Ask Ovia | Why are most downlights dimmable as standard?

The head of the Ovia lighting business, Mike Collins, and his team of technical experts answer the latest lighting-related queries.

Q. Why are most of the downlights available now ‘dimmable’? Do all houses now have dimmers in them throughout?
Eric, Mindhand Lighting

That’s a very good question. Up until just a couple of years ago it was standard practice for manufacturers to have both dimmable and non-dimmable downlights on the wholesalers’ shelves.

As the LED market has grown and the price differential between dimmable and non-dimmable downlights has become significantly reduced, there has been a collective move to offer a dimmable downlight as standard. As well as helping to minimise stock holdings for wholesalers, it provides the end user with all options when it comes to install. The fitting will still operate under normal switch loads or down the line if the client would like dimmable fittings, it would just be a case of replacing the standard switch with a dimmer switch.

All products in Ovia’s Inceptor and FlameGuard downlights ranges are offered as dimmable as standard. They’re fully compliant and have the corresponding test certification to meet the very latest regulations. In line with recent new guidelines issued by the NHBC, Ovia has completed further testing on its fire-rated downlights for fire resistance compliance with all ceiling types – solid timber, I-joists and metal web joists – to demonstrate that these satisfy the new guidelines.

Thanks to Eric from Mindhand Lighting for this month’s question. A special edition Ovia travel mug is on its way to him!

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