A quick guide to the most common LED dimming types including DALI, 0-10V, and phase dimming to help you choose the right solution for your lighting setup.
What is Dimming?
Dimming is the process of adjusting the brightness of a light. It lets you make the light brighter or softer to suit the mood, task, or time of day — usually with a dimmer switch or control system. Dimming adds comfort, enhances atmosphere, and allows for greater flexibility in how a space is used. It can also help save energy and extend the life of your lighting by reducing strain on the components when full brightness isn't needed.
What are the 4 Most Common Types of Dimming for LED?
- Phase-Cut Dimming (Leading Edge / Trailing Edge)
- Dali Dimming
- 0-10V Dimming
- DMX Dimming
What is Phase-Cut Dimming?
Phase-cut dimming is a method of dimming lights by cutting part of the AC (alternating current) waveform to reduce the amount of power sent to the light source. It's one of the most common ways to dim LEDs, especially in residential settings.
There are two main types of phase-cut dimming:
- Leading Edge (Triac) Dimming:
– Cuts the beginning of the AC wave
– Common in older dimmers for incandescent and halogen lights
– Can cause flickering or noise with some LED drivers - Trailing Edge (ELV) Dimming:
– Cuts the end of the AC wave
– Smoother and quieter operation
– Better suited for modern LED lighting
In short: Phase-cut dimming adjusts brightness by trimming the electrical signal. It's widely used, but compatibility between the dimmer and LED driver is key for smooth performance.
What is DALI Dimming?
DALI dimming refers to a digital lighting control system that allows precise, flexible, and reliable dimming of lights. DALI stands for Digital Addressable Lighting Interface.
Here's how it works in simple terms:
- Each light or driver has its own digital address, meaning it can be controlled individually or in groups.
- DALI uses two-way communication, so lights can send feedback (like status or faults) back to the control system.
- Dimming is smooth and accurate, often down to very low levels.
Why DALI is popular:
- Highly customizable — you can program lighting scenes, schedules, and zones.
- Reliable and scalable — great for complex or large spaces like offices, hotels, or retail stores.
- Energy-efficient — integrates well with sensors and automation.
In short: DALI is a smart, digital system that gives you advanced control over your lighting, not just dimming, but behavior, timing, and grouping too.
What is 0-10V Dimming?
0-10V dimming is an analog method of controlling light brightness by varying a DC voltage signal between 0 and 10 volts.
Here's how it works:
- 10 volts = full brightness
- 0 volts = minimum brightness (or off, if supported by the driver)
- The dimming signal is sent through separate low-voltage control wires, typically from a dimmer or lighting control system to the LED driver.
Why it's used:
- Simple and reliable
- Common in commercial and architectural lighting
- Works well for linear and consistent dimming across multiple fixtures
In short: 0-10V dimming lets you control light levels smoothly by adjusting voltage, it's a straightforward and widely used solution for dimmable LED lighting systems.
What is DMX Dimming?
DMX dimming is a digital lighting control method originally developed for stage and theatrical lighting, but now also used in architectural, decorative, and dynamic lighting installations.
What DMX stands for:
DMX = Digital Multiplex
How it works:
- DMX uses a digital signal sent over a cable to control lights.
- Each light (or fixture) is assigned a DMX address and can be controlled individually or in groups.
- It allows not just dimming, but also control over color, movement, and effects (great for RGB, RGBW, or color-changing LEDs).
Key features:
- Real-time, precise control
- Supports complex lighting scenes and effects
- Ideal for entertainment, events, architectural facades, and interactive lighting
In short: DMX dimming is a powerful digital system that lets you control light intensity, color, and effects with high precision — perfect for dynamic or creative lighting setups.
How to do the Connection for these Methods?
Phase-Cut Dimming (TRIAC/ELV)
Wires: 2 total
Live (L)
Neutral (N)
Note: No separate control wires. Dimming signal is carried through power line. Always ensure your LED driver is compatible with your dimmer (Leading Edge Vs. Trailing Edge)
0-10V Dimming
Wires: 4 total
Live (L)
Neutral (N)
Dim+
Dim−
Note: Power and control wires must be run separately. Control wires are polarity sensitive (+ with + and - with -)
DALI Dimming
Wires: 4 total
Live (L)
Neutral (N)
DALI+
DALI−
Note: Control wires are not polarity sensitive
DMX Dimming
Wires: 5 total
Live (L)
Neutral (N)
DMX+ (Data+)
DMX− (Data−)
Ground (Shield/Common)
Note: Use shielded cable; daisy-chain required.
What are the Dimming Limitations and Challenges we Face?
