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LED strip lights are becoming more and more popular due to their low energy consumption and versatile design. However, one question that often comes up is how to dim LED strip lights. Luckily, there are many ways to dim LED strip lights depending on your needs and preferences.
We will discuss the different ways you can dim LED strip lights focusing in on instructions on how to dim LED strips using two of the most common methods.
Table of Contents
The good news is pretty much LED Strip can be dimmed but it needs some careful attention given to the combination of kit involved.
There must be compatibility between:
LEDs are current-driven devices, which means that the brightness of an LED is controlled by how much current passes through it. The more current that flows through the LED, the brighter it will be up to a specified point. This is why dimming LED strip lights can be a bit tricky – if you reduce the amount of current going into the LEDs, they will become dimmer. However, if you reduce the current too much, the LEDs will stop working entirely.
There are a few different ways to dim LED strip lights, which we will discuss in more detail below. However, there are 2 main methods.
The easiset way to dim LED strip lights is by using a TRIAC dimmable power supply. If you want the convenience of a traditional wall dimmer and the elegance of LED strip lighting, this is your best option.
To dim LED strip lights using a TRIAC dimmer, you will need a TRIAC Dimmable Power driver which is a power supply that has been specifically designed to work with TRIAC dimmers which is what most mains dimmer modules behind the switch plate are.
The TRIAC dimmable power supply will convert the AC current from the wall outlet into DC current that is compatible with LED strip lights.
Once you have the correct components, setting up TRIAC dimming is relatively easy. Simply connect the LED strip light to the power supply, then connect the power supply to the wall outlet. Next, connect the dimmer to the power supply. Finally, turn on the power and adjust the dimmer to your desired brightness.
Worried about messing up the wiring in your walls? Don’t worry, there’s an alternative. You can use components that only draw power from a regular wall outlet.
If you are looking for a more discreet way to dim LED strip lights, consider using a low voltage PWM wall dimmer. A low voltage PWM wall dimmer is a small, in-wall dimmer that uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to dim LED lights.
To dim LED strip lights using a low voltage PWM wall dimmer, you will need a low voltage PWM wall dimmer, a non dimmable LED power supply (driver) and an LED strip.
The AC power of the lighting circuit connects to a constant voltage non dimmable driver, which converts the current into DC power either 12V or 24V whatever is compatible with the strip. Yes a NON dimmable driver or a dimmable one, it doesn’t matter as it will not be doing the dimming.
The DC power then connects to the PWM wall dimmer which by pulse width modulation allows for your adjustment of how much power is delivered to the LED strip and therefore how bright they are.
Once a very popular way to dim LED strip lights is by using a 0-10V signal to dimmer. A 0 to 10 volt (0–10V) this is an analog control of light output by varying the voltage applied to an LED fixture. A control pair of cables carry a variable signal from the 0-10V wall mounted dimmer switch to the power supply or driver, where 0V is 0% and 10V is 100%.
Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) is a communication protocol that allows lighting equipment to be controlled and monitored remotely.
Another popular way to dim LED strip lights is by using a remote control dimmer. Remote control dimmers are available as both wall-mounted and hand held devices. They work by sending a signal to a dimmer pack, which then sends power to the LED strip lights.
To dim LED strip lights using a remote control dimmer, you will need a remote control dimmer pack and an LED strip light kit. The remote control dimmer pack converts the signal from the remote into DC current that is compatible with LED strip lights. The LED strip light kit includes all the components you need to connect the LED strip lights to the remote control dimmer pack.
Once you have the correct components, setting up remote control dimming is easy. Simply connect the LED strip light kit to the remote control dimmer pack, then turn on the power and adjust the brightness with the remote control.
Learning how to dim LED strip lights is achieveable for anyone and can be done in a number of ways. We’ve shown you two main methods – TRIAC dimming and PWM wall mounted dimmers. No matter which method you choose, be sure to use components that are compatible with LED strip lights. And always consult a professional if you are unsure about how to safely install LED strip lights in your home.
Now that you know how to do it, get creative with your lighting and create the perfect atmosphere for your home or office!
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