What Are The Different Types Of Dimmer Switches?

Many homeowners are drawn to dimmer switches because they provide any lighting options in one switch. Understandably, many of those homeowners are left confused about the difference between the variety of dimmer switches available.

The three main types of dimmer switches are resistive, fluorescent, and inductive dimmers. Resistive dimmers are used for lamps with a filament, inductive dimmers for LED lights, and fluorescent dimmers for fluorescent lights. Dimmer controllers include slide dimmer with or without a preset switch, tap, and rocker dimmers.

In this article, we will talk about the different types of dimmers as well as the different types of controls. That way, if you decide to get one for your home, you know strictly what to look for and know which ones are compatible with your particular light setup.

Chances are that you’ve seen a dimmer switch once or twice in your life. They’re commonly found in bathrooms and dining rooms. The control for a dimmer is like a little sliding lever that you can use to increase or decrease the brightness for lighting in a room. It’s also known as ‘mood lighting’. These are great if you want to have a nice romantic dinner with your significant other, or if the bathroom is too light in the mornings, you can turn the lighting down a bit.

Resistive dimmers are meant for lights that contain filament and are split into two categories. There are leading-edge resistive dimmers and trailing edge resistive dimmers. Leading-edge dimmers are the ones that you are likely most familiar with. You can use leading-edge dimmers with everything from transformers powering 12V lamps and constant current LEDs to halogen and incandescent lights.

When you are looking for leading-edge dimmers, you’ll notice they are rated by maximum wattage for lights that it can dim. The last thing that you want to do is pair a leading-edge dimmer with a light source that has higher wattage than what is recommended. Resistive dimmers help lights have longer lives as they don’t overexert the lamp.

Fluorescent dimmers are explicitly meant for dimming fluorescent lights. They are more complicated than the alternatives due to the nature of fluorescent lamps themselves. For example, you need a 1-10V regulated ballast if you want to use a fluorescent dimmer to effectively dim a fluorescent bulb. Unlike resistive dimmers, fluorescent dimmers don’t do anything to extend the life span of bulbs.

That isn’t because fluorescent dimmers are less effective than resistive dimmers; it is just that fluorescent bulbs are more finicky. Fluorescent bulbs are quite responsive to fluorescent dimmers, which makes them great for creating ambiance.

You can even dim some LED lights with fluorescent lights. If the LED light in question is powered by a 230V LED driver. Of course, not all LED lights are even dimmable, and of course, not all of them will have a constant current 230V LED driver.

Slide dimmers with preset switches are easy to use as they have an on and off switch as well as slide control. You simply adjust the “slide” handle to increase or decrease the light in the room. The preset switch allows for you to turn it on or off no matter what level the slide handle is at. Slide dimmers without preset controls are only different in that they have no on/off switch.

Turning off a slide dimmer without a preset switch is as easy as turning the dimmer all the way down. In general, slide dimmers without a switch are cheaper than the other options out there.

Plug-in dimmers are a simple and affordable alternative to the main dimmer types detailed above. For less than $20 or even $15, you can find plug-in dimmers that allow you to turn your lamps into dimmable light sources.

Not everyone wants to or can afford to have dimmable lights put into their house, and plug-in dimmers offer an affordable solution to that. Many people find that plug-in dimmers work great for desk lamps or bedside tables.

Plug-in dimmers come with a control that is typically styled like a slide dimmer. Affordable and easy to use, plug-in dimmers can save you a fortune on rewiring and reconfiguring lights.

Halogen bulbs are more compatible with different dimmers than LED bulbs are. LED bulbs are compatible with many dimmers as well. However, if you put a non-dimmable LED bulb in a dimming socket, then you may damage the bulb. If you want to dim an LED bulb fully, you need to find a resistive, fluorescent, or other dimmer wired to handle LED bulbs.

Pairing an LED light with dimming circuitry that is not meant to handle it can damage the lights and the dimming system. Trailing edge dimmers are perfect for LEDs as well. For halogen lights, it is best to use leading-edge dimmers. Before incandescent light bulbs were phased out, they also worked best with leading-edge dimmers.

If you have doubts about whether your halogen or LED bulbs are compatible with a particular dimmer, consult an electrician. Using the wrong bulb can limit the range of dimmable light or even potentially damage the entire bulb and installation.

Not only are you able to implore some fantastic mood lighting, but dimmers also save you on energy costs! This is because the bulbs aren’t functioning at full capacity, which means less power is running through the lines. So, upon installing dimmers, you can expect lower electric bills.

So, if you ever wonder whether or not leaving the light on is warranted or not, with a dimmer, that’s not a battle you’ll have to face any longer. Using a dimmer switch, you can lower the light to where it’s barely there or turn it on full blast. There is no more one or the other… You have a variety of choices in between.

There are many types of dimmer switches that each is best suited for different functions. The same can be said for dimmer control types, and each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. If you have bulbs containing filament, try to stick with leading or trailing edge resistive dimmers. Be sure always to prioritize checking the maximum wattage. If you overload our dimmer and electronics, you could fry the bulb or even the whole system.

When it comes to the type of dimmer control type you choose, it is mostly a matter of personal taste. If you want high tech ease of use, go with digital or electronic tap dimmers or even multiway dimmers for remote dimming. If you want to save money and forego the rewiring, invest under $20 in a plug-in dimmer. Otherwise, you won’t regret having new dimming lights put in your home. Dimmable lights create a great mood, keep your lights alive for longer, and are easy to use.