Leading and trailing edge control of LED dimming

Dimmable LED retrofit light sources and LED-based lighting fixtures have long been considered a problem when dimming in the form of leading and trailing edge control is desired. Often, however, there are no problems with DALI and 1-10V. There are two ways in which LED lights can be dimmed when it comes to dimming the current.

The surge in sales of LED retrofit light sources is being driven by the sharp drop in prices. The quality and range of LED lamps has increased in recent years, but there are still some challenges in this area, as LED dimming is not always straightforward. It can be difficult to be sure that a new LED retrofit lamp can replace an old incandescent lamp and still work with the old dimmer. That's why it's important to check the specifications of both the new LED lamp and the dimmer.

For many, dimming is an important feature in the living room and above the dining table, and many people also want the option of dimming in the bathroom. In addition, dimming LED lights can often extend the life of the lamp significantly.

Rear edge control - electronic dimmer

The trailing edge dimmer came on the market much later than the leading edge dimmer, but since the halogen bulb was introduced, the trailing edge dimmer has been the most popular.

The trailing edge dimmer can handle electronic components. It is multifunctional and can dim both low-voltage halogen lamps with electronic ballast, LED retrofit lamps, energy-saving light bulbs and other light sources with electronic ballast. The trailing edge dimmer is designed for a capacitive load and does not fit perfectly with high amperage, but it will dim the light without annoying noises.

Leading edge control - triac dimmer

Edge control is commonly used with incandescent lamps and core transformers when dimming halogen lamps. Leading edge control creates a fast and stable current in the circuit and also stabilizes the current in the circuit directly to the light source.

The front-controlled dimmer is not as silent as the rear-controlled dimmer. However, the sound depends on the quality of the dimmer and whether the minimum load is exceeded.

The best dimmer for LED lights

When looking for the perfect dimmer for LED, it is necessary to look at the specifications of both the light source and transformer as well as the dimmer.

The rear dimmer is the most popular dimmer for LED light sources, but many LED lamps are designed for use in existing installations, so manufacturers often produce LED lamps that can be used with a front dimmer.

So the short answer when it comes to finding the perfect dimmer for LED retrofit lights is that most LED lights can be dimmed with both solutions, but the trailing edge dimmer can provide more stable dimming of LED lights compared to the leading edge dimmer.