Systems & Solutions

1% vs 0.1% Dimming

Dimming is not only a control setting. It defines how light behaves as a space changes.

Juniper lighting systems can be specified with 1% or 0.1% dimming, depending on the luminaire. The difference is the lowest light level the fixture can reach before turning off.

1% Dimming

1% dimming brings the fixture to a low, controlled level while keeping the light present in the space.

For most architectural applications, this is enough.

It works well for offices, retail environments, circulation areas, kitchens, workspaces, and projects where the fixture needs to shift from full output to a comfortable low level.

0.1% Dimming

0.1% dimming lowers the output to one-tenth of 1%. It gives the designer a quieter low end and a wider range of control.

It works well in hospitality, residential interiors, galleries, restaurants, bedrooms, lounges, and other spaces where low ambient scenes are part of the design intent.

Why the Eye Needs 0.1%

Brightness percentages describe the fixture. The eye works differently — it perceives roughly the square root of measured light. At 10% output, a room still reads about a third as bright as full. At 1% — the floor of standard dimming — the light still reads near 10%. Visibly on.

That is why deep evening scenes call for 0.1%. It reaches the bottom third of what the eye can perceive — the range where light recedes toward candlelight without switching off.

The dashed line is what the numbers suggest. The solid curve is what you see.

How to Choose

Choose 1% dimming when the fixture needs to remain visibly active at low output.

Choose 0.1% dimming when the light needs to recede further, support evening scenes, or hold a very low ambient condition without feeling abrupt.

Specification Note

Minimum dimming level should be coordinated with the selected luminaire, power supply, dimming method, control system, and project wiring. For project