Why are 'most' LED dimmer switches limited to 10 led's?

[HappyHippyDad]

As in the title.

The varilight V-pro and MK intelligent dimmer both say they can dim up to a maximum of 10 LED's. Why can they dim no more, even if the maximum wattage is not reached? I can find no explanation on their sites.

Zano produce a dimmer which can dim a much higher amount of LED's, what's the difference?

I need to dim 26 x 5 watt led's on a 2 gang dimmer (white). Each gang has 13 LED's. The Zano Zlineled will do this but I'm wondering if there are any others as it's fairly expensive?

Cheers all..

 

[rugbyspark1]

I believe the V-Pro goes to 150W but there is also a 200W. Its all down to cost !.

 

[Rpa07]

You could test it for us with the V-Pro Happy! Then we’ll all know that we can push the boundaries - go on, do it and report back. It’s only 3 more, what can go wrong?
I wonder though whether it’s down to the individual circuitry all adding up - so you could have 10 x 15 floods (150watt Max) but can’t have 30 x5 watts because of the additional circuitry.
I love electricity but it still remains a mystery to me!

 

[mattg4321]

Think it's to do with inrush current.

Generally I think in the real world having 11 good quality 7 watt downlights would likely be no problem at all

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

As in the title.

The varilight V-pro and MK intelligent dimmer both say they can dim up to a maximum of 10 LED's. Why can they dim no more, even if the maximum wattage is not reached? I can find no explanation on their sites.

Zano produce a dimmer which can dim a much higher amount of LED's, what's the difference?

I need to dim 26 x 5 watt led's on a 2 gang dimmer (white). Each gang has 13 LED's. The Zano Zlineled will do this but I'm wondering if there are any others as it's fairly expensive?

Cheers all..

It could be due to the inrush current at switch on. Having said that, the Varilight V Pro we had in the kitchen had a very annoying soft start, so perhaps not. It got swapped out for a switch pretty quick!

 

[haptism]

The zano ones that bing a lot of lamps have an additional black box thing, the varilight dimmers are just the plate and switch.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Think it's to do with inrush current.

Generally I think in the real world having 11 good quality 7 watt downlights would likely be no problem at all

Yes, that makes sense regarding the in rush current, thanks.

You could test it for us with the V-Pro Happy! Then we’ll all know that we can push the boundaries - go on, do it and report back. It’s only 3 more, what can go wrong?
I wonder though whether it’s down to the individual circuitry all adding up - so you could have 10 x 15 floods (150watt Max) but can’t have 30 x5 watts because of the additional circuitry.
I love electricity but it still remains a mystery to me!

I'm tempted . I have a 2 gang v pro at home I could take down and try!
However, just because it works once or twice doesnt mean it'll last. I bet it would be fine though.

 

[Rpa07]

I like the varilight dimmers as it brings dimming LEDs into the domestic budget, they have the intelligent programming which has helped in the past. Haven’t yet needed to try Zano but the price difference is enormous.

 

[buzzlightyear]

VARILIGHT Dimmers LED Lighting
VARILIGHT Online Catalogue - https://www.varilight.co.uk › led › dimm...

 

[Midwest]

I recall replacing a varilight dimmer on an existing install, where it had banks of 10 or so LED lights, and the dimmer got fried. Replaced it with one which ‘accepted’ up to 20 or so? Perhaps have a closer look at the varilight web site.

 

[Marvo]

I'd also go with inrush current or maybe phase angle (power factor). Problem would be that dimmer manufacturers have no control over the quality of the lamps they're dimming.

Cheap lamps have no inrush current prevention or PF correction so they're a hostile load to have to drive from a dimmers point of view.

I'd probably be inclined to push the lamp limit higher than stated (number of lamps, not rated wattage) if the lamps were high quality like Enlite for example.

 

[snowhead]

Dimmer manufacturers like any other manufacturer will have done comprehensive testing.

They will have tested lots of combinations of LED from lots of different manufacturers and determined what they think is a safe reliable limit for their own Dimmers.
Others manufacturers will have different ideas on the limits they apply even if the circuitry is identical.

It's not that MK can't dim more that 10, they just won't guarantee it.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'd also go with inrush current or maybe phase angle (power factor). Problem would be that dimmer manufacturers have no control over the quality of the lamps they're dimming.

Cheap lamps have no inrush current prevention or PF correction so they're a hostile load to have to drive from a dimmers point of view.

I'd probably be inclined to push the lamp limit higher than stated (number of lamps, not rated wattage) if the lamps were high quality like Enlite for example.

Thanks Marvo,
The lamps actually are enlite