What is a dimmer for 220V LED lamps: features and applications

What is a dimmer for 220V LED lamps: general information

To be precise in the definitions, a dimmer for LEDs is a device that allows user to decrease or increase the power by adjusting the voltage supplied to lighting device. The simplest dimmers for "Ilyich's bulbs" were rheostats - regulators that limit voltage by converting it into thermal energy. With modern light sources, for example, light diodes, such a number will no longer work. More complex schemes are needed here. The question arises: is it possible to put the dimmer on LED bulbs? As it turned out, you can. In addition, it is not difficult if you know some of the nuances that we will consider today.

What is the Difference Between Regular and Dimmable LED Bulbs

LED lamps can be divided into 2 categories - dimmable and non-dimmable (conventional). The latter, of course, are cheaper, but their use does not imply a connection via a dimmer - you still won't be able to dim the light. Dimmable bulbs can be distinguished by the “dimmable” lettering and markings on the body and packaging. In the picture below, you can see how it looks.

A dimmable lamp differs from the usual one by the presence of a special PWM (pulse-width modulation) unit in the circuit. It is he who allows you to adjust the light intensity in the range from 10% to 100%.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Doctors say that watching TV in complete darkness has a very strong effect on the eyes, spoils vision. When the light is fully on, viewing is also not comfortable. For such cases, dimming would be an ideal solution - a dim, unobtrusive light will save the eyes of the household.

Pros and Cons of Dimming: What You Should Know About Dimmers

Dimming 220V LED lamps has quite a few advantages:

• a luminaire with a dimmer consumes less energy;
• the service life of lighting fixtures increases;
• it becomes possible to zon the room using the difference in the strength of the luminous flux;
• absence of radio interference during operation;
• you can purchase devices with additional functions (off / on timer, software control Wi-Fi or through Remote control);
• the dimmer is easy to connect - no special knowledge or skills are required for this job.

But there is only one negative side - a rather high cost, especially for complex electronic models with many additional functions.

HELPFUL INFORMATION!

Before purchasing a dimmer, you should weigh the pros and cons. If frequent use is planned, then over time it will pay for itself with the saved energy. If the dimmer is rarely used, then such an acquisition can hardly be called rational - although it is not worth saving on health.

Dimmer for LED lamps 220V: device and principle of operation

The dimmer circuit for 220V LED lamps includes a thyristor or triac, which are responsible for controlling the luminous flux. In fact, this is the same rheostat that changes the voltage supplied to the lighting device. However, thanks to modern electronics, it does not consume electricity to generate heat, which means its efficiency (efficiency) is not an example higher.

It should be understood that compatibility of light sources and dimmer is required for correct operation. A conventional device working with incandescent light bulbs will not work here. The fact is that LED light sources are low-power, which means that a conventional dimmer for lamps with a filament will constantly be under heavy load, which will lead to its failure. With the best outcome, it will then only function as a normal switch.

Types of devices for dimming LED lamps 220V

LED lighting fixtures are dimmable by various devices, which can be divided:

• by the principle of management;
• according to the place and method of installation.

Separation by place and method of installation is not important, because there is no difference in the design of the devices: everyone will choose the option that is convenient in a given situation. If the ceiling in an apartment or a private house is suspended, then it makes sense to purchase a dimmer, which will be located directly next to the lamp on the ceiling canvas. If the ceiling is normal, you will have to make a niche next to the junction box or switch, where a hidden dimmer will subsequently be installed. Today, devices are also produced that are mounted in plain sight without spoiling the interior.

By the principle of control, devices can be distinguished:

• mechanically controlled (rotary knob or keys);
• touch switches with dimmer;
• controlled by the remote control;
• with Wi-Fi control.

It is probably clear that the former is the budget option, while Wi-Fi dimmers are the most expensive. Mechanical devices most often perform only on / off and dimming functions. Additional options, such as a timer, are already present on some touch models. More expensive devices make it possible to connect to the Smart Home system.

