Dimming LEDs: smart solutions for dimming LED lighting 

Whether you want to concentrate on your work, relax in a cosy atmosphere or party in style: Dimmable light creates the right mood for every situation. But what do you need to look out for if you want to dim modern LEDs?

How does the dimming of LED lamps work

When dimming LED lamps, the electrical energy that is passed on to the LEDs is regulated. LEDs work with direct current, i.e. a constant current direction. However, the power supply from the socket supplies alternating current, which changes direction regularly. An LED driver is therefore always required to convert the alternating current into direct current. 

This means that it is not the LED lamp that is dimmed directly, but basically the intermediate electronics. And it is precisely because of this adjustment performance that you should always make sure that the LED luminaire is compatible with the LED dimmer used and the upstream transformer. Only then will the dimming function correctly.

What options are there for dimming an LED

Conventional dimmers often do not work optimally, as many LED lights have special requirements. With the smart solutions from Shelly, however, you can easily dim LEDs. Here are the different options:

Dimmable LED light bulbs

Dimmable LED light bulbs are a simple solution if you want to do without additional devices. Examples include 

  • Shelly Duo: a smart LED light bulb with warm and cool colour tones that is dimmable and controlled via WLAN. It can be screwed into any standard E27 socket. 
  • Shelly Duo RGBW: In addition to the dimming function, this version also offers 16 million RGBW colours, perfect for atmospheric lighting.  
  • Shelly Duo GU10 White: This smart GU10 light bulb is especially suitable for spotlights, dimmable and just as easy to control. 

LED dimming with relay

Another option is relays that are integrated directly into the circuit, for example: 

  • Shelly Dimmer 2: It is compatible with many dimmable LEDs, halogen lights and transformers. You can set the brightness precisely and use the energy monitoring function at the same time. 
  • Shelly Plus RGBW PM: This relay is ideal for 12V or 24V LED strips and can control up to four channels. It enables RGBW colour changes and offers precise dimming. 

Control of LED strips via PWM

The Shelly RGBW2 offers an ideal solution for low-voltage LEDs, such as LED strips. It supports multiple channels and allows you to control different colours or brightness levels simultaneously. 

LED dimming with 0-10V/1-10V dimmers 

If you want to integrate professional lighting controls, the 0-10V dimmers from Shelly are perfect for you: 

  • Shelly Plus 0-10V dimmer: This smart dimmer can be integrated into existing light switches and allows the control of drivers that support 0-10V or 1-10V dimming. 
  • Shelly Pro Dimmer 0/1-10V PM: This DIN rail-mountable dimmer is ideal for larger installations. It offers precise dimming functions and power measurement. 

LED dimming with DALI interface

 With DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) you can take your lighting to the next level. One example of this is the Shelly DALI Dimmer Gen3, which connects seamlessly with your existing DALI system. It offers you stepless dimming, precise colour changes and colour temperature adjustment - perfect for smart homes or larger projects.  

You can also create scenarios, group lights or run actions such as "Door opens, light turns on, dims to 80 per cent". You can control everything conveniently via app, voice assistant or directly via switch. The DALI Dimmer Gen3 is mega-flexible and ideal for designing light to suit your taste - whether cosy, practical or simply impressive. 

Dimming LEDs and smart homes: these are the advantages

  • Just the right mood for every occasion, because with smart LED technology you can not only adjust the brightness, but also individually program the light colour and colour temperature. 
  • You can connect several lamps and dim entire rooms or areas at the same time. 
  • You can control your lighting conveniently and effortlessly via app or voice assistant. 
  • Saving energy is made easy, because the smart control of LEDs helps you to save electricity. 
  • Lighting can be linked to other smart home devices such as motion detectors or timer schedules to optimally adapt to your everyday life. 
  • Quick retrofitting, because many Shelly dimmers can be easily installed in existing installations.

Can all LED light sources be dimmed

Not all LED light sources can be dimmed. Make sure that the packaging explicitly states "dimmable" and that the dimmer is compatible with the light source. The minimum load of the dimmer is particularly important: it must always be lower than or equal to the power consumption of the light source, otherwise there is a risk of problems.

Unsuitable combinations can not only lead to flickering, humming or a limited dimming range. The light bulb can also overheat and break.

Therefore, always use LEDs and dimmers from the same manufacturer. Only if the dimmer and light source are compatible can you ensure that you can dim smoothly. You can find the technical information for Shelly products on the relevant product page.

Dimming the light colour: It's that simple

With the lights from Shelly, you can not only adjust the brightness, but also the light colour individually dimmable.  

The Shelly Duo GU10, for example, can be set from warm white to cool white. You can use the Shelly app to adjust the light colour and brightness to suit your mood. Choose warm white light for cosy evenings and cool white light for your home office.  

If you want more, try the Shelly Duo RGBW: in addition to white tones, you can choose from 16 million colours. Set vibrant red or blue for a party, soft pastel colours for relaxation. You can control everything conveniently via the app - quickly, easily and exactly how it suits you. 

FAQs

Does LED dimming consume less electricity?

When LEDs are dimmed, less power is actually consumed as the current flow is reduced. This reduces energy consumption in proportion to the set brightness.

Can low-voltage LEDs be dimmed? 

Yes, low-voltage LEDs that work with 12V or 24V DC voltage can also be dimmed. The prerequisite is that the dimmer, transformer and LEDs are compatible. 

Can I connect dimmable lamps without a dimmer? 

Dimmable lamps, both LEDs and halogen lamps, also work without a dimmer. In this case, however, they always light up at full brightness as there is no regulation of the current flow.

How can LED strips be dimmed?

LED strips can be dimmed using a suitable LED dimmer, such as the Shelly RGBW2. This relay is installed between the power source and the LED strip.

What happens when a non-dimmable LED is dimmed?

Dimming a non-dimmable LED can lead to flickering, humming or even damage to the lamp. You should therefore ensure that you only use dimmable LEDs with a compatible dimmer.