What type of dimmer switch do I need

tombrown

I have a 2 gang dimmer switch in my hall.



One of them controls the hall light - a central chandelier type light with 10 Halogen G9 28W bulbs; it is the only switch for that light


The other controls the stair & landing lights, which are 5 recessed spots, with the old GU10 (50W) bulbs. For these lights there are two other switches upstairs (so 3 in total).


I think I have, by now, bought up Ireland's supply of the old 50W GU10 bulbs, so I need to switch to LEDs, which means I will need to change out the dimmer switches, I believe. I am 95% sure that the dimmer switch installed was not for dimmable LEDs.


So other than buy a 2 gang LED Dimmer switch, what are the other things I need to consider (1-way, 2-way, power ratings?).


While I am OK to swap out all the GU10 bulbs for LEDs, ideally, I would prefer to keep the 10 Halogen G9 bulbs in the chandelier, as they seem to last forever; if I have to swap them out for LEDs I can, but prefer not to if possible

aido79

tombrown wrote: »

I have a 2 gang dimmer switch in my hall.



One of them controls the hall light - a central chandelier type light with 10 Halogen G9 28W bulbs; it is the only switch for that light


The other controls the stair & landing lights, which are 5 recessed spots, with the old GU10 (50W) bulbs. For these lights there are two other switches upstairs (so 3 in total).


I think I have, by now, bought up Ireland's supply of the old 50W GU10 bulbs, so I need to switch to LEDs, which means I will need to change out the dimmer switches, I believe. I am 95% sure that the dimmer switch installed was not for dimmable LEDs.


So other than buy a 2 gang LED Dimmer switch, what are the other things I need to consider (1-way, 2-way, power ratings?).


While I am OK to swap out all the GU10 bulbs for LEDs, ideally, I would prefer to keep the 10 Halogen G9 bulbs in the chandelier, as they seem to last forever; if I have to swap them out for LEDs I can, but prefer not to if possible

You will most likely need to get a trailing edge dimmer but some LEDs will work with a triac or leading edge dimmer. Either will work with the halogens but you just need to decide what LEDs you are going to use and get a dimmer to suit them.
You can only put one dimmer on a 2 way circuit so need to worry about that. LEDs use very little power so your only concern in regards to power ratings will be the halogens.

aido79

aido79 wrote: »

You can only put one dimmer on a 2 way circuit so need to worry about that.

I have 2 way dimmers from varilight!

tombrown

aido79 wrote: »

You will most likely need to get a trailing edge dimmer but some LEDs will work with a triac or leading edge dimmer. Either will work with the halogens but you just need to decide what LEDs you are going to use and get a dimmer to suit them.
You can only put one dimmer on a 2 way circuit so need to worry about that. LEDs use very little power so your only concern in regards to power ratings will be the halogens.

Thanks

So should I get 2 gang 2-way ?

aido79

BrownFinger wrote: »

I have 2 way dimmers from varilight!

Have you got 2 of on a 2 way circuit?

aido79

tombrown wrote: »

Thanks

So should I get 2 gang 2-way ?

Yes. Most switches are 2 way by default.

alan4cult

You can also get a grid switch if you want to have dimmers of different ratings on the plate to meet the halogen demand.

Grid switches a bit uglier but by no means a no go.

tombrown

Thanks for all the input

Forgive the dumb question, but -

If I get a dimmer rated for more than 280W (to accommodate the halogens) is there any disadvantage for the LEDs on the other switch (or even when I eventually replace the halogens with LEDs)? Will the lowest dim setting be brighter than it would be with a lower rated dimmer?

aido79

aido79 wrote: »

Yes. Most switches are 2 way by default.

Yes I've 2 on a two way .
The are digital.
A master and a slave setup.
Both can control independently of the others setting.

alan4cult

tombrown wrote: »

Thanks for all the input

Forgive the dumb question, but -

If I get a dimmer rated for more than 280W (to accommodate the halogens) is there any disadvantage for the LEDs on the other switch (or even when I eventually replace the halogens with LEDs)? Will the lowest dim setting be brighter than it would be with a lower rated dimmer?

Not sure, but a grid switch solves this problem. You can have two different rated dimmers on the same switch.

tombrown

Thanks - I'd prefer not to have to o with a grid switch if possible, but its an option to consider I am sure

One other dumb question - will the power ratign for a 2 gang dimmer be divided between the two circuits or is it full per circuti? i.e. for a 300W 2 gang dimmer can I run two sets of 300W lights or two sets of 150W?

2011

BrownFinger wrote: »

Yes I've 2 on a two way .
The are digital.
A master and a slave setup.
Both can control independently of the others setting.

Interesting, I was wondering how you did this.
Do you have a link?

2011

tombrown wrote: »

One other dumb question - will the power ratign for a 2 gang dimmer be divided between the two circuits or is it full per circuti? i.e. for a 300W 2 gang dimmer can I run two sets of 300W lights or two sets of 150W?

The issue is heat. So I would expect that a given device (or module) or space can only handle up to a specific load regardless of how many circuits. So 300W is the sum total.

bobbyy gee

you need a nuteral at switch and earth wire
i would try original dimmers but they also make led dimmers

2011

2011 wrote: »

Interesting, I was wondering how you did this.
Do you have a link?

Here is a link to the master units

https://www.varilight.co.uk/configurator/product.php?code=JQI401

They are available in 2 gang (what i have) and different finishes .
They can also be switched via IR from your TV remote.
Leading or trailing edge setting also.