What dimmers should you choose? Indeed, now on the shelves of electrical stores there is a huge number of manufacturers offering their products. Editorial staff Tehno.guru conducted its own check, according to the results of which we are ready to present to the dear reader some of the best (in our opinion) dimmer manufacturers.

The best manufacturers and models of dimmers for LEDs according to the editorship of Tehno.guru

It is a pity that such a concern as Schneider Electric does not produce dimmers for LED lamps - they limited themselves to devices for LED strips. However, there are many other manufacturers on the Russian market whose product quality is up to the mark. Let's try to choose the best ones. We will consider the company "Arlight", which is not too widely known, but makes very high quality and relatively inexpensive dimmers.

Large manufacturer with excellent reputation - "Arlight" with model LN014

This manufacturer specializes mainly in the manufacture of dimmers and controllers for LED equipment. The quality of products is always on top, and therefore we could not ignore it.

Arlight LN014

INTERESTING INFORMATION!

Dimmers are among those products that are practically not counterfeited. Thanks to this, you can be sure that if the manufacturer has a good reputation, you do not have to worry about the quality. This does not apply to Chinese products.

Dimmer current SRP-1009-50W (220V, 200-1500mA)

Quite an interesting device. Although the dimmer supports the remote control function, the remote control is not included. However, the device itself is made with high quality. Of course, the price is a little overpriced, but the durability in work justifies it. Consider the characteristics of the product.

Dimmer current SRP-1009-50W

This model is suitable for those who use 2-3 LED lamps in their lighting. Considering that the average power of one is 11-15 W, this power is quite enough.

Another dimmer - CT20-DIM

This is the cheapest and weakest dimmer we are considering today. It makes sense to install this only on very small rooms with one light bulb. However, the quality of the products is at the highest level. That is why the device was included in our top three.

dimmer CT20-DIM

Considering various manufacturers and the cost of their products, the editors of Tehno.guru came to the conclusion that if there is the desire to install a dimmer at home, then with the assortment that is offered to the buyer, choose the appropriate model not difficult. Moreover, this applies to all segments of the population, regardless of income level.

How to determine the compatibility of LED bulbs and dimmers

First you need to understand that an LED lamp and a LED strip are completely different lighting devices. This means that the dimmers for them will be different. If additional electronics are required for the operation of the tape, then the light bulb is screwed into a regular cartridge such as E14 or E27. Also, the lamp base can have a different shape - G or MR. It is designed to operate in a 220V / 50Hz network and does not require additional nodes.

When purchasing a dimmer, you should take into account the total load from all light sources that will be connected to the dimmer. If the bulbs have already been purchased (do not forget about the dimming markings), the ideal option would be in which the buyer comes to the store with a lamp. In this case, you can check the compatibility of the lighting fixture and the dimmer on site.

However, the main issue of compatibility is the dimming protocol of both devices.

Major compatibility parameter: LED lamp dimming protocols

There are 4 dimming protocols that differ from each other:

• TRIAC;
• 1-10V;
• DALI;
• Push DIM.

Let's try to figure out in general terms what each of them is, and what are the differences between them.

TRIAC Is a triac dimmer. The main advantages of the protocol are low cost and ease of connection. No additional equipment is required, it is included in the circuit like a conventional switch. The dimmer can be installed on a wire directly next to the luminaire. However, when purchasing, you should check the compatibility with the light fixture - incompatibility will lead to buzzing and flickering.

1-10V - such protocols were used when dimming fluorescent lighting fixtures. The essence of the work: a signal from 1 to 10V is sent over a separate pair. But, despite the fact that the protocol is completely insensitive to the load, it is used extremely rarely for two reasons. - control is possible from only one point, and manufacturers of LED equipment practically do not support it. The chances that you will come across a lamp or dimmer with a 1-10V protocol are almost zero.

