Why do LED GU10 Lamps Flicker on a dimmer switch?

[Neilhardy66]

I recently change some Gu10 lamps to LED ones that are switched by a dimmer and they flicker intermitently on various but not all dimmer levels.
Any ideas why?

 

[TAZ]

Dimmer might not be compatible with the new lamps

 

[Neilhardy66]

What kind of dimmer would i need?
Do you get ones just for LED's?

 

[Hawk81]

Better way to put it is your LED lamps might not be dimmable?

 

[steve-aka-g]

you get dimmale LED GU10s, they are slightly more expensive than standard LED GU10s

 

[Neilhardy66]

They are dimmable LED lamps

 

[monkeyelectric]

You need a trailing edge dimmer

 

[Hawk81]

What rating is your current dimmer? Some need a minimum load to work properly. Ie 100w you might need a dimmer that works on lower wattage

 

[Neilhardy66]

So Trailing edge dimmer switches are for LEDS?

 

[monkeyelectric]

So Trailing edge dimmer switches are for LEDS?

Certainly is

 

[Neilhardy66]

Certainly is

thanks

 

[monkeyelectric]

thanks

No problem! Don't be afraid to hit that thanks button

 

[chris@expert]

Just choosing a random trailing edge dimmer switch won't necessarily stop the flickering. You need to get the right combination of LED and dimmer switch for them to work - flicker free. This is easier said than done and its like a lottery sometimes. The lighting manufactures are constantly change their LEDs and the switch companies are constantly changing their dimmers.

The minimum and maximum load also need considering so you also need to know what the true rating is for the LED. A Philips 6W GU10 should be treated as 21W on trailing edge circuits due to current spikes, this can only be calculated using an oscilloscope. However on leading edge circuits its classed as 120W.

The Varilight V-Pro dimmers work well with many LEDs but the performance depends on which batch code you get. Varilight change them regularly, one minute they work, the next minute they flicker.

************************
Chris Horridge
Downlights | LED Downlights, Bulbs & LED Strip Lighting

 

[Jaycee]

Aurora dimmers are good with led lamps

 

[partypest]

I have several different sorts in my kitchen, I'm trialling them before I start recommending them. Some work off standard tran, others not and like the other chap said, it's a bit of a lottery at the moment. Some of the cheaper lamps are prone to a 25Hz flicker from time to time. SimplyLED are one of the most reliable suppliers I've used. Hopefully the marketplace will settle soon and we'll have some standards to work with.