What's TRIAC Dimming?

                                                                             TRIAC Dimming

Phase-cut dimmers are the most common dimming control and are often referred to as TRIAC dimmers. Creating the ideal configuration 

of LED lamps with the TRIAC dimmer has, in the past, been a challenge, but the introduction of new TRIAC dimming LED drivers has 

made this much simpler.

TRIAC dimming controls act as a high-speed switch and are used to control the amount of electrical energy passing to a bulb. A 

‘trigger’ dictates what point the device starts to conduct the electricity, essentially “chopping up” the voltage waveform, 

stopping the voltage from being supplied at full load.

A TRIAC controller acts as a high-speed switch, and is used in controlling the amount of electrical energy that goes through a 

bulb. It usually has a trigger which dictates when electricity can be conducted and reduces the voltage to avoid the energy being 

supplied to go overboard.

A TRIAC control for LEDs works by regulating the intensity of light: when the switch reacts, less power is conducted and the bulb 

dims

The quicker the switch reacts, the more power is released, the slower the switch reacts, less power is released, which results in 

a dimming of the bulb. TRIAC dimming is less likely to produce “half wave” on failure, or Hz flicker, therefore with TRIAC 

dimming the lifespan of the LED is not as greatly reduced, compared to more common Thyristor dimmers.

When using a TRIAC dimmer with LED light solutions, and sourcing a TRIAC dimming LED driver, it is vital to ensure the device is a 

TRIAC semiconductor device. TRIAC dimmers are designed for resistive loads, which LED solutions are not, so it is important to get 

this right. If the incorrect TRIAC dimming LED driver is sourced the lights will not perform as expected, decreasing the lifetime 

of the LED.

TRIAC control operates through a gate electrode when opposite charge voltages are applied. Activating the TRIAC circuit enables 

electricity conduction until the fall of current below the edge. In such a case, the circuit enables the high voltage to move 

across with very low control currents. With a phase control, the TRIAC circuit can regulate the current percentage flowing across 

a circuit load.

When configuring a TRIAC dimmer with an LED bulb and sourcing the TRIAC dimming LED driver, you need to ensure that the TRIAC 

dimming device is a version of the TRIAC semiconductor device. Various kinds of TRIAC dimmers are created for resistive loads. In 

case the TRIAC dimmer is used in the wrong way with an LED light source, it can lead to the faulty performance of the bulb 

including humming and flickering and if left unattended, these issues will reduce the lifespan of LED lights over time.