Philips EnduraLED™ PAR indoor reflectors - Not for use with Dimmers?!?

[MSaxatilus]

Does anyone know why Philips new EnduraLED™ PAR indoor reflectors as seen here, cannot be used with dimmer switches?

Its a great leap forward in lighting technology and the color rendition is fantastic. However, why would they build such a replacement unit that cannot be used with a dimmer switch? Seems odd to me.

Any technical reasons why this unit cannot be used with a dimmer? :shrug:

MSax

 

[Dave_H]

If an expensive AC LED bulb doesn't claim to be dimmable
I would assume it is not. Dimming capability adds cost and
given the low intensity of most consumer LED lamps, many people
would not want/need to dim them, but there are exceptions...

Dave

 

[purduephotog]

Does anyone know why Philips new EnduraLED™ PAR indoor reflectors as seen here, cannot be used with dimmer switches?

Its a great leap forward in lighting technology and the color rendition is fantastic. However, why would they build such a replacement unit that cannot be used with a dimmer switch? Seems odd to me.

Any technical reasons why this unit cannot be used with a dimmer? :shrug:

MSax

I'm pretty sure that's a 'big no' I looked at them at HD and I thought it said NOT DIMMER COMPATIBLE somewhere on the box.

That said- you might find out its 'forward phase' compatible... but I personally wouldn't risk it. Just replace your switch- it's only a buck.

 

[MSaxatilus]

Yes it definitely says do not use with dimmers on the box. My question is more along a techincal line, why would they even build a LED conversion light that can't be dimmable. I mean we use dimming capabilities in just about every flashlight these days. Why can't a AC powered light be dimmable?

MSax

 

[purduephotog]

Yes it definitely says do not use with dimmers on the box. My question is more along a techincal line, why would they even build a LED conversion light that can't be dimmable. I mean we use dimming capabilities in just about every flashlight these days. Why can't a AC powered light be dimmable?

MSax

You've got the answer right there in front of you- flashlights dim by controlling the current going to the LED.

AC dimmers dim by chopping up the power going to the light, which has electronics in it that then further chop up the current going to the LED.

Intelligent equipment can compensate (See the nice demo on the triac dimmer), but for the most part if the electronics aren't specifically built to handle it, it's a big problem.

Other controllers have a separate 10V dimming circuit- basically the dimmer simply passes the full voltage onto the controller, and the dimmer changes the voltage on the signal lines... so the controller messes with the LED brightness.

In short- too costly

 

[MSaxatilus]

Gotcha. Thanks for the explaination to a non-electrical minded person. Makes sense now.

MSax

 

[purduephotog]

Gotcha. Thanks for the explaination to a non-electrical minded person. Makes sense now.

MSax

I'm glad you liked it- I was really afraid you were going to be like one of my coworkers and say "WHY!" repeatedly

There are better explanations, more thorough- and some pretty good diagrams (google phase forward dimming) ... but then you're out of my realm.

We accidentally took a non-dimmable LED bulb and ran it in a dimmer- we always ran it at 100%, so it wasn't an issue- until someone came in and flipped on the lights for a study... and it arced/caught fire and burned. Blew the whole regulator circuit and fried one of the LEDs (check out my posts to see a pic of it).

Personally I wouldn't mess with it- if you're running LEDs and have too much light, I'd like to have some of that spare cash