Old incandescent bulbs are being phased out thanks to energy-saving LED bulbs. However, incandescent bulbs were very simple and reliable; After all, they are “just” a very thin (Wolfram, W) tungsten filament without any electronics.
On the other hand, LEDs rely on the built-in electronic driver to power the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) – if the driver is not working properly, the illumination provided by the LEDs is not as soft and pleasant.
What causes flickering LED lights and how can they be fixed? We look at the causes and solutions for flickering LED lights.
How does Dimming the Light Work?
When the light switch is turned on, power flows to the lamp, and the lamp begins to produce light. Easy like that.
In the age of incandescent and halogen bulbs, dimmers had a very simple task: to limit the flow of electricity into the bulb, and that was it.
However, newer LEDs are electronic devices whose correct operation depends entirely on the correct operation of the LED’s built-in driver.
When connecting LEDs to dimmers designed for incandescent lights, the LEDs will not work properly. In fact, these dimmers can easily damage them for many reasons.
How To Fix Dimmable LED Flash
When LED lights flicker when you turn them on, flashing LED lights are not only annoying and inconvenient, they are also proof that something is definitely not quite right somewhere in the lighting circuit. Dim and dim lights are usually the result of a mismatch somewhere in the settings.
As certified lighting consultants, we break down why your LED lights flicker with our quick and comprehensive tips to investigate common causes with possible solutions.
1. Loose wire
Intermittently dim LED lights may be a simple installation error. Loose wires are one of the most common problems we see. If there are loose wires, you will need to reconnect and/or tighten them.
It’s always a good idea to have your wiring checked by a professional before you start using any new electrical products in your home. They will be able to detect and fix any potential problems before they do any damage.
2. The LED is not dimmable
Not all LED lights are dimmable.
A common reason that dim lights flicker and LED bulbs flicker when dimmed is that the LED itself is not dimmable.
The flickering LED could be the result of an attempt to dim a non-dim bulb.
Whether inside an LED bulb or within a lighting setup, there are power supplies that power the LED light sources and when the current is reduced to dim them, those power supplies should be able to translate the reduced power into a power delivery low acceptable for the light source.
3. Buy dimmable LED bulbs
What is a dim bulb? Dimmer lights are designed to be compatible with dimmers so that light output can be smoothly reduced as directed.
When shopping for LED lights, make sure you only buy dimmable bulbs to avoid dim lighting issues like LED lights do.
The manufacturer of the LED product and bulbs still gives you the option of building a dimmable LED lighting circuit or paying a little less and purchasing a non-dimmable product.
4. Twinkle dimmable LED bulbs
If the dimmable LED lights flicker, of course, then it may be faulty.
If it’s an isolated bulb or lighting device that’s intermittent, before delving into the flickering of dim lights, replace the suspected device with a known good one and see if you can isolate the problem and narrow it down to a defective product.
5. Use adjustable power supplies
Dimmable LED lights flicker because you may not have the correct LED wattage. Make sure to use a dimmable power supply that is compatible with the LEDs you are using.
Just because an LED is dimmable doesn’t mean it will work with every type of dimming system out there. In order to prevent the installation from blinking and flashing dimmable LED lights, both the power supply and the lights must be able to communicate with each other to supply the appropriate amount of power.
6. Use PMW LED power supplies
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is a process that allows an LED to be dimmed by rapidly turning it on and off at a rate too fast for the human eye to see. However, if not done properly, it may cause the LED and dimmable LEDs to flash.
You can avoid visible flicker caused by pulse width modulation by using an LED power supply specifically designed to work with dimmable LEDs. These power supplies use a technology called phase cut dimming, which is compatible with most types of dimmers and does not cause the flickering or flickering that can be caused by PWM.
7. Verify that your dimmer switch is LED compatible
The dimmer on the dimmer switch is blinking as they may have a faulty dimmer module on the switch. To successfully dim LEDs, you need a compatible dimming control. There are specific intensity regulators for LED lights.
In general, when you change your lights to LEDs and want to dim, it’s a good idea to purchase new, compatible controls along with your new LED fixture. Trying to use old dimmer switches with a new LED fixture may not work well because the two may not be compatible.
Also, old switches may also not work because they have been used for a long time and have passed their useful life.
Why do dimmable LEDs blink?
LED bulb flickering in almost all cases can be attributed to a mismatched dimmer switch in the lighting circuit. Modern dimmer switches create a dimming effect by turning the power supply on and off several times per second.
Can you get dimmable LED lights?
In most cases, all LED lamp models are available in a dimmable version. But it is not always adjustable as standard. Be sure to mention the product name or “Dimmable” specification. In this way, you can make sure that the LED bulb is dimmable.
How do I prevent flickering lights?
Another thing that often causes flickering in LED bulbs is loose connections or circuitry. This is easy to determine. Just screw in the LED bulb well and you will find that solves the problem. If there is a lot of dust on the unit, first blow the connection points to remove the dust before refitting the lamp.
Why do my LED lights flicker when I turn them on?
Why are the LED lights blinking? One of the most common reasons LED lights flicker is because of voltage fluctuations in the wiring in your home. The wires in your home carry electrical current, and the resistance of each wire consumes some voltage when you turn things on and off in your home.
