Choosing the right LED power supply is an important part of designing a reliable LED lighting system. The biggest difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LED power supplies is how the brightness of your LED lights can be controlled.
A non-dimmable LED power supply provides power at a consistent output and is designed for applications where dimming is not required. A dimmable LED power supply works with a compatible dimmer switch, allowing you to adjust the brightness of your LED lights from the AC side of the system.
The right power supply depends on your LED load, whether you need dimming, and what type of control you want to use.
What Is a Non-Dimmable LED Power Supply?
A non-dimmable LED power supply converts standard AC power from an outlet into the low-voltage DC power required by LED lighting. It provides a consistent voltage to the LEDs and is typically the simplest and most cost-effective power supply option.
Non-dimmable power supplies are a good choice when you want your LED lights to operate at a consistent brightness and do not need to control the light level with an AC wall dimmer.
However, "non-dimmable" does not necessarily mean that the LED lights can never be dimmed.
If your LED system uses a compatible PWM dimmer (such as the Casambi 5 Channel PWM Controller), LED controller, or remote control, the LEDs may still be dimmed on the DC side of the power supply. In this setup, the power supply itself remains non-dimmable while the controller regulates the power being delivered to the LEDs.
When should you use a non-dimmable LED power supply?
A non-dimmable power supply is typically the best choice when:
- You do not need to adjust the brightness with a wall dimmer.
- You plan to use a compatible PWM dimmer or LED controller.
- You want a simple and cost-effective power solution.
- Your lighting will operate at a consistent brightness.
What Is a Dimmable LED Power Supply?
A dimmable LED power supply is designed to work with a compatible AC dimmer switch. Instead of simply providing a constant output, the power supply responds to the dimmer signal and adjusts the DC output delivered to the LEDs.
This allows you to control the brightness of your LED lighting from a standard wall-mounted dimmer, depending on the power supply and dimmer type being used.
Dimmable power supplies are especially useful for residential, hospitality, commercial, and architectural lighting applications where users need to adjust light levels throughout the day.
What Is a Triac Dimmable LED Power Supply?
Triac dimmable LED power supplies are designed to work with compatible forward-phase AC dimmer switches, including dimmers specifically rated for LED loads.
We offer Triac dimmable power supplies in several smaller wattages:
- 20W
- 30W
- 45W
- 60W
- 80W
These power supplies are a good option for smaller LED lighting loads when you want to control the brightness using an AC wall dimmer.
When selecting a Triac dimmable power supply, it is important to make sure the dimmer and power supply are compatible. Not every AC dimmer works with every LED power supply, so compatibility should always be verified before installation.
What Is VersaDrive?
For larger LED lighting loads and applications that require more flexibility, VersaDrive provides multiple dimming options in a single power supply platform.
VersaDrive is available in larger wattages, including:
VersaDrive supports multiple dimming methods, including:
- TRIAC
- ELV
- 0–10V
- MLV
The 288W VersaDrive is specifically designed with three Class 2 outputs, providing additional flexibility for applications where multiple Class 2 circuits are required.
This makes VersaDrive a useful solution for larger installations where a smaller Triac power supply is not sufficient or where the project requires a specific dimming control method.
How Do You Choose Between a Dimmable and Non-Dimmable Power Supply?
The easiest way to choose is to start with how you want to control your lights.
If you do not need dimming: Choose a non-dimmable LED power supply.
If you want to dim the lights with an AC wall dimmer: Choose a compatible dimmable LED power supply.
If you have a smaller LED load and a compatible forward-phase dimmer: A Triac dimmable power supply is a good option.
If you have a larger LED load or need multiple dimming options: Consider a VersaDrive power supply.
Can You Dim a Non-Dimmable LED Power Supply?
Yes, but it depends on where and how you are dimming the LEDs.
A non-dimmable power supply cannot be controlled directly by a standard AC wall dimmer. However, you can often use a compatible PWM dimmer or LED controller on the DC side of the power supply.
If you want to control your LED lights using an AC wall dimmer, you need a power supply specifically designed to work with that type of dimmer.
Does a Dimmable Power Supply Dim the LEDs Directly?
The power supply is what makes AC-side dimming possible, but the dimmer and power supply work together.
The AC dimmer modifies the incoming AC power, and the dimmable power supply responds by adjusting its DC output to the LEDs.
This is different from DC-side dimming, where a controller or PWM dimmer is installed after the power supply and controls the LED output directly.
Understanding where the dimming occurs is important when designing an LED lighting system because the dimmer, power supply, controller, and LEDs all need to be compatible. To learn more about this, check out our article: AC vs. DC Side Dimming: Where Does the Dimmer Go?
Dimmable vs. Non-Dimmable LED Power Supplies: What's the Difference?
The biggest difference comes down to how you plan to control your LED lighting.
| Feature |
Non-Dimmable Power Supply |
Dimmable Power Supply |
| Constant-voltage output | Yes | Yes |
| AC wall dimmer compatible | No | Yes, with compatible dimmer |
| DC-side PWM dimming | Yes, with compatible controller | No |
| Typical cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Constant-brightness applications | Applications requiring AC-side dimming |
| Available in larger wattages | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About LED Power Supplies
What is the difference between dimmable and non-dimmable LED power supplies?
A non-dimmable LED power supply is designed to provide a consistent output and cannot be controlled directly by an AC wall dimmer. A dimmable LED power supply is designed to work with a compatible AC dimmer, allowing the brightness of the LEDs to be adjusted.
Can I use a dimmer with a non-dimmable LED power supply?
You cannot use a standard AC wall dimmer directly with a non-dimmable power supply. However, you can often dim LEDs connected to a non-dimmable power supply using a compatible PWM dimmer or LED controller installed on the DC side.
Do LED strip lights need a dimmable power supply?
No. LED strip lights do not automatically require a dimmable power supply. If you do not need AC-side dimming, a non-dimmable power supply can be used. If you want to control the strip lights with an AC wall dimmer, you will need a compatible dimmable power supply.
What is a Triac dimmable power supply?
A Triac dimmable power supply is designed to work with a compatible forward-phase AC dimmer. aspectLED offers Triac dimmable power supplies in 20W, 30W, 45W, 60W, and 80W models.
What is VersaDrive?
VersaDrive is a higher-wattage LED power supply designed to provide multiple dimming options. Available wattages include 100W, 288W, and 300W, with support for dimming methods including TRIAC, ELV, and 0–10V. The 288W model also provides three Class 2 outputs.
Is a higher-wattage LED power supply better?
Not necessarily. The power supply should be appropriately sized for the LED load rather than simply choosing the largest available power supply. Oversizing can affect cost and system design, while undersizing can overload the power supply. To learn more, read our article on Choosing a Power Supply.
Can I use any dimmer with a dimmable LED power supply?
No. The dimmer and power supply must be compatible. Different dimmable power supplies support different dimming methods, so always confirm that the AC dimmer matches the dimming technology supported by the power supply.
To Conclude
Choosing between a dimmable and non-dimmable LED power supply comes down to how you want to control your lighting.
If your LEDs will operate at a consistent brightness, a non-dimmable power supply is a simple and cost-effective choice. If you want to control the brightness using an AC wall dimmer, choose a compatible dimmable power supply.
For smaller loads, Triac dimmable power supplies provide a straightforward solution. For larger loads or projects that require more control flexibility, VersaDrive offers multiple dimming options and higher wattage capacities.
Whatever power supply you choose, make sure it is compatible with your LEDs and controls and is properly sized for the total LED load.