Phase-Cut Dimming (TRIAC/ELV)
Minimum Load Sensitivity: Many dimmers require a minimum wattage to operate correctly. LEDs often fall below this, causing flickering or non-dimming behavior.
Flickering / Dropout: Especially at low brightness levels or with incompatible drivers.
Driver Compatibility: Must match the dimmer type (leading-edge or trailing-edge). Incorrect pairing causes erratic behavior.
Audible Noise: Buzzing or humming from the dimmer or fixture.
Short Dimming Range: May not dim smoothly to 0%; bottom-out around 10–20%.
Voltage Only: Cannot offer features like grouping, remote control, or automation.
Load Type Sensitivity: Designed originally for incandescent loads — not ideal for modern LEDs unless driver is explicitly compatible.
Dimmer / Controller Load Limit : Most dimmers and controllers for phase-cut dimming have a load limit that can reach a maximum of 300-400W per circuit. This can be rather troublesome when dealing with bigger load luminaires or bigger loads in residential projects such as long runs of linear striplight.
0-10V Dimming
Analog Signal Drop: Voltage can degrade over long cable runs, leading to inconsistent brightness.
No Feedback: It’s a one-way system — controller doesn’t know if the fixture responded.
Control Conflicts: Mixing sourcing and sinking types (controller vs. driver) can lead to malfunction.
Low-End Performance: Many drivers struggle to dim smoothly below 10%, causing stepping or flicker.
Requires Proper Grounding: Floating or unstable ground can introduce noise.
No Addressing: All connected lights respond the same; no fixture-level control.
No Built-In Scene or Group Logic: Must be implemented externally if needed.
DALI Dimming
System Complexity: Requires a DALI master/controller and software to assign addresses, zones, and scenes.
Setup Time: Commissioning and addressing can be time-consuming without proper tools.
Limited Capacity: Standard DALI loop supports only 64 devices and 16 groups.
Controller Dependency: Fixtures won’t dim without an active DALI controller on the bus.
Wiring Rules: Max cable length and topology restrictions (e.g., max 300m per loop).
Firmware & Protocol Differences: Not all DALI drivers behave identically — firmware differences can cause bugs or limits in functionality.
Cost: More expensive than analog systems due to smart drivers and controller requirements.
DMX Dimming
Installation Complexity: Requires careful wiring and address setup. Long runs need repeaters.
No Error Feedback: It’s a one-way signal controller doesn’t verify delivery.
Interference Risk: Susceptible to signal noise over long, unshielded runs or if poorly grounded.
Requires Termination: Each run must be terminated properly to avoid signal reflection.
Channel Management: Each fixture uses multiple channels (especially RGB or RGBW), making large systems complex to configure.
Live Programming: Dynamic effects and scene programming require dedicated DMX controllers/software.
Not Ideal for Simple Applications: Overkill for basic dimming tasks.
Cost: Some controllers and softwares used for facade light and entertainment dimming such as Madrix and Pharos can go for thousands of dollars.
What is the Most Recommended Dimming Method?
In order to give an educated answer to what the best type of dimming is, several factors must be taken into consideration. If we are evaluating dimming purely in terms of smoothness and control, DALI dimming is a clear favorite among lighting designers and professionals who value precise lighting performance. DALI offers exceptionally smooth dimming, and compatibility between drivers and luminaires is rarely an issue—provided they share the same technical specifications.
One of DALI's greatest advantages is the ability to control and dim each luminaire individually. This feature makes it ideal for creating lighting scenes and setting the desired mood in a space. As such, we consider DALI to be the industry standard for hotels, high-end villas, and upscale restaurants.
However, to provide the most accurate recommendation, it's important to evaluate all factors of a project, including budget, timeline, control requirements, and the types of luminaires used. Below, we explore our recommendations in more detail based on project category and the most suitable dimming method for each.
For Residential and simple retrofit applications (Phase-Cut Dimming)
- Cost Effective
- No additional wiring required (only L & N)
For Mid-Grade Residential & Commercial Projects (0-10V Dimming)
- Widely supported by LED drivers and dimming controls
- Allows smooth dimming performance (subject to driver quality)
- Relatively simple to install with low-voltage control wiring
High-End ,Architectural, Large-Scale, Hotels, and Restaurants (DALI Dimming)
- Fully digital, two-way communication
- Supports individual fixture addressing, grouping, scenes, and feedback
- Scalable and suitable for integration with building management systems
Entertainment and Facade Lighting (DMX Dimming)
-High-speed digital protocol designed for real-time control
- Supports fine resolution dimming and color mixing
- Capable of controlling hundreds of channels per universe