Can low voltage LED lights be dimmed?
No longer do you have to use a separate low voltage transformer with an inline 120V dimmer to dim your landscape lighting system. those lights are now dimmable. There are some limitations to this switch, so please know the limits of the switch before installing one of these on your landscape lighting projects.
What is a electronic low voltage dimmer?
Electronic Low Voltage (ELV) Dimmers were originally designed to control Electronic Low Voltage Transformers used in low voltage (12V) MR16 type fixtures. ELV dimmers and transformers are more expensive but offer quieter operation, better control and tend to last longer than Magnetic Low Voltage Transformers (MLV).
How does an electronic low voltage dimmer work?
An ELV dimmer works like this: the electrical load is turned off at the end, or trailing edge, of the Alternating Current (AC) waveform. Resistive and capacitive loads are compatible with an ELV dimmer precisely because of its trailing-edge functionality.
Do I need a low voltage dimmer?
If your lights run on line voltage – the standard voltage supply in your home (120V), or low voltage – a reduced supply (12V or 24V), you’ll need a dimmer that runs on the same. For line voltage systems, you can use a standard, basic dimmer.
Can you use a 120v dimmer switch for 12V?
Yes, you can use a 120v switch for a 12v application. The 120v is the max voltage rating of the switch, which states that it can handle voltages up to 120 volts.
Can you use a regular dimmer for LED lights?
A standard dimmer switch cannot be used with an LED light as you will never be able to dim the LED light either completely or not very well. LED lights need their own special electronic dimmer switch to have a fully functioning and dimming light.
What does a LUT MLC do?
The LUT-MLC load adapter is provided to help ensure proper operation of the switch with LED, CFL, fluorescent, and ELV lighting loads. When controlling one of these load types, a LUT-MLC may be required, especially at lower wattages.
How do I choose a light dimmer switch?
Choose a dimmer with a wattage rating that meets or exceeds the total wattage of all the light bulbs the dimmer will control. For example, if the dimmer controls a fixture with ten 75-watt bulbs, you need a dimmer rated for 750 watts or higher.
Do dimmers reduce lumens?
Bulbs with logarithmic dimming curves dial the lumens down much faster than their linear counterparts, and that leaves less room for differentiation at the bottom of the scale.