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Can someone ELI5 why often lights set up with a dimmer also flicker? (mander.xyz)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Seen this in many houses, people upgrade their lighting setup and install a dimmer. Which works. But usually it also makes the lights flicker unintentionally, which is super annoying IMO.

Now, my understanding of electrical engineering is pretty rudimentary so I'd appreciate more something that explains the concept in a way that Cavewoman Mothra can understand rather than something technically accurate.

Thanks

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[–] [email protected] 26 points 2 months ago

It's because they aren't installing the correct bulbs. Some dimmers work by cutting the 'pulse' that goes to the light early, some of them work by lowering the voltage/current.

When you install a direct LED to one that cuts the pulse, you get flickering. Incandescent bulbs don't do this because they're white-hot and don't change luminosity fast enough for you to notice.

Basically: If they're flickering -- they did it wrong.