Buzzing LED bulbs driving us mad.

[MitchT]

We have dimmer switches in the lounge. I bought dimmable LED bulbs from B&Q to replace the incandescent ones as they failed, but they buzz like mad and it's driving us up the wall. We can't change the switches as we're renting. Do we need to switch back to incandecent ones? Can you even buy them anymore?

[Baldchap]

Is it the switch or the bulb that buzzes?

[MitchT]

Never thought to ask myself that! Just checked - it's both. However, the buzzing at the switch is only noticable if you put your ear right up to it. The bulbs are buzzing loudly.

[miniman]

You can’t assume that switches designed for incandescent lamps will be able to properly dim LEDs.

[MitchT]

I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that LED bulbs marketed as "dimmable" would be compatible with dimmer switches. Maybe I'll have to find some non-LED ones.

[miniman]

MitchT said:

I assumed (perhaps wrongly) that LED bulbs marketed as "dimmable" would be compatible with dimmer switches. Maybe I'll have to find some non-LED ones.

They are compatible with dimmer switches that are designed to work with LEDs, is the important but often unmentioned distinction.

What’s stopping you from swapping the switch for one that is designed for LEDs? Who would ever know?

[MitchT]

miniman said:

What’s stopping you from swapping the switch for one that is designed for LEDs? Who would ever know?

Nothing, I suppose. The switches that are fitted are quite distinctive so the dimmer switch would have to be swapped back when we leave but in the meantime I can't see it being an issue.

[alangla]

Even with a proper LED dimmer and branded dimmable bulbs it can still be flaky. Surprised it’s just buzzing rather than the damn things flickering with every slight variation in mains voltage.

[miniman]

MitchT said:

Nothing, I suppose. The switches that are fitted are quite distinctive so the dimmer switch would have to be swapped back when we leave but in the meantime I can't see it being an issue.

You want me to send you a V-Pro dimmer module to try?

[MitchT]

miniman said:

You want me to send you a V-Pro dimmer module to try?

Thanks for the offer - a neighbour has a spare one which I'm going to try so I'll have a go with that at the weekend.

[Ham_and_Jam]

MitchT said:

Thanks for the offer - a neighbour has a spare one which I'm going to try so I'll have a go with that at the weekend.

We have the V-Pro dimmer, they’re very good.

They can be programmed for LED, halogen and incandescent. Our double dimmer switch controls one LED and one incandescent perfectly. No flickering or buzzing.