Dimming with leading or trailing edge dimmer mechanisms.
When controlling LED fittings with leading or trailing edge (phase control) dimmer mechanisms, bear in mind that as these dimmers are loaded up, their dimming effect is diminished.
Most LED fittings will dim to about 20% of brightness (lumen output) the issue here is that the human eye does not see an 80% reduction in lux level as an 80% reduction in brightness.
Light output and brightness levels are subjective, but most people will see an 80% reduction in light output as about a 50% drop in brightness, so, by the time you are dimming at 50%, your customers will not be seeing an appreciable drop in brightness. Most Customers will see this as a 20% dimming effect.
For the installing tradesman it is best to flag these outcomes to your customer prior to installation and if need be, demonstrate this with a bench top setup.
You do not want to be at the end of your job and then start discussing these things with your customer.
This article was published on Saturday 26 November, 2011.
