I'm having a problem with flickering lights on my dimmer switch tried new bulbs that are definitely dimmable and the problem is still the same. Any ideas could there be a fault with the switch itself and it's transformer?
Dimmer lights flickering
- Thread starter tomsim
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A bulb often has a smoothing capacitor built in
, which will stop flicker, but the capacitor with some bulbs would be bigger than the bulb, these two G9 bulbs 
the larger one has the room, the smaller one does not, but the larger one will not fit inside the glass cover. So much depends on the type of bulb used.
What is dimmable? I can dim a bulb with a resistor, or capacitor, and it is unlikely to cause the bulb to flicker, but in the main we use wave form chopping, either leading or trailing edge, some bulbs work better with leading, and some with trailing, and some dimmable smart bulbs connect to a wireless dimmer switch or phone. They will all dim, but using different methods, and in the main since an LED when dimmed with old style dimmer switch, does not change colour temperature, in the main we use smart bulbs, so it can give the ambiance required.
In the main, to ensure it dims, we need to keep to the same make of dimmer switch and bulb. We can be lucky, but it is luck.
, which will stop flicker, but the capacitor with some bulbs would be bigger than the bulb, these two G9 bulbs the larger one has the room, the smaller one does not, but the larger one will not fit inside the glass cover. So much depends on the type of bulb used.What is dimmable? I can dim a bulb with a resistor, or capacitor, and it is unlikely to cause the bulb to flicker, but in the main we use wave form chopping, either leading or trailing edge, some bulbs work better with leading, and some with trailing, and some dimmable smart bulbs connect to a wireless dimmer switch or phone. They will all dim, but using different methods, and in the main since an LED when dimmed with old style dimmer switch, does not change colour temperature, in the main we use smart bulbs, so it can give the ambiance required.
In the main, to ensure it dims, we need to keep to the same make of dimmer switch and bulb. We can be lucky, but it is luck.
Is the dimmer compatible with LED bulbs ?
I understand that some dimmers need a minimum load to work smoothly and flicker free. So , you might find a certain dimmer flickers with one 8W LED bulb, but if you drive say 4 of them in parallel it might run smoothly.
Also, to follow on from what Eric was saying about types of LED dimmers, i.e. leading edge and trailing edge types, there is a dimmer that lets you change its configuration to several modes. It's the Varilight V-Pro LED series. It's a little bit pricy, but I found it easy to set up regarding changing modes trial and error style when I had issues with the bulbs I had. I did however find it a bit faffy to change the minimum/maximum dim level settings. You might want to Youtube it as Varilight have a video on there somewhere. The other thing is you might also find a DIY shed bargain bulb will give you agro, when an Osram, Philips or Bell might not.
Also, to follow on from what Eric was saying about types of LED dimmers, i.e. leading edge and trailing edge types, there is a dimmer that lets you change its configuration to several modes. It's the Varilight V-Pro LED series. It's a little bit pricy, but I found it easy to set up regarding changing modes trial and error style when I had issues with the bulbs I had. I did however find it a bit faffy to change the minimum/maximum dim level settings. You might want to Youtube it as Varilight have a video on there somewhere. The other thing is you might also find a DIY shed bargain bulb will give you agro, when an Osram, Philips or Bell might not.
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Thanks is it unlikely it could be anything wrong with the dimmer switch itself?
And with the Transformer/Power Supply ?
"Trailing edge switches (dimmers) work best with LEDs."
(See https://www.lamps-on-line.com/leading-trailing-edge-led-dimmers )
If it worked previously, with the same lamp,
it is possible that a fault has developed.
Otherwise, is it compatible (Trailing Edge)?
I'd buy another dimmer to swap in and test with. Best case, you identify what the culprit is, worst case you have a decent spare dimmer.
But do you know if the current dimmer is led compatible ?
Seemingly you don’t seem to want to answer this point
Not sure if Tomsim knows if the dimmer causing the issue is compatible, but if he tests using a Varilight V-Pro LED (FYI, I'm nothing to do with the company), he can change the modes on it (leading edge, trailing edge etc) until he has a result that doesn't oscillate/flicker. He can then buy a dimmer that handles the approriate modes I guess. From what I gather all this stuff is a bit suck it and see to get the right combo.
I'm not sure if it is would you be able to tell by seeing a picture of it?
Post a photo ?
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