Dimmer Switches

Choose from the connected lamp load and lamp type. For dimmable LEDs, start with a trailing-edge LED-compatible 200W model and add the actual wattage of every lamp on that circuit. A 400W dimmer is not automatically better for LEDs: a higher-rated unit can have a different minimum load or technology and may perform poorly with a small LED circuit. Use 400W only where the product specification and lamp manufacturer confirm compatibility with the circuit load. If the product page does not state the required load range clearly, pause before ordering and ask Kent Traders or the lamp manufacturer to confirm it.

Gang count is the number of separate dimmer controls on the plate. A 1-gang model controls one lighting circuit, 2-gang controls two, and 3- or 4-gang models control three or four independent circuits. Do not count the number of lamps: several lamps wired on one circuit still use one gang, provided their combined compatible load stays within that dimmer module’s range. Confirm the existing wiring and circuit count before ordering, especially when replacing a standard multi-gang switch.

The products in this collection are described as 2-way push dimmers, but the companion control and wiring arrangement must match the individual product instructions. In a typical 2-way circuit, dimming is performed at the dimmer position and the second position switches the circuit. Do not install two ordinary dimmers on the same circuit unless the manufacturer explicitly supports that arrangement. A qualified electrician should identify the existing conductors, verify the companion switch and test the completed circuit.

Allow a 35mm-deep 1-gang or 2-gang box where the selected dimmer and wiring permit; deeper 47mm boxes can give useful cable space on crowded circuits. Some products here are already sold with a stated 25mm or 35mm steel box, so read the exact bundle title before adding a separate box. Box depth, plate gang and wall type must all match, and the cables must fold without strained terminals. Installation is mains electrical work and should be completed and tested by a qualified electrician.

Confirm that every lamp is marked dimmable, record the lamp make and model, multiply its wattage by the number of lamps, and compare that total with the selected dimmer’s stated LED load range. Also confirm gang count, 1-way or 2-way wiring, back-box depth and whether the polished-chrome plate matches the rest of the BG Nexus Metal room. Mixing lamp models on one dimmed circuit can cause flicker or uneven low-level performance, so use a consistent compatible lamp set where possible.