How to Safely Dim, Non Dimmable LED Lamps

[@willmorris574]

You are a blessing sir! Exactly the engineer I was looking for. I bought a mains LED bar that's just a tad too bright for my office, and I need to tone it down just a hair! I knew there had to be a way to do it. The world needs more helpful people like you. Thank you Sir Graham!!

[@ldean-du5im]

Graham, You have a lot of electrical knowledge. Thanks for sharing!

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Thank you for your comment, really appreciated

[@Tasuputalat]

Hey Graham your videos are really helpful. Thanks for your effort.

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Glad you like them! Thank you for your comment, it is really appreciated.

[@westinthewest]

Does this method only work with LED drivers which don't have a feedback circuit to maintain a constant LED current over a wide range of supply voltages?

[@GrahamHoughton12]

That's right most of the cheaper non-dimmable only have a basic capacitive dropper and rectifier/current limiter resistor with no compensation for voltage fluctuation.

[@williammacdonald6354]

Hi Graham, great video! Very insightful. I'm curious as to what is actually happening in the original circuit (non-dimmable LED with conventional dimmer switch) that results in the flickering? and further, why the circuit you displayed here doesn't cause flickering? Also, I am currently trying to reduce the brightness on a string of non-dimmable LED Christmas tree lights, and am looking to try and implement a similar solution. Your tri-capacitor device/box looks very well-made and safe; I was wondering if you would be willing to go through the process of making it?

[@LeeSmay]

Thank you for sharing. Question - what kind of capacitors should I use for 220V/140W led panel? Thx

[@kevinhulston]

Fair comment Graham. Yes when you have security cameras, door bell video, printers etc etc all fighting for some of that speedy broadband. It certainly slows things down and like you say there is the security aspect. You hear of hackers accessing company internet via some dormant printer that they didn’t even know was connected🤔

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes I have actually been able to send an email from an unsecured wi-fi access point whilst I was in town one day - surprising how many phones and landlines are not secured never mind intelligent hackers being able to find ways in.

[@DavidFitzgerald-f6n]

Hi Graham, excellenrt video, thank you. Did you mean to say a Y2 rated capacitor which I believe fails open, with X2 type failing short circuit ?

[@GrahamHoughton12]

You are correct X2 fail short circuit to cause the supply fuse to blow and thus preventing possibility of fire. X2 are usually used in dropper circuits whereas Y2 are used foe EMI filtering and connected across L & N

[@MACYNET323]

Interesting project well explained, but I have a question: when the current pass through the capacitors, does flickering increase and will be more visible? If isn't visually, try shake hand near the bulbs or just measure it with Opple meter

[@DrN007]

Interesting! Although, it's called phase-cutting, not shift.

[@kevinhulston]

Graham. Not wanting to sound clever, but would it not be just easier to use a smart bulb. I have a basic one and you can change all sorts on it i including brightness, colour, warmth etc etc. cost £8 and works with Alexa or a specific app

[@GrahamHoughton12]

Yes, I have several of these in the house but I think in in wi-fi overload with so many devices now on my network all of which may pose some security risk?

[@jf3767]

@@GrahamHoughton12 I don't know about smart bulbs but apparently it's common for simple IoT devices to be hacked and used as part of a botnet to stage DDoS attacks.

[@Heniusbombelek]

Hey, i have a problem with my panasonic DMC FZ8, zoom doesn't work, and i think that problem affects to many cameras owners, can you do a tutorial how to repair this, and where can i find problem? maybe its a motor, or maybe its a problem with button? there is no errors, camera work very well, but zoom don't response. I and so much other users will be so happy if you will help us:) thanks! (sorry for my english) i sent this message to you on facebook too

[@GrahamHoughton12]

I'm not familiar with the FZ8 however if this is the original camera from 2007 then there could be many reasons that this feature doesn't work at the moment - so sorry I cannot help you more.

[@Heniusbombelek]

@@GrahamHoughton12 thanks