Halogen vs. LED: A Comparative Study on Dimmer Compatibility for Dimmable Bulbs

Author:Admin      Publish time: August 7, 2023      Origin: Site

 

 

 

From the picture, we can get a result that you will get different dimming range with different LED bulbs even using a same dimmer, even all bulb are marked as dimmable solution ,but inside dimmable driver type are different, which will lead to some LED bulb will get near 100% brightness at a relatively low voltage（near 40V）, but others LED bulb will get 100% brightness in 240V, which shows a big difference.

 

Halogen dimmable bulbs always offer excellent dimming performance due to their incandescent-like technology. When voltage is reduced, the filament's temperature decreases gradually, providing smooth, continuous dimming. They have a linear dimming curve, no flickering, and better compatibility with traditional dimmers. Their simplicity and robustness result in a reliable and visually comfortable dimming experience. Halogen dimmable bulbs are preferred for their ease of use, natural dimming behavior, and ability to create the desired ambiance with precise light control.

 

Dimmable LED bulbs may encounter several issues. Some common problems include flickering, buzzing, limited dimming range, incompatible dimmer switches, and ghosting (a faint glow when the bulb is supposed to be off). These issues arise due to the complexity of LED technology, sensitivity to voltage changes, and differences in driver circuitry. Ensuring compatibility between dimmable LED bulbs and dimmer switches is crucial to achieve smooth and reliable dimming performance.

 

We can see the Gu10 LED bulb has a much shorter dimming range than other LED bulbs, it gets 100% brightness at relatively low voltage like 50V, this is we called “Switch-boost driver dimmable solution”, when you dimming these type of Dimmable LED bulb ,you will find it will have a very short dimming range ,and some end users customer are easily complain not good experience in use ,for this type dimmable solution driver, it will have another issue ,dimmer can’t turn off the bulb,means dimming range are not 0-100%,GU10 bulb will still have spark light when turned off the dimmer.

 

From the above picture, we can see Red color(Dimmable G9 LED bulb) and Black color(Filament LED bulb ) line are same line air dimmable solution LED bulb, but they also get a different dimming range and performance, can get longer dimming range and good dimming performance, End-users will have good experience with this type Dimmable LED bulb .

 

So customer always compliant that if we make dimmers works with switch boost driver dimmable LED bulb likes line air dimmable solution? Our answer are No ,as they are totally different working principles, if we make changes to fit for A bulb ,it will causes problems for B bulb, eg if we set dimmable range as per switch boost driver ,make sure it get 230 degree dimming range ,but we will meet problems for line air dimmable bulb ,when you dimming,the 0-180 degree ,the bulb without any brightness ,keep off all the time, customer will also have bad dimming experience ,so what we can do is try to get perfect balance for different type dimmable solutions under many testing and trial .

 

Can we expect LED dimmer supplier to make a dimmer that works nice with all LED bulb, same as incandescent dimmable bulb?

 

The internal design and electronic components of dimmable bulbs can affect their dimming performance,as we all know that there are many Factors like the bulb's driver circuitry, voltage regulation, and dimming control mechanisms can contribute to variations in dimming range when paired with the same dimmer

 

Different types of bulbs, such as incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), have distinct characteristics that affect their dimming performance. For example, incandescent bulbs are typically easier to dim smoothly across a wide range because their filaments respond directly to changes in voltage. On the other hand, certain types of CFLs and early generations of LEDs may have limited dimming capabilities due to their internal electronics

 

Due to the complexity of LED technology, sensitivity to voltage changes, and differences in driver circuitry, also Dimmable LED bulbs supplier will design their dimmable solution slightly different, which will lead to too many different dimmable LED bulb, that’s difficult so far ,but who knows for the future ?

 

To overcome these challenges, manufacturers need to carefully test and certify dimmable LED bulbs with specific dimmer switches to ensure compatibility. Some high-quality dimmable LED bulbs come with compatibility lists, indicating the recommended dimmer switches for optimal dimming performance. It is essential to consult the manufacturer's guidelines or seek professional advice to achieve satisfactory dimming results with dimmable LED bulbs.

 

So if you would like to customized a nice dimmer with great compatibility of your LED bulb, maybe send a list of your LED dimmable bulb to supplier is good way.

 

 

The incandescent dimmable bulb's working principle makes it relatively easier to achieve good dimming performance without flickering. The key factors contributing to this are as follows

Simplicity of the Filament: Incandescent bulbs operate based on a simple principle. When an electric current passes through the filament, it heats up and emits light. Dimming an incandescent bulb involves reducing the current flowing through the filament, which causes the filament's temperature to decrease, resulting in lower light output. This linear relationship between current and light output leads to smooth and continuous dimming without flickering.

Absence of Electronics: Unlike LED bulbs, incandescent bulbs do not rely on complex electronic driver circuits to regulate the current. LED drivers can sometimes cause compatibility issues with dimmer switches, leading to flickering or other dimming problems. Since incandescent bulbs lack such electronic components, they do not suffer from these compatibility issues, making dimming smoother and less prone to flickering.

Inertia of the Filament: The filament in an incandescent bulb has some inherent thermal inertia, which means it takes time to heat up or cool down. This characteristic helps in reducing the likelihood of flickering when dimming. Even if there are slight variations in the applied current, the filament's thermal inertia smoothes out the response, preventing flickering.

Filament Material: Incandescent bulbs are available in various filament materials, and some filament types are more suitable for dimming applications than others. For example, coiled tungsten filaments have been commonly used in incandescent bulbs and are known for their smooth dimming characteristics.

 

Overall, the simplicity of the incandescent bulb's working principle, the absence of complex electronics, and the filament's thermal characteristics contribute to the ease of achieving good dimming performance without flickering. However, it is important to note that incandescent bulbs are significantly less energy-efficient compared to LED bulbs, and the industry has been shifting towards LED technology due to its superior energy efficiency and longer lifespan.

 

However, it's essential to recognize that LED technology is continuously improving, and high-quality dimmable LED bulbs are now available with better dimming performance than earlier LED models. As LED technology advances, dimming capabilities are becoming more comparable to incandescent bulbs.

 

While incandescent bulbs may have advantages in dimming performance, they are significantly less energy-efficient compared to LED bulbs. LED bulbs consume less energy and have a longer lifespan, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective lighting option in the long run, despite some initial challenges with dimming compatibility.

 

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