Magnetic low voltage dimmer for led lights

#Magnetic low voltage dimmer for led lights install#
#Magnetic low voltage dimmer for led lights full#

Consequently, it will not oscillate and subsequently it cannot transform the volts. If there is no load on the electronic transformer's output, there will be insufficient energy to drive the oscillator feedback toroid. This energy goes through a tiny feedback toroid transformer and is cleverly used to drive the base terminal of the power transistors, directly driving the oscillation. Why do electronic transformers sometimes have a minimum load?ДЄs described next (and more in-depth in my previous article) the self oscillating part of the circuit is driven by the surge of energy caused by the load it's supplying. Be careful not to also get caught out by a minimum load requirement of the dimmer switch.You must confirm that all the components have the dimmable feature as it is not implied. So dimming will only work if all components in the circuit have that feature, ie dimmer switch, dimmable electronic transformer and dimmable LED.But normal rules apply and you should use the manufacturer's instructions and guidance for their products.ДЄgain, if you want a dimming feature it will be necessary to get an LED that is compatible with dimming, thus allowing it to be dimmed. I have neither seen this nor heard this from an LED 12V GU5.3 replacement manufacturer as yet. I have heard 'Internet' talk that the high frequency output of the electronic transformer could damage the diodes in an LED.

Otherwise you will need to get either a dedicated supply for LEDs or another electronic transformer that is capable of running from a 0 watt load (ie no load). The combination of the Halogen and LED bulbs, ensures that the minimum load requirement is met and the electronic transformer operates properly.

Due to the way the voltage is generated internally within the electronic transformer, it is unlikely to damage the LED if it fails to meet the minimum load requirement.ДЄ workaround, if your electronic transformer has a minimum load and it is feeding several light fittings but the sum of the LEDs alone does not reach this minimum value, then you can have one light fitting as a standard halogen bulb and all the other bulbs as LED lights.

Sometimes this insufficient loading manifests itself as a pronounced flickering effect or more usually nothing. Regarding the requirement of the electronic transformer: explained later in this post, insufficient load will cause intermittent operation of the electronic transformer, if it is below its 'stated' minimum load.

#Magnetic low voltage dimmer for led lights full#

The separate rectifying diodes enable the LED to use the energy of the alternating current over the full cycle, as opposed to only half of it, reducing the possibility of any disturbing flicker.

Note that an LED is actually a diode in its own right, as it's name suggests, and so would naturally half wave rectify in its own right anyway.

I can only assume I've either missed something or the resellers are trying to cover their backs. Certainly the 12V supplies do not have polarisation marking or keyed connectors that I've seen. Normally GU5.3 bulbs have no polarisation markings, indicating that the rectifying diodes must be incorporated within the LED bulb package casing.

#Magnetic low voltage dimmer for led lights install#

I did not install the switch and am not an electrician, so donвЂ™t know installation details.I have known resellers to state that some LEDs are 12V DC but I have yet to see a 12V DC LED in the GU5.3 format. Is it possible the buzz is caused by incorrect installation of the switch? The switch appears to be working correctly other than causing the transformer to buzz. If you installed a smart dimmer switch that did not cause magnetic transformers to buzz, which one was it? But when it was installed, it caused the transformer to buzz.

I bought a Cooper Aspire RF9540-NAW dimmer switch to test, because it indicates it is rated for magnetic low voltage loads, as well as other load types (incandescent, electronic low voltage, etc). I plan to replace the dimmer switches with smart dimmer switches to integrate with SmartThings. I have an existing ten year old lighting system that uses Tech Lighting magnetic transformers, dimmable LED lamps, and Lutron dimmer switches that appear to be from their вЂњDivaвЂќ line. I would appreciate input from anyone who has installed Z wave dimmer switches with a low voltage lighting system with magnetic transformers.