Dimmable LED bulbs are becoming more and more popular as both LED bulbs in general become more prevalent, and the additional ability to dim your lighting becomes more recognised as having significant benefits.
Now imagine the scenario – you don’t yet have a dimmer switch or dimmable circuit, but you’re thinking of buying some dimmable LED bulbs.
With that in mind, can dimmable LED bulbs be used without a dimmer switch?
Let’s take a look.
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Can You Use Dimmable LED Bulbs Without a Dimmer Switch?
Yes, you can use dimmable LED bulbs without a dimmer switch. You won’t be able to utilise the dimmable function of the bulb, but it will still work on a non-dimmable circuit.
If you do not have a dimmer switch, it means you’re on a non-dimmable circuit. This means there is a constant flow of electrical energy going to the bulb, so it operates at the same brightness every time.
Dimmable LED bulbs, much like non-dimmable LED bulbs, are able to accept this constant flow of electrical energy, so will work as normal.
The only difference is that should the flow of electrical energy change (which it won’t on a non-dimmable circuit), the dimmable LED bulb would be able to accept that, too.
NOTE: Do NOT try to use non-dimmable LED bulbs with a dimmer switch. Non-dimmable LED bulbs expect a constant flow of electrical energy, and a dimmer switch will interrupt this flow, leading to flickering and potentially damage to both the bulb and the circuit itself.
How Do Dimmable LED Bulbs Work?
Dimmable LED bulbs work because they can accept varying levels of electrical energy, as opposed to non-dimmable LED bulbs which can only accept (and expect) a single level of electrical energy.
There are two ways to dim a dimmable LED bulb – analog dimming, and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) dimming.
Dimming LED Bulbs via Analog Dimming
Analog dimming is the simplest way to dim an LED bulb.
With analog dimming, you simply reduce the current being provided to the bulb, which reduces the amount of light the bulb can produce.
The level of current being provided is controlled via the dimmer switch, which you dial up and down depending on how much light you want the LED bulb to produce.
Lower current = less electrical energy supplied to the bulb, meaning less light produced.
Analog dimming is the same way you would dim a traditional incandescent bulb. An incandescent bulb produces light by heating a filament, which glows brighter the hotter it gets.
So, by reducing the current being sent to the bulb, the filament doesn’t get as hot, meaning less light is produced.
Dimming LED Bulbs via PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
The other way to dim LED bulbs is through Pulse Width Modulation.
Pulse Width Modulation works by varying how often the electrical energy being supplied to the bulb is (and isn’t) being supplied.
Essentially, it’s the process of quickly turning the power supply to the bulb off and on again. Where this is all happening in milliseconds though, you won’t be able to see it with the human eye. If you can, something isn’t working correctly.
For example – if you wanted your LED bulbs dimmed to 50%, through PWM you would have the electrical energy being sent to the bulb 50% of the time, while 50% of the time it’s shut off.
Equally, if you wanted the bulb dimmed to 25%, the bulb would be on for 25% of the time and off for 75% of the time.
How Do I Know if an LED Bulb is Dimmable?
You’ll know if an LED bulb is dimmable or not based on whether it is labelled with the dimmable symbol on the packaging and/or the bulb itself:
Below you can see an example of how that symbol can be found on the bulb.
As well as the labelling, the product listing (if you’re purchasing online) will clearly identify if it is dimmable or not.
But still, if you’re ever in doubt, look for the symbol!
Related Posts
- Do LED Bulbs Get Hot? [A Quick Guide]
- How to Dim LED Lights Without a Dimmer [A Quick Guide]
- Do LED Bulbs Flicker? [A Quick Guide]
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[…] Firstly, ensure the LED bulbs you purchase are labeled as dimmable. Non-dimmable LEDs on a dimmer circuit can cause operational issues, so you’ll want to avoid that mistake. We talk more about using dimmable LED bulbs on a dimmer circuit here. […]