Trailing Edge Vs. Leading Edge Dimmer
Author:Admin Publish time: April 6, 2023 Origin: Site
Lighting is a significant part and parcel of every place, whether commercial or residential. Hence, these days one of the most important aspects of lighting is that these are primarily backed with dimmers.
Previously, there was just a basic light that used to be turned on or off. There was no middle way in between. However, nowadays, LED as well as incandescent lights are backed with dimmers that help control light brightness according to your preferences.
Since the trends and lighting requirements are changing in all sectors, to keep up with them all kinds of dimmers are being floated in the markets to cater to every light fixture appropriately.
The two most common dimmers used primarily in offices and homes are trailing and leading-edge dimmers. They have different mechanisms of working and also have different pros and cons.
If you want to know more about these two types of dimmers, then check out this guide below. It comprises all the details followed by the main differences between these dimmers. So let's read below.
What is a Dimmer?
Dimmers are switches connected to the lights, which are used with dimmable lights and carry out the purpose of reducing the brightness of the light.
These dimmers are widely used with light fixtures today and allow users to change the brightness and intensity of the light according to their needs. These dimmers have been a source of ease for many commercial and residential spaces.
The process of dimming takes place when the waveform of voltage is changed, which is supplied to the light, and hence it helps decrease the intensity of light. Ensuring that the light fixtures are compatible with the dimmers you are using is imperative.
There are several kinds of dimmers, but the most opted are leading edge dimmers or trailing edge dimmers. These are also known as phase-cut dimmers, and they cut the power off, which is sent to the source to reduce their intensity.
These dimmers have their characteristics and compatibility with different kinds of light fixtures.
Trailing-Edge Dimmer and its Working Mechanism
The trailing edge dimmers are such a kind that they are used with electronic drivers. These dimers have a very low minimum load, and they do not lead to rushing the current and voltage in the source of light.
These dimmers are suitable for low-powered lighting circuits and are highly compatible with LEDs.
When a trailing edge dimmer is used with LED, the maximum load percentage must be kept in mind, as in this case, the load is the utmost 10% of the power wattage of the LED fixture.
As far as the working mechanism of the trailing edge dimmer is concerned, they use trailing edge phase cutting technology in which the half-wave cycle is being cut, and hence it causes lesser flickering and noise production.
Pros and Cons of Trailing Edge Dimmer
Pros of Trailing Edge Dimmers
Trailing edge dimmers have been quite popular because they offer exceptional advantages and may sometimes surpass the leading edge dimmers. They are smooth, silent, and suitable for all kinds of places. However, there are some more advantages of these dimmers that are discussed below:
The Minimum Load is Low
Trailing edge dimmers are highly compatible with LED lights because they offer a very low minimum load capacity. Hence, when it comes to powering LEDs, these dimmers are capable of working with them causing no distortion, hence, you can very comfortably use them with maximum LED lights.
One of the reasons the trailing edge dimmers are used in association with LED light fixtures is that they do not cause any flickering or noise production, which is observed with leading edge dimmers.
Exceptional Compatibility
Trailing edge dimmers offer compatibility with almost all kinds of lighting fixtures. They can even recognize the point when the light is turned on and even self-adjust the brightness.
These could be called universal dimmers; when used with LED lights, they have the ability to preserve the long-lasting life of the LED lights.
There are multiple features of trailing edge dimmers that make them suitable for light fixtures, they offer a very soft start followed by silent running, and the controlling of this dimmer is also very smooth. Hence, they have the ability to last longer and allow the LEDs to have no wear and tear with an extended lifespan.
Since the trailing edge dimmers are compatible with LED drivers that can retain the excellent glow of LED lights even after being dimmed, they offer a 100 percent dimming capability range.
Cons of Trailing Edge Dimmers
Trailing edge dimmers are expensive compared to leading edge dimmers, which is one reason many people might think before investing in them if they want multiple dimmers. However, they offer better efficiency in the long run, but their cost is high.
Leading Edge Dimmer and its Working Mechanism
Leading edge dimmers are mostly used with either halogen lamps or incandescent lights; this dimmer creates a very stable and rapid voltage within the circuit of light and helps ensure that the current in the light source has been sent by stabilizing it within the circuit.
Moreover, the leading edge dimmer is not as silent as the trailing edge dimmer, and it even depends on the quality you opt for and the load it provides
.
The leading edge dimmer works by cutting the leading edge of the half-wave cycle, and the AC voltage is reduced this way. This kind of working mechanism is suitable for incandescent lights, but it causes flickering and noise for LEDs.
Pros and Cons of Leading Edge Dimmer
Pros of Leading Edge Dimmers
Leading edge dimmers have been in use for a long time but these days, trailing edge dimmers have been taking over them. However, some reasons still make leading-edge dimmers suitable to choose.
Low Cost
Leading-edge dimmers are in use much earlier than the trailing edge dimmers, and are popular with incandescent bulbs. They are low-cost dimmers; therefore, when an ample quantity of dimmers is needed, for instance, in commercial spaces, these dimmers could be a great choice.
Simple Dimming Technique
Leading edge dimmers are much simpler than trailing edge dimmers because they use TRIAC dimming, which is a very straightforward procedure and supports multiple lights, including incandescent halogen bulbs, etc.
Cons of Leading Edge Dimmers
As there are pros of leading-edge dimmers, some cons give trailing-edge dimmers an upper edge against them. These dimers have a high minimum load, which is incompatible with LED lights.
These days LED lights are opted for in most commercial and residential ones. Hence, the incompatibility of these dimmers with LEDs is a concern; therefore, they are usually not opted for.
On the other hand, they are not as silent and flicker-free as the trailing edge dimmers, which is also one reason that makes them unsuitable for opting them.
Applications of Leading Edge and Trailing Edge Dimmers
Leading edge dimmers specifically are created to be used for incandescent bulbs and halogen lamps. If the LED lights are specifically designed to appear compatible with the leading edge dimmers, these can be used for them too.
On the other hand, when it comes to trailing edge dimmers, they are exclusively designed to work with all kinds of LED light fixtures, no matter if they are LED downlights or LED lamps.
Which Dimmer is the Best Choice?
If you compare both the dimmers, that is, the leading edge dimmer and the trailing edge dimmer, the two have their pros and cons. However, since these days energy efficient lighting techniques and fixtures are opted for, the trailing edge dimmers are ideal to choose.
Leading-edge dimmers are used widely but only with incandescent and halogen lights. Some LEDs are designed in a way that they are compatible with leading-edge dimmers but only a little.
Hence, it is recommended to opt for LED lighting fixtures followed by trailing edge dimmers as it is suitable for the environment as a whole and reduces electricity consumption and costs.
Hence, when LED lights are chosen, the trailing edge dimmers are a better dimming source. Trailing edge dimmers are also suitable for the durability of LED light fixtures because they don't flicker nor create any noise with the LED lights.
Moreover, you must also keep a check on the load capacity of the dimmer. If you use a high-wattage light, you will need a dimmer to handle a high-capacity load and vice versa.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dimmer switch for your LED fixtures is one of the most important considerations that must always be addressed. Hence, if you are looking forward to the right LED dimmer supplier, you must get in touch with Saco Lighting.
We provide high-quality, affordable LED Dimmer switches as we are a keen supporter of ensuring environmental friendliness and ease of use for our clients.
LED lights are always good for the environment, and compatible dimmers are also necessary. If you are also looking for these dimmers, contact us today and get a hold of your selection.