the load consumed by an electrical appliance. The regulation process is controlled by a special device - a dimmer. However, the peculiarity of the technology is such that the dimmer is incompatible with standard energy saving lamps. It is for this reason that dimmable LED lamps were developed, which we will discuss in this article.

Features of dimmable lamps

Conventional LED lamps are equipped with a micro-rectifier, which is capable of transforming 220 V into a direct mains voltage. Due to the micro-rectifier, they become possible inclusion and turning off the lighting. Moreover, any attempt to use a dimmer together with a standard version of a lighting device only leads to flickering, but not to a smooth glow. The problem was solved only after the invention of LED lamps equipped with a dimmer.

LED lamp device

A dimmable LED lamp has a number of advantages over other light sources:

Thanks to the dimmer, it is possible to change the intensity of the glow from 10 to 100%. To ensure such indicators, the LED lamp with a controller is equipped with an additional unit, the task of which is pulse-width modulation. Adjustable light intensity allows you to provide comfortable lighting depending on your immediate needs. For example, you can make the light softer, dimmed, or, conversely, as bright as possible. Standard lamps can only be in two states: “on” or “off”.
Low power consumption. LED devices with a regulator can be easily replaced as halogen lamps, and incandescent lamps. This provides significant savings in electricity costs. Cost reduction can reach 70-90%.
Ease of use.
Long service life.

Another advantage is that an LED lamp can be equipped with a standardized base (E14, E27, etc.) via a dimmer, which greatly facilitates the work of installing it yourself.

The control functions of the light sources are performed by a control mechanism, the functions of which can be handled by a mechanical wall regulator. To change the lighting parameters of a light bulb, the driver in it must receive a command to decrease or increase the voltage or current.

Externally, dimmable devices are similar to classic diode lighting technology. The only sign by which lamps with dimmers can be distinguished is the inscription “dimmable”. Sometimes the inscription complements the characteristic logo.

Specifications

IN technical documentation, where dimmable LED lamps are described, the following light source parameters are usually present:

Light bulb power. For LED devices, this figure is very small (from 4 to 10 W).
Power supply voltage.
Ability to change the brightness of the light stream.
Color temperature. This parameter indicates the temperature perception of light. You can choose between white cool or yellow warm.
Base type. The most common sockets are E14 and E27 - they are used instead of incandescent light bulbs. Other common models are G9, G12, GU10, GX53.
Luminous flux. This parameter indicates the brightness of the lighting when maximum level loads.
Angle of light.
Type of light diffuser: matte or transparent.

The most important element of a lighting device is the base. Thanks to this element, the lamp can be placed in a given place. Taking into account the fact that dimmer circuits for LED lamps have been released not so long ago, consumers are still actively using halogen and conventional incandescent lamps. As a result, universal sockets for installation in sockets are in highest demand.

The E14 socket can be used instead of a 60-watt incandescent light bulb. The E27 model can be used in place of a 100-watt incandescent lamp. If the lighting diode device is equipped with a GU10 base, it can replace a 50-watt light bulb. Model GX53 is designed for built-in lighting and surface-mounted luminaires. The G9 variation is used in capsule lighting sources, which are compact. Model G12 - best option for metal halogen bulb-shaped tube lamps.

Dimmer control

Dimmers are classified according to their control method:

Push-button dimmers are controlled by pressing the return switch key.
Touch dimmers are controlled by touching a touch element, which can be a piece of fittings, a lamp body, etc.
Cord dimmer connects to floor lamps, sconces, etc.
The operation of the remote dimmer is controlled using a remote control.

Light control problem

As noted above, each led light bulb without dimming capabilities, it does not work correctly when the input voltage changes. Beyond the flickering and impossibility fine tuning, the lamp simply will not turn on if the voltage does not correspond to the specified level.

Dimming LED lamps involves changing the voltage sinusoid by separating part of the half-wave. The consequence of this is the appearance of “dead zones” that are incorrectly processed by the driver. As a result, the lamp responds to a lack of input mains voltage by operating incorrectly.

It should also be noted that there is a wide variety electronic circuits dimmers and drivers. Due to the lack of standardization, the problem of inconsistency arises. All devices are characterized by different minimum voltage response thresholds. If, when turned on, the dimmer gives 60 V, then the lamp will show only a third of the nominal value, and the control limits will fluctuate from 30 to 100%. With all this, for certain types of dimmable light sources the minimum brightness threshold is only 5%. As a result, the following problems may occur:

The driver doesn't work.
The driver emits an unpleasant sound at high frequencies.
The maximum output voltage level in the dimmer is 210 V, which does not allow obtaining the maximum brightness indicator.
Interruptions in the functioning of the dimmer due to incompatibility with the LED lamp circuit.
A short (up to one second) flash when the device is turned on.

Pay attention! The color temperature remains stable regardless of the brightness of the light.

Selection criteria

Need to consider:

Lighting devices on diode based It is recommended to choose with a dimmer, paying attention to the load level.
Another important point is the LED design option.
There are models of regulators on the market that can be used to connect not one, but several light sources at once. The lowest load level in such devices can vary between 20 and 45 W.
A dimmer for LED lamps changes the lighting fixture's power level and voltage. When purchasing, it is recommended to give preference to devices that provide a minimum level of lighting when connected. This recommendation caused by the fact that LEDs themselves are very characteristic bright glow, and if you use too powerful a dimmer, then even at entry level the lamp will shine too brightly.
Dimmer load limit - another one important indicator. Even if at the purchase stage you plan to connect only one lighting device, it is recommended to choose a dimmer with a power reserve, since in the future the needs may change upward.
The color temperature of the dimmable light bulb is essential, since the quality of lighting depends on this indicator.
As mentioned above, the base can be universal or specialized. It is more practical to buy a universal base, since in this case you will not have to rebuild the lighting system.
The choice of a manufacturing company is dictated by brand recognition, product quality and price. The most famous manufacturers of quality products are Philips, Osram, Uniel and Gauss. The cost of dimmers from these companies is high, but the quality is consistent. But Chinese products have low prices, but you usually shouldn’t count on the reliability of the product. The fact is that manufacturers budget models They use low-quality crystals in the production process, in which the degradation process quickly develops, leading to clouding, which affects the quality of lighting. Such devices are characterized by a cold glow, slight brightness balancing, and low light output.
Determining whether a dimmable LED-based light bulb is suitable for a dimmer can only be done experimentally. That is why, before purchasing a dimmer, it is recommended to agree with the seller about possible return or replacement of the product. To reduce the chances of incompatibility, it is recommended to purchase devices from reputable manufacturers. The cost of a quality product cannot be less than 500-700 rubles. But in the case of lamps costing around 300 rubles, the likelihood of problematic operation increases significantly.

Buying a dimmable light bulb is a rather complicated process with unpredictable results. Therefore, when purchasing, you should carefully read technical information as set out in the documentation supplied with the product. It would also be a good idea to listen to the recommendations of the sales consultant.