Dimming Conformity

The standard EN 61000-3-2 is not foreseeing the operation of lamps/luminaires with integrated electronic (Energy-saving lamps or LED lamps/luminaires) on phase cut dimmer.
Therefore, a CE conformity certificate with regard to the EMI directive for such a system (lamp/luminaire and phase cut dimmer) cannot be provided under the standard.

International activities are already in progress that takes into account phase cut dimmers in connection with lamps/luminaires with integrated electronics in the relevant standard EN 61000-3-2 and corresponding changes will be probably decided within a year.

The dimming behavior of lamps with integrated electronics distinguishes from conventional incandescent or halogen lamps since they are based on different technological concept. This behavior can be limited in certain cases.

LED lamps contain several electronic components. Under unfavourable conditions these can lead to acoustic noise. In case of resonance even low noise can cause audible effect. Possible factors influencing this are the installation, the design of the lamp holder and the luminaire (acoustic resonance effect) as well as the dimmer or the transformer (harmonics or electronic resonance).