ASSIST: Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies
Dimming Behaviors of LED Replacement Lamps
As new lamp technologies become viable for general illumination and products gain traction in consumer markets, manufacturers are forced to reckon with the many facets of general illumination that the consumer takes for granted, like dimming with standard wall dimmers. One of the requirements for integral LED lamps entering the residential lighting marketplace is compatibility with dimmers designed for incandescent lamps. The task of designing LED replacement lamps compatible with common residential dimmer switches is complicated by the fact that dimmers may vary considerably in performance, even with the same incandescent lamp. This presents difficulties for manufacturers attempting to design replacement lamps compatible with a wide range of dimmers.
On behalf of ASSIST, LRC researchers investigated the dimming performance of commercially available LED replacement lamps and the performance variations among different residential dimmers. Researchers looked at minimum and maximum light output along the dimming range for a variety of dimmers and lamp technologies (LED, CFL and incandescent), and measured inrush and repetitive peak currents.
In general, it was found that
a lamp’s performance with one dimmer does not predict its performance with another, and that the dimming profile of a single incandescent lamp can vary considerably from one dimmer to the next.
Relative light output as a function of light level control for seven different dimmable LED integral lamps, an incandescent lamp, and a dimmable CFL, all on the same dimmer.
Dimming profile variations of a 40 W incandescent lamp, normalized to total flux.
Details can be found in the publications listed below.
Technical Reports & Publications
Technical Note: Dimming LED Integral Lamps 
Technical Note: Variations in Household Wall Dimmers for Lighting
Technical Note: Repetitive Peak and Inrush Currents
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