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If, like an increasing number of people, you've decided to switch to dimmable LED lighting, you may be unsure of the other changes you might need to make.

Whilst LED lights and bulbs are undoubtedly the way forward in terms of cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency, they do work in a very different way to traditional light bulbs, requiring a much lower voltage in comparison.

Traditional bulbs use a lot more electricity, which is great news in one way, however, it also means that dimmable LEDs probably won’t function correctly with your existing dimmer switches.

Ordinary, run-of-the-mill leading edge dimmer switches have a minimum load of about 40 watts and, for a 50-watt halogen bulb, this isn’t a problem, but what about an LED such as the EnerJ 7W GU10 LED Dimmable Spotlight Bulb, 500lm?

If you work it out, you would need to connect at least ten of these bulbs to a single traditional dimmer switch to ensure that it functioned correctly. Attempt the operation with any less, and you could experience problems.

There are many different types of dimmable LED bulb to be had, including the aforementioned GU10, as well as those with E14, E27, B15 and B22 fittings, so you’ll definitely find one to suit your lighting requirements.

To avoid running into compatibility issues and potentially damaging your LED bulbs, it’s highly recommended that you change to an LED-friendly, trailing edge dimmer switch.

These are designed to manage the low energy requirements of LEDs and supply the appropriate voltage and current.

Don’t worry, because there’s a wide variety of this type of switch available. From the conventional look and feel of the Rotary Dimmer Switch to Vpro LED Switches and Touch Dimmers, which retain the aesthetic qualities of traditional switches.

Giant technological strides have also been achieved by forward-thinking company LightwaveRF. It has introduced an innovative range of dimmer switches and plug sockets that will enable you to control your lighting from anywhere in the world via the home automation system.

Should you experience any problems when you’re switching to dimmable LED lighting, we recommend that you consult a qualified electrician.

If you’d like a chat about anything else LED lighting-related, why not give our customer service department a call today on 0116 321 4120.

Or, if you’d prefer, you can send us an e-mail enquiry to cs@wled.co.uk.