Read on for an overview of what to keep in mind when choosing the correct dimmer switch for your home. Varilight V-Pro 120W LED 1 Dimmer Switch

Dimmers work by simply reducing the voltage supplied to the lamp, which in turn reduces the light output from the light bulb. There are many types of light bulbs and capsule lamps that can be dimmed but the requirements for each type can vary. If you select the wrong type of dimmer it may not work, could lead to reduced lamp life or even blow the dimmer or light fitting in extreme circumstances. Benefits Of Using Dimmer Switches In Your Home

Compatibility: Works with resistive or capacitive loads by reducing the load by shortening the A/C cycle at the input waveform’s trailing edge. The Kasa app works with both Android and iPhone, and it allows you to operate the switch remotely as long as you have internet access, so you technically don’t even need anything but this switch and your phone to get started. It does work with both Alexa and Google Home though, so you can operate the switch with voice commands if you have a compatible smart speaker. Smart home integration also lets you include the switch in daily routines, like turning the lights on or adjusting the illumination level at dusk.

Compatibility: Works with resistive or inductive loads by reducing the load by shortening the A/C cycle at the input waveform’s leading edge. Leading edge dimmers are compatible with resistive or inductive loads and are able to reduce the load by shortening the A/C cycle at the leading edge of the input waveform, hence the term ‘Leading Edge’. The best of these are marketed as ‘intelligent dimmers’ and feature soft-start and overload protection to improve the life span of both the lamps and the dimmer. If you mistakenly connect too many lights or transformers to an intelligent dimmer it will protect itself from failure by turning the lights down or off until the load is corrected. They are commonly used to dim most electronic low voltage transformers (ELV) with capacitive loads on the primary circuit. Trailing edge dimmers can also be used to dim incandescent, halogen and LED lamps effectively. They should not be used on older type of magnetic core and coil wire-wound or toroidal transformers.

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The most important requirement when installing a dimmer switch is a neutral wire, because a lot of modern dimmers require a neutral wire. Homes built prior to 1985 typically won’t have a neutral wire unless the wiring has been updated and brought up to code, so this is an important consideration. However, these attributes can pose a challenge when selecting the correct dimmer switches. For instance, if you are trying to dim a small number of LED lamps, the total wattage might not be sufficient to load the dimmer. Common Uses For Trailing Edge Dimmers: They are often used to dim electronic low voltage transformers (ELV) with capacitive loads on the primary circuit. Additionally, trailing edge dimmers can effectively dim incandescent, halogen, and LED lamps