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The load placed on each dimmer gang is based on the number of lamps on the connected circuit. The load is measured in Watts, and each lamp will have its own rating usually printed on the side. If you have multiple bulbs on the same circuit, you need to add them together to work out the total load. Too little load means that the bulbs may not turn on or off properly. Too much load means that you could damage or destroy the light fitting, so it is important to get this right.
Incandescent load (including halogens and Eco-halogens)
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Incandescent load represents the load of a traditional filament or halogen lightbulb (generally 20-100W). Connect Series 1 & 2 gang dimmers are rated at 250W maximum per gang, and 3 & 4 gang dimmers are rated at 210W maximum. Smart Series 1 gang dimmers are rated at MK1 - 350W MK2-280W and 2, 3 & 4 gangs at 200W.
We recommend the following: Providing you stay within the maximum wattage guidelines (as above) the quantity of lamps/bulbs should not be an issue.
LED Load
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LED loads differs from incandescent load (and will be significantly lower than the max incandescent load). Each LED lamp differs in terms of its operational behaviour and subsequent compatibility; therefore loading limits vary between different lamps. We strongly recommend that you check Lightwave compatibility charts for Smart and Connect Series dimmers for the maximum and minimum recommended loading limits and lamp numbers for each lamp type.
Due to this disparity, we do not offer a universal maximum LED load, however, as a general guideline please see below:
We make the following recommendations if you are using lamps/bulbs that are NOT on our compatibility charts:
Smart Series
We recommend no more than 15 LED lamps per gang with a max rating of between 80-100w.
10w minimum per channel which can be reduced to around 5w when a neutral wire is connected.
This recommendation applies to 1, 2, 3 and 4 gang dimmers
Connect Series
1 & 2 Gang dimmers - We recommend no more than 10 lamps per gang with a max rating of up to 60w
3 & 4 Gang dimmers - We recommend no more than 8 lamps per gang with a max rating of up to 55w
Min 20w per channel on all connect series dimmers
When it comes to LED’s they have such a short lifespan due to the changing technology and components within the bulb As the industry changes, it is difficult for us to keep on top of the LED’s that are being introduced into the market. However, from testing the smart series range of dimmers with multiple different bulbs, most dimmable LED’s will work with the dimmer as long as you have calibrated the dimmer and have made dimming level adjustments. Most bulbs will work with an auto calibration but if not then a manual calibration from the app can help.
Unfortunately, some bulbs do not work, these bulbs include G4's, G9's, MR16's, LED tape with 12v dimmable drivers (must be 24v), energy-saving bulbs, and some low-wattage bulbs.
As a general rule of thumb when using our new smart series dimmers please see the following information: We recommend no more than 15 LED lamps per gang with a max rating of between 80-100w and a 10w minimum load per channel which can be reduced to around 5w when a neutral wire is connected.
LED Strip Lighting
We make the following recommendations if you are using LED Strip Lighting
Smart Series
- 24v LED Triac Dimmable driver is required to work with Lightwave dimmers, this helps provide better dimming and compatibility - 12v dimmable drivers do not work with our system
- No more than 10m of strip per channel
- No more than 100w total output per channel
- Min of 10w per dimmer gang
- Only 1 driver can be used per channel. Using multiple drivers on the same circuit can cause damage to the dimmer.
- Use the gel type IP65 rated LED strips as we found them to be better with dimming and durability
- Highly recommended to connect a neutral wire where possible to improve dimming performance
- RGB strip will not work with our dimmers due to incompatibility, please only use white and warm white
Connect Series
- 24v LED Triac Dimmable driver is required to work with Lightwave dimmers, this helps provide better dimming and compatibility - 12v dimmable drivers do not work with our system
- No more than 5m of strip per channel
- No more than 50w total output per channel
- Min of 20w per dimmer gang
- Only 1 driver can be used per channel. Using multiple drivers on the same circuit can cause damage to the dimmer. Use the gel type IP65 rated LED strips as we found them to be better with dimming and durability
- RGB strip will not work with our dimmers due to incompatibility, please only use white and warm white
Compatibility charts
Click on the link below to access the latest charts. These charts are constantly updated and expanded, but please be aware that due to the number of lamps on the market, we cannot test every available variety.