Dimmable ceiling light?

[Rawns]

We bought a new ceiling light for our front room from Homebase a week ago (Belize Ceiling Light - 65cm from Homebase.co.uk) and I thought it would be nice to replace the light switch with a chrome dimmer switch as we're doing out the rest of the front room. I'm not 100% sure about the electrical in's and out's but I was told that not all light fittings can be used with a dimmer switch. I've looked at the box/fitting guide and it says nothing about if it can be used with a dimmer. It uses G4 LED bulbs so was hoping someone knows if they are dimmable or not? I was hoping as there is no warning, it meant that it's OK?

[jamesreedersmith]

Some LED;s can be dimmed some cant - need to check the bulb not the fitting!

[jamesreedersmith]

Read the reviews - one them on about the 3/4 page says they read on the box it cant be dimmed! Sorry

[Oaktech]

I'm going to say no... it *might* work with non led bulbs, but i'm not going to guarantee that.

Generally, you can't just strap a dimmer switch to low voltage fittings and make them work with the LED bulbs. LED needs a certain voltage/current to work and these will be controlled by something in the bulb or possibly the fitting You may be able to get a dimmable controller ballast for it, as you can with flourescent fittings, but they are going to cost money, the last low voltage led dimmable controller ballast i installed was over £100 and required significant rewiring as the dimmer switch stops taking mains voltage and becomes a lowvoltage potentiometer controlling the output of the ballast, which does some nifty hi frequency switching and making it work.

[Rawns]

I'm going to say no... it *might* work with non led bulbs, but i'm not going to guarantee that.

Generally, you can't just strap a dimmer switch to low voltage fittings and make them work with the LED bulbs. LED needs a certain voltage/current to work and these will be controlled by something in the bulb or possibly the fitting You may be able to get a dimmable controller ballast for it, as you can with flourescent fittings, but they are going to cost money, the last low voltage led dimmable controller ballast i installed was over £100 and required significant rewiring as the dimmer switch stops taking mains voltage and becomes a lowvoltage potentiometer controlling the output of the ballast, which does some nifty hi frequency switching and making it work.

Thanks for the info Oaktech. Think I'll just switch to a chrome "on/off" switch in that case.