SMPS LED bulbs dying running off dimmer switch

[lordvader88]

In a rental house someone has a dimmer switch for some of the mains 120V lights. And were using LED bulbs, and 1/2 of them stopped working. IDK if they used the dimmer or not.

I opened 1 up figuring a series LED fried, but they all work. There's some type of buck converter in there. I mapped it all out but to me the design seems very strange so far. There's 1 inductor that must be open, so maybe I found the problem.

In general tho none of the "eco" bulbs with a SMPS in the socket should ever be used with a dimmer switch right ?

I should tell the landlord either use incandescent's or take out the dimmer (since tenants can't be trusted with simple instructions like don't use the dimmer)

[Zero999]

As a general rule, LED lamps cannot be used with a standard dimmer circuit. It can cause problems with flicker, damage to the lamps or dimmer circuit.

Special LED lamps which are designed to work with a standard dimmer circuit can be purchased, but they're more expensive and are slightly less efficient.

[JS]

Yes, put a switch, incandescent or dimmerable lamps.

JS

[james_s]

My observation is that about 80% of the LED bulbs from reputable brands can be used on dimmers. Special LED rated dimmers are preferable but most will work to some degree on a standard dimmer. If in doubt, look at the package, it will say. I have lots of Philips, Cree and Feit LED bulbs that are dimmable.