LEDhimmentäminen

LEDhimmentäminen refers to the process of reducing the light output of a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Unlike traditional incandescent bulbs that dim by reducing the voltage supplied to the filament, LEDs require a different approach. The most common methods for dimming LEDs are Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Analog Dimming (also known as Constant Current Reduction or CCR).

Pulse Width Modulation involves rapidly switching the LED on and off. The perceived brightness is controlled by the ratio of the on-time to the off-time, often referred to as the duty cycle. A higher duty cycle means the LED is on for a larger proportion of the time, resulting in brighter light, while a lower duty cycle makes it appear dimmer. This method is very efficient and maintains good color consistency across different dimming levels.

Analog Dimming, on the other hand, reduces the current flowing through the LED. By decreasing the current, the LED emits less light. While this method can be simpler to implement, it can sometimes lead to color shifts at very low dimming levels, as the LED's efficiency can vary with current.

The choice of dimming method often depends on the application, the specific LED driver used, and the desired performance characteristics. Compatibility between the LED dimming system and the control method (e.g., a wall dimmer switch) is crucial for proper functionality. Some LED products are designed to be non-dimmable, and attempting to dim them can result in flickering, damage to the LED, or failure to dim altogether.