Dimming lights in our living room - can we just buy a dimming light switch?

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turtleattacks

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#290229 28-Oct-2021 20:21

Hi guys,

We have a normal light switch with a bunch of ceiling LED lights we got from Mitre10.

Can we just buy a dimming light switch and replace it with the existing panel?

Do we need an electrician to install this?

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shk292

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#2803144 28-Oct-2021 21:07

Different LED fittings require different dimmer types, and some may not be dimmable. It's usually specified on the data sheet with the fitting.

Provided you pick the right dimmer, actually fitting it is easy enough if you know your way around a multimeter and know what test-prove-test means. A sparky will obviously advise you to get a sparky in to do it!

DS248

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#2803159 28-Oct-2021 22:03

As shk292 indicated, it depends on the specific specs of the lights. Many are not dimmable. If you no longer have the data sheets that came with the lights, check the Mitre10 website (assuming they are still selling that model).

Unless they specifically state that they are dimmable, then in general they will not be.

MikeB4

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#2803210 29-Oct-2021 07:00

The small cost of getting an electrician in to do the job safely is worth it compared to the risk to life and property. Uncertified home handyman job could also put your insurance at risk.

sbiddle

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#2803212 29-Oct-2021 07:18

The main issue you have is whether your lights can be dimmed. Unlike the old days of filament bulbs most LEDs are not dimmable, and while you can dim most halogens you may significantly reduce the life by doing so. You'll need to check the specifications.

turtleattacks

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#2803218 29-Oct-2021 07:36

sbiddle:
The main issue you have is whether your lights can be dimmed. Unlike the old days of filament bulbs most LEDs are not dimmable, and while you can dim most halogens you may significantly reduce the life by doing so. You'll need to check the specifications.

Is it just matter of getting dimmable bulbs or the fact that the fittings and the switch also need to be compatible?

Are filament bulbs still readily available?

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shk292

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#2803230 29-Oct-2021 08:11

turtleattacks:

Is it just matter of getting dimmable bulbs or the fact that the fittings and the switch also need to be compatible?

Are filament bulbs still readily available?

If you've just replaced the bulbs in existing fittings, then it's just the bulbs that need to be dimmable - I had assumed you had changed the whole fitting, which is what I did. So you just need to know that the bulbs are dimmable, and select a suitable dimmer.

Handsomedan

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#2803300 29-Oct-2021 09:25

Getting the wrong dimmer will make for a giant headache.

We had LED recessed/downlights put in a few years ago and had dimmers put in the bedrooms, lounge, front room/office etc.

The one in the front room was an incorrect dimmer type and simply made the light flicker and quite often not turn on at first go.

Had a sparky come back in and replace that single dimmer and it's been flawless ever since. But it's not as straight-forward as fitting a dimmer to incandescent bulbs.

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