The bottom of the curve is where it fails
Almost all LED dimming complaints concern the last ten per cent: flicker, sudden drop-out, colour shift, or a visible step. Nobody complains about dimming from 100% to 50%. Specify by the lowest usable level, not the headline dimming range.
Driver and dimmer are one decision
A phase-dimming driver behaves differently on every dimmer module. Compatibility is a tested combination, not a specification claim. Where a manufacturer publishes a tested compatibility list, use it — where none exists, treat it as a risk.
Why DALI avoids the problem
A digital protocol sends a level value rather than manipulating the mains waveform, so the driver controls its own dimming curve. This is why DALI installations dim smoothly to 0.1% where phase dimming struggles below 5%.
Logarithmic curves and perception
The eye responds logarithmically. A driver using a linear curve appears to do most of its dimming in the top half of the slider and then drop off a cliff. Specify a logarithmic curve and the control feels proportionate across its whole travel.
