LED Manufacturers Recommending Incandescent Dimmers

[Pete F.]

We frequently have customers asking why LED manufacturers often list using "standard incandescent dimmers" to control LEDs, but Lutron does not. According to UL, once there is a UL listed wallbox way to control CFLs or LEDs, such as our C·L dimmers, we are unable to recommend a non-UL listed solution to do the same thing. Some LEDs may work just fine on a standard incandescent control, however since they are not UL Listed to do this, Lutron is unable to test them.

LEDs and CFLs are also known to produce high current spikes, which our C·L dimmers are designed to handle. Standard incandescent dimmers are not designed to handle these spikes and it may shorten the life of the dimmer over time. Another large advantage of using Lutron’s C·L controls is the ability to adjust your low end trim, whereas you would not be able to on most dimmers rated only for incandescent.

[BrianWren]

We frequently have customers asking why LED mfrs often list using "standard incandescent dimmers" to control LEDs, but Lutron does not. According to UL, once there is a UL listed wallbox way to control CFLs or LEDs, such as our C·L dimmers, we are unable to recommend a non-UL listed solution to do the same thing. Some LEDs may work just fine on a standard incandescent control, however since they are not UL Listed to do this, Lutron is unable to test them.

LEDs and CFLs are also known to produce high current spikes, which our C·L dimmers are designed to handle. Standard incandescent dimmers are not designed to handle these spikes and it may shorten the life of the dimmer over time. Another large advantage of using Lutron’s C·L controls is the ability to adjust your low end trim, whereas you would not be able to on most dimmers rated only for incandescent.

If power is supplied to a Lutron dimmable LED bulb via a step–down transformer, does the bulb respond well, lighting evenly, but not as brightly? The use I have in mind would have two desired brightnesses, full on, and about 1/4 brightness. The power is only 10W while full on, so a step–down transformer would not need to be very large. I just don't know if these bulbs respond well to reduced power.

Finally, how do these bulbs respond to having the AC input chopped and puse–width–modulated. I'm thinking along the lines of interposing a MOSFET between the AC supply and the bulb, and switching it at maybe a steady 300 to 800 HZ, but altering Ton and Toff (the duty cycle of the 'on' time and the 'off' time).

[Pete F.]

Brian,
You state that you are using Lutron dimmable LED bulbs. Lutron is not a bulb manufacturer. We do make LED fixtures, however. Are you using our Ivalo fixtures?