Lighting Controls & Dimmers Melbourne
Take control of your lighting with dimmers, scene switches, and smart home integration. Create the perfect ambience, save energy, and control lights from anywhere.
Why Lighting Control Matters
Lighting control is about flexibility. Your lighting needs change throughout the day — bright for cleaning and tasks, softer for relaxing, dim for movie watching. Without dimmers or scene controls, you\'re stuck with full brightness or nothing.
At Power Amp Electrical, we install lighting control systems across Melbourne that range from simple LED-compatible dimmers through to sophisticated whole-home automation. Whether you want basic dimming or full smart home integration with voice control, we\'ll design a solution that suits your needs and budget.
All our lighting controls are professionally installed by licensed electricians, ensuring compatibility with your existing lights and safe, reliable operation for years to come.
Types of Lighting Control
Traditional Dimmers
Rotary or slide dimmers that let you manually adjust brightness from 0-100%. Simple, reliable, and perfect for any room. LED-compatible dimmers provide smooth, flicker-free control.
Scene Controllers
Multi-button switches that recall preset lighting scenes with a single press. Set "Movie", "Dinner", "Reading", and "Bedtime" scenes — each button adjusts multiple lights to predefined levels.
Smart Lighting Controls
Voice-controlled and app-controlled lighting via Google Home, Alexa, or Apple HomeKit. Control lights remotely, set schedules, create routines, and integrate with your smart home.
The Benefits of Lighting Control
Create the perfect ambience for any activity or time of day
Reduce energy consumption by dimming lights instead of running them at full brightness
Extend LED bulb lifespan by running them at lower outputs
Eliminate harsh, overlighting that makes spaces feel sterile
Control lights via voice commands, smartphone apps, or automated schedules
Increase home value with modern lighting control systems
Smart Lighting Control Options
From simple smart switches to complete home automation — we install it all.
Smart Dimmer Switches
From $180 per switch installed
Replace your existing light switches with smart dimmers. Control via app, voice (Google/Alexa), or the physical switch. Set schedules and create scenes.
Works with existing LED downlights and fixtures
Smart Bulbs
From $50 per bulb + installation
LED bulbs with built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Control colour temperature, brightness, and even colours via smartphone app. Great for lamps and feature lights.
Works in standard light sockets
Whole-Home Systems
From $5,000 for complete home
Professional lighting control systems like Clipsal C-Bus or Dynalite. Centralised control of all lighting, integration with blinds and air conditioning, and sophisticated scene programming.
Requires professional installation and programming
What We Consider When Installing Lighting Controls
Type of lights you're controlling (LED, halogen, CFL)
Number of lights on each circuit
Whether you want voice control and smart home integration
Existing switch configuration (single switch, multi-way switching)
Whether you need trailing edge or leading edge dimming
Budget and desired level of sophistication
Lighting Control FAQs
Will my existing dimmer work with LED lights?
Probably not well. Old dimmers designed for halogen or incandescent lights often cause LED flickering, buzzing, humming, or limited dimming range. LED-compatible dimmers use different technology (trailing edge rather than leading edge) and provide smooth, silent dimming from 100% down to 1%. We recommend upgrading to an LED-compatible dimmer when you switch to LED lights.
What's the difference between a dimmer and a scene controller?
A dimmer adjusts the brightness of lights on a single circuit. A scene controller has multiple buttons, each programmed to recall a preset "scene" — for example, one button might dim the overhead lights to 30% and turn on wall sconces, while another button brings everything to 100%. Scene controllers are fantastic in living rooms, bedrooms, and media rooms where you use lighting differently throughout the day.
Can I control my lights with Google Home or Alexa?
Yes. We install smart dimmer switches and smart bulbs that integrate with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. You can control lights via voice commands ("Hey Google, dim the living room to 50%"), smartphone apps, or automated routines based on time of day. Smart lighting is more affordable than you might think.
What's trailing edge vs leading edge dimming?
This refers to how the dimmer controls power to the light. Leading edge dimmers (the old style) work well with halogen and incandescent lights but cause LED flickering. Trailing edge dimmers are designed for LEDs and provide smooth, silent dimming. When we install dimmers for LED lights, we always use trailing edge (or hybrid) dimmers to ensure proper performance.
How much does it cost to install dimmer switches?
A standard LED-compatible dimmer costs $120-$180 installed (including the dimmer unit). Smart dimmers cost $180-$280 installed. Scene controllers start from $350 installed. Whole-home lighting control systems start from around $5,000 depending on the number of zones and level of sophistication.
Can you install dimmers in a multi-way switching setup?
Yes, though it's more complex. Multi-way switching (where multiple switches control the same lights) requires special multi-way dimmers. Smart dimmers often simplify multi-way setups because you can control the lights from anywhere via your phone. We'll assess your existing switching and provide the best solution.
Do dimmers save energy?
Yes. When you dim LED lights, they consume less power. Dimming to 50% brightness reduces energy consumption by approximately 40%. Over time, this adds up to real savings — plus you're extending the lifespan of your LED fittings. Dimmers pay for themselves through reduced energy bills.
Ready to Take Control of Your Lighting?
Get a free, no-obligation quote for lighting control installation.