How to Make LED Strip Lights Dimmable?

LED strip lights are currently the lighting solution of choice for residential and commercial lighting. Sometimes, you’ll want to make the LED strip lights dimmable to achieve a certain level of brightness. For example, LED strips installed for under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen need to enhance visibility and brightness. As for bedrooms, sometimes you need the ability to dim LED strips to make people feel cozier and more comfortable.

Do you want your LED strip lights dimmable? The dimming keywords we often hear are DMX, DALI, 0/1-10V, thyristor (TRIAC), WIFI, Bluetooth, RF so on. These are the input signals of the dimming power supply. How to dim the LED strip lights needs to consider the environment (installation, wiring), function, cost, and later expansion flexibility. The quality of the dimming effect mainly depends on the output dimming method of the dimming power supply rather than the input dimming method.

What we need to confirm is: that almost all LED strip lights are dimmable

First, almost all LED light strips on the market are dimmable. All of our LED light strips support dimming. Of course, there are exceptions, so you need to check in advance.

In addition, the LED light strip needs to be connected to a power supply (120V AC) to convert the high AC voltage into a lower DC voltage of 12V or 24V. This ensures that the wall dimmer is working properly. Whether your LED strip lights are dimmable or not depends on their power module. This also helps it interpret the dimming signal from the wall dimmer.

With the correct DC signal, the brightness of any LED strip can be adjusted. However, if you also want to adjust the color, you need to purchase an LED strip controller separately. So, how do you ensure that the LED receives the correct DC signal for dimming purposes?

Note if wall dimmers are involved. Before any dimming can be done on an LED strip, it must first “talk” to the power source. So the dimmable/non-dimmable question depends on the power supply unit. And whether it can interpret the dimming signal produced by the wall dimmer.

On the other hand, almost all LED strip lights (like the strips themselves) are dimmable. The brightness of any LED strip can be freely adjusted as long as there is an appropriate DC signal (usually PWM).

Here are 7 common LED Strip Lights Dimmable

Option 1: Use traditional wall dimmer and dimmable power supply (TRIAC)

The classic dimming mode is the wall dimmer, for which TRIAC technology is ideal. This traditional dimmer and power option is simple and permanent for LED strip installations. It’s also perfect for under-cabinet LED lighting needs.

Most LED wall dimmers tend to use a TRIAC dimming signal. For this, you need to get the best TRIAC power supply for your LED strip dimming needs.

TRIAC dimmable power supplies have dual functions, including:

• It converts high 120V AC signals to 12 or 24V DC signals. The latter is compatible with LED light strips.
• It interprets the TRIAC LED dimming signal generated by the wall dimmer. Next, it converts this into the corresponding light output of the LED strip.

TRIAC dimmable power supplies can be connected directly to wall dimmers. The output of the TRIAC power supply is connected to the ribbon cable. These components will most likely not have any visible connectors or plugs. They will be concealed inside a high-quality electrical box. In addition, the light strip should be close to the LED power supply. This ensures that voltage drop effects are mitigated.

Option 2: Choose A Low-Voltage PWM DC Dimmer

If your house is being renovated, you don’t want to mess with the wires in the walls. You may consider using the regular settings. This option requires you to install a PWN DC dimmer between a standard power source (non-TRIAC) and the light strip. This PWM dimmer has a dial or potentiometer to adjust the brightness of the light strip.

The power supply for the light strip does not necessarily have to be a TRIAC dimmable variant. It can also be a standard DC power supply. They are low-cost and readily available. They are also cheaper compared to TRIAC dimming elements.

PWM DC dimmer circuit is simple, simple, and easy to assemble. Therefore best suited for portable or small installations. It’s also great for dimmers that don’t need to be fixed to the wall and can easily connect to LED strips and power units. Standard dimmer power supplies have a 2-prong plug designed to plug into a wall outlet.

Connect the 2 output wires from the light strip power supply to the dimmer. Next, connect the 2 input wires from the light strip to the dimmer. The dimmer only acts as a valve. The light’s power supply automatically supplies the light strip’s rated voltage and current. This will vary depending on the dimmer knob and its position.

This is useful if you want to move your LED strip from one location to another frequently. However, it’s not ideal if you want a permanent or minimally messy solution. Additionally, PWM LED dimmers must be placed close to the strip to work properly. Otherwise, voltage drops may occur.

Option 3： Use RF Dimming Controllers

RF or radio frequency dimmer controllers are wireless controllers. They can be used to dim LED strips wirelessly. If you want this method of dimming, first count the total number of connected LED strips.

Next, calculate the total wattage of these strips. If the wattage is less than the power of your controller, just using one controller may be sufficient. However, if the total power is higher, connect multiple controllers.

For larger projects, you can use a high-quality power repeater or power amplifier. This will help you dim your strip lights using only one controller. Keep in mind that RF dimmers have an operating range of up to 20 meters. Therefore, power repeaters are essential when seeking greater signal range.

There are many options for RF controllers. Users can choose from the following options:

• Single zone dimmer
• Handheld remote dimmer
• wall controller
• Multi-zone dimmer

When using a single zone dimmer, you cannot control each strip or section independently. Then, all the lights suddenly dimmed. Alternatively, using a multi-zone controller, you can manage different bands or sections independently.

Option 4: Use a Wi-Fi Controller for LED Strip Lights Dimmable

Many LED strip enthusiasts like to use their smartphones to control the brightness. Wi-Fi controllers are ideal for this situation. It gives you easy brightness control.

You don’t have to walk to the controls to dim the LED strips. They work within recommended ranges, so distances need to be calculated in advance.

Your Wi-Fi adapter needs its own power source to operate effectively. Select the app of your choice to control your LED light strip, and you’re good to go. You can even replace it with a wall adapter if you don’t want to use your phone control as often.

So, if your Wi-Fi goes down or becomes unavailable, you can always have a backup. Also, you can check out some unique Android apps for LED strip dimming on the Play Store. Or, if you have an iOS phone, you can check out the Apple Store.

Option 5: Use DMX Dimming for LED Strip Lights

DMX or Digital Multiplex Control was designed to operate and link the incompatible dimming systems. It is a fairly old LED strip dimming protocol. You can see it being used in studio lighting, theatres, concert lighting, or architectural lighting.

DMX LED strip light controls can handle as many as 512 channels. This is why it is also known as DMX512. Each DMX strip receiver channel is set with the help of DIP switches. These switches are located on the unit’s side with the help of nine binary switches. Using these switches, users can set each channel to a max of 512.

A decade ago, this dimming system used to cost a lot. But, that isn’t the case today. Earlier, they were built specifically for stage lighting needs. They come with a fun touchscreen panel or a unique rotator dimmer. You can operate a DMX dimmer with the help of a smartphone or computer as well.

DMX LED dimmers can be perfect for restaurants, homes, hotels, clubs, or any location of your choice.

Option 6: Use 0/1-10V Dimming Technique

A standard 0/1-10V dimmer features two independent light circuits. The first is a voltage circuit that can help disconnect or connect the power supply to your lighting equipment. The second circuit is a low-voltage design that determines the dimming of the LED strip light.

Previously, the 0/1-10V dimmers were used for controlling fluorescent lamps. Today though, these dimmers feature driver modules with ample power supply & special circuit controls. This helps the 0-10V dimmers support multiple LED lamp variants.

Talking about the 1-10V option, it’s just the dimmer that is 1-10V. So when the dimmer’s resistance is tuned to 1V minimum, the resulting output current reaches 10 percent (Value might not be fixed).

Option 7: Use DALI Dimming

The LED DALI dimmable LED light strip controller can be used to dim the light, and it also supports segmented dimming of the light strip. This professional system can be programmed to dim the portions of your chosen LED strip.

DALI is the abbreviation for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. It’s best suited for larger projects where multiple LED strips need to be controlled. The DALI system allows you to manually turn lights on or off as well as brightness control. They can also be used to activate and run preset lighting programs.

Most offices, hotels and large stores tend to use DALI systems for dimming. However, it has recently become popular with homeowners as well. DALI system installation should be done in the right way to achieve perfect results.

First, the DALI receiver needs to be connected between the LED strip and the transformer. After setup is complete, connect all DALI receivers with signal cables. Next, wire them all up with the DALI dimmer switch.

Conclusion

All LED strip lights can be dimmable. But please note that there are two types of light strips, constant voltage light strips and constant current light strips. More people choose conventional constant voltage LED strip lights.

Please note that a constant current LED strip must be used with a PWM output signal-dimming LED strip! For constant voltage LED strip lights, you can choose PWM or CCR output signal dimming power supply according to project needs. And there are many input signals, such as DMX512, DALI, 0/1-10V, TRIAC, WIFI, Bluetooth, RF, Zigbee, etc.

Finally, you can choose the appropriate input signal based on the installation environment, wiring, functionality, cost, and flexibility for later expansion. Also, it is recommended that you test compatibility before installing.

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