What are Dimmers?
Dimmers provide adjustable control over a fixture's light output, giving users more flexibility over lighting levels.
Definition
Purpose
Dimmers let you adjust lighting levels instead of simply switching fixtures on or off. They are used in residential, commercial, and other building applications to match lighting levels to different activities and spaces. Depending on the system, dimmers can control lights from one or multiple locations and may also be integrated with smart lighting controls.
Examples of Use
- Office lighting: Dimmers are used to adjust light levels in offices to provide suitable illumination for different tasks while reducing unnecessary output.
- Hospitality spaces: Restaurants and hotels use dimmers to change lighting levels throughout the day. They are also used to create different lighting settings for specific areas.
- LED fixtures: Dimmable LED fixtures can be paired with compatible dimmers to provide adjustable light output. The fixture, LED driver, and dimmer must be compatible to avoid issues such as flickering or limited dimming.
Notes
- Dimmers are available in different configurations, including single-pole, three-way, multi-location, and smart dimmers.
- Not every lamp or fixture is compatible with every dimmer. LED fixtures in particular require dimmable products and compatible controls.
- Dimming can reduce lighting power use when lower light levels are sufficient, although savings depend on the lighting system and how it is operated.