DALI - Most manufacturers of professional lighting fixtures and equipment support this particular digital protocol. All dimmable lighting devices are united by a single bus, which controls them. A big plus is that at any time you can reassign the "switch / luminaire" message by switching one to the other. Dali offers the possibility of programming certain set parameters that can be saved. The disadvantages are the high cost and the need for initial setup, which cannot be performed without the help of a specialist.

Push DIM Is a fairly rare protocol. Its implementation is quite interesting: it is connected with two contacts, which are open in the normal position. The control is carried out as follows: the user presses the key, closing the contact, and immediately releases it, opening the circuit. A short press signals the dimmer about the command to turn on or off. If you press it for a long time, the dimmer reacts to the command to dim the light or make it brighter.

Which dimmer is better to buy for LED lamps 220V: editorial advice Tehno.guru

So how do you choose a dimmer? In order that the acquisition does not disappoint you, it is worth adhering to some rules:

1. Preference should be given to well-known brands with a good reputation. Despite the fact that the dimmer will cost a little more, you will be calm and confident in its performance. One of these, in addition to the one mentioned above, is "Legrand".
2. Pay attention to the appearance (if you plan to install it in a conspicuous place). The device should be in harmony with the interior, not spoil it.
3. Check protocols for compatibility.
4. Check with the seller-consultant for the availability of documentation, a certificate for products.
5. Examine the product carefully. The seams of the soldering must be even, the logo and technical information, if printed on the body, must be clear, undisturbed, and easy to read.

By observing these simple rules, you will acquire a high-quality device that will serve you for many years.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!

Before purchasing a dimmer, calculate what load will be produced by electricity consumers during operation. To do this, add up the power of all consumers that are planned to be connected through the dimmer, and add 20% for possible overloads. The resulting number will be the minimum power limit for the dimmer.

Connecting a dimmer for lighting: basic steps

How to connect a dimmer to LED bulbs? Even a novice home craftsman can cope with such work. The main task here is utmost care, accuracy and adherence to some rules. Dimmer wiring diagrams for 220V LED lamps are shown in the figures below.

The dimmer is connected in the following order. First of all, we determine the phase, mark it, and then remove the voltage by turning off the input machine. Further according to the scheme - zero for dimmer, phase for control. We connect the outgoing contacts with the lamp.

VERY IMPORTANT!

Remember to keep all contacts tight to avoid heating and igniting the wiring. It's not worth joking with electricity, it does not tolerate frivolity. Therefore, if a home craftsman doubts his own abilities, it is better to seek help from professionals.

Dimmer with your own hands - is it possible?

It is quite possible to make such a device with your own hands. However, this will require some skills and knowledge of radio engineering and electronics. If the home master does not have them, then it is unlikely that something worthwhile will turn out. If there are any, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with some schemes that will help you do this work.

Dimmer circuit for an LED lamp: the simplest option

If a person knows how to read diagrams, making such a dimmer will not work for him.

Hand-made production of a dimmer for LED strips

To make a dimmer for an LED strip, we need an integral stabilizer of the KREN series. The classic stabilizer connection scheme assumes that a resistor connected to the control input sets the stabilization value. By adding a capacitor C2 and a variable resistor, we get something like a comparator. It will look like this:

Let's summarize

A dimmer is really a very convenient and necessary, and sometimes even a necessary device. Its installation will undoubtedly bring its own bit of comfort to the life of household members. Considering the considerable cost, the main thing is to choose the right dimmer and LED lamps according to compatibility, protocols, power and other parameters. Only in this case the device will serve reliably, helping to relax when necessary, or vice versa, illuminate the room with bright light.

Fancy LED lamps with built-in dimmer and various possibilities

We hope that today's article was useful to our dear reader. If anyone has any questions after reading, we will be happy to answer them. You can ask them in the discussion below. There you can also share your personal experience of installing or making dimmers - this information will be useful for novice home craftsmen. Write, ask, communicate. And finally, we suggest watching a short video on today's topic, which will be very interesting to you.