How to Dim GU10 LEDs

A Comprehensive Buying Guide that you must read if you are wondering how to dim your GU10 LED Lamps.

I recently decided that we needed a dimmer switch on our kitchen GU10 LED lamps. I started researching dimmer switches and dimmable LED lamps and quickly realised it wasn't as straight forward as I thought - in fact it was a complete minefield!

I eventually came up with a great solution and thought I'd share it on my Channel. So here it is - I hope it answers all your questions!

UPDATE:

WHAT I BOUGHT AND WHERE

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LET'S CONNECT!
Charlie DIYte

[glencwilson]

Added a dimmer to for our two-way switched kitchen lights ages ago and it worked fine. The dimmer switch failed so replaced it. After a couple of weeks it wouldn't dim or just very slightly, Was fine for me but the Mrs likes the light to be really low (almost off for some reason). As we had had an LED bulb fail thought I would check that the replacements were dimmable so searched for a video and this popped up. I had watched it before when it came out.

To get to the point, I had the same dimmer switch installed and hadn't realised you could set the low point and that was the problem. Ours had somehow got set the low point to almost full on! Thanks for a useful video.

[MartiA]

Excellent video. I'm a qualified sparks and regularly hit all these issues. When the client will accept it, I suggest leaving out the dimmers and look to layers of lights instead. EG, ceiling, wall lights, under cabinet and down to plinth lights on simple switches. Matching lamps is just not viable in the long term. Another classic video Charlie. Love the high speed delivery. You're one of the few I do NOT need to switch to 1.25 playback speed.

[edwardoconnell]

Charlie, I have referenced you videos for so many different projects in recent years and am always impressed with you presentation, level of detail and good common sense advice. In following your advice I consistently achieve much better results than otherwise.
Best regards keep them coming. ESOC

[TheRealDermatologist]

excellent the way you edit to make things flow better without all the blank space (no audio - wasted time). Very efficient video

[anonymous]

This is one of the best DIY channels on YouTube

[zedman]

Forgot to thank you for your well explained video and review of your findings. Great for people who are looking into this.

[stco]

Looking to upgrade a room and needed to check a few terms on the 'modern' ways of dimming. This told me everything I needed.
Bonza!

[sidbrun_]

Thanks for the vid, knew there would be a bit more to it than just swapping bulbs, think I'll put the LED dimmer on the back burner for now.

[davidcooke]

Charlie, just like you I invested in the Megaman CFL GU10 lamps many years ago. As they keeled over, I invested in LED lamps of, shall we say, questionable manufacture.
As they started to die one by one, I had the unusual experience of them going out with a bang and tripping the MCB (circuit breaker) which took out all the downstairs lights. After my wife and daughters were left in the dark a number of times, I wasn't at home, I invested in a branded manufacturer of LED GU10 lamps.
I opted for Philips lamps and have not had any problems since.
We went for the 2700K versions which are the Warm White type, on the advice of my family, as they are closer to the light produced by the old incandescent bulbs we all grew up with.
I would advise anyone to ask the people who are going to use the space which type of lighting the prefer before a major purchase of LED lamps.
On the issue of the dimmer I agree with all the points you made.

A number of friends have asked me why they could not dim certain LED lamps only to find out they had purchased NON-dimmable LEDs.
A BG dimmer switch works fine for us for a 4-way GU10 light fitting, but I couldn't get the same dimmer in another room to dim a Philips 8-watt BC bulb without flickering at a certain spot.
I did try to adjust the dimmer as recommended but eventually replaced it with a standard switch and a Philips Hue bulb controlled by Alexa.
So, as you say dimming LED lamps is a bit of a minefield.
Great video

[AndrewLumsden]

I appreciate that this video was posted 5 years ago, but it's now probably best to fit an LED panel rather than these dreadful pot lights!!!

[deankay]

Well, I don't live in the UK, have the same voltage not want to pay the unbelievable prices that include a VAT and a super high shipping. So, the same bulb "GU10" is offered here in LED for $6 buy a name brand company. I plan to install them in a cooktop range hood with a 3 speed fan that failed recently, but I won't go into checking capacitance on a PSC motor. I am a retired auto tech and most of use go thru our careers with quality $500+ Digital Multi Meters (DMM) as vehicles have 12-14 volts DC, 5 Volts DC and 120 Volts A/C and not even going into Hybrids or Hydrogen Fuel Cell with 180 Volts DC. So thanks for the info! I guess a pound is the value of 1 pound silver or something quit sterling. ($) Hope you stay safe a drive on the correct side of the road. Thanks!

[ColinWatters]

Another issue with cheap LED is that many flicker when dimmed. The type of flickering im talking about is a 100hz flicker due to incorrect design not a compatibility issue with the dimmer. It's most noticeable when dimmed and when they are in your peripheral vision (which is more sensitive to motion). If you look directly at them the stop flickering because your central vision is less sensitive to movement.

[leewinston]

Good contribution. May I correct you about the pin connectors code. GU10 ( you got it right ), the other type that has 2 straight pins are refer to as GU5.3 for its connectors. Whereas MR16 is the code for the type of bulb socket it is fitted into. The bulb you have fits a MR16 socket holder. There are smaller bulbs that are of the same shape fits MR11 socket.

[TheEcorristine]

Charlie, another excellent video, I was finding it a bit of a nightmare as well trying to figure it all out too. I have a 4 gang one way switch and one of those switches has 12 spots on it, so have got my 12 dimmable leds and have ordered a varilight v-pro dimmer switch, I learned the hard way too....very explanatory video as always, thanks.

[ahnedalaraji]

Wow amazing video you right the gu10 bulb more important some of bulb led work compatible with normal dimmer

[CharlieDIYte]

UPDATE - myswitchshop.com confirmed to me today that there IS a Trailing Edge product that allows dimming from 2 positions within the circuit - it's called Eclique2 but you can only run a maximum of 10 LEDs on the circuit.

[ihateemael]

trailing edge dimmers were designed to reduce flicker and electrical noise. Nothing to do with LEDs.
Bigclive has a nice video explaining all the problems.

[timwells]

Once again great advice !! I’m about to get dimmable down lights for my new conservatory they go around the edge of the conservatory on a soffit . Any idea if I should have cool or warm white

[markgallagher]

At last.... a great explanation on it. thank you so much, great video...

[zedman]

I'm obsessed with anything lights! Unfortunately for cheaper LED GU10 will just have a capacitive dropper to drop the voltage not great but if it's a sealed unit perfectly safe to use, these won't be dimmable. The expensive bulbs will have the proper transformers in them. For bathrooms and kitchens I tend to go with cool white. Living areas warm white. Also if you have an outside floodlight and you want an LED version go with warm white as the Cool white won't throw enough light.