Light Switch & Dimmer Installation in Kent

Why a dimmer makes LEDs flicker

By far the most common switch problem we get called about is LED lights that flicker, buzz, or refuse to dim smoothly. Nine times out of ten it isn’t the bulbs, it’s the dimmer. Most older dimmers were designed for the heavy load of halogen or filament lamps. Modern LEDs draw a tiny fraction of that, and the old dimmer simply can’t control them cleanly, so you get flicker at the bottom of the range, a hum from the switch, or lamps that snap off instead of fading.

We fix this by matching the dimmer to the lamps rather than guessing. Across Kent we change out switches and dimmers, fit extra switching, and tidy up the small annoyances that make a room harder to live in than it needs to be.

Getting LED dimming right

The fix for flickering LEDs is a trailing-edge dimmer rated for LED loads, paired with dimmable lamps. Get that pairing right and the lights fade smoothly all the way down with no buzz and no flicker.

A couple of details matter: the dimmer has a minimum and maximum load it’s happy with, and a small number of LED lamps can fall below the minimum, so the spec needs checking. We confirm compatibility before fitting, and we set the dimmer’s low-end trim so the lights come on reliably every time rather than stuttering at the bottom.

Two-way and multi-point switching

It’s a small change that makes a big difference: controlling one light from two or three places. A landing light switched at the top and bottom of the stairs, a bedroom light switched at the door and the bed, a long hallway switched at both ends.

We add two-way and intermediate switching where the cabling allows, planning the route to keep the work tidy. If you’ve ever walked across a dark room to the only switch, this is the job that fixes it.

Smart switches

Smart switches and app or voice control are increasingly popular, and they range from simple to fiddly. Some need a neutral conductor at the switch, which older switch drops don’t always have, so the choice of switch depends on what’s behind the faceplate.

We’ll advise on what will work with your wiring and your setup, fit it, and make sure it does what you expect before we leave, rather than handing you a box and a problem.

How we fit switches and dimmers

We start by getting the detail right: the problem you’re having, the room, the finish you want (white, brushed steel, black, screwless), and the lamps in use. We confirm compatibility, fit and test, including the full dimming range, and demonstrate it before tidying up.

Most switch and dimmer work is quick, and we’re happy to take on a single switch as readily as a whole house of them. It’s all quoted before we start.

Related work

Sorting the lights themselves? See downlights and spotlights and ceiling lights and light fittings. For wider work around the home, see domestic electrical. To book, get in touch and tell us the switch problem and the room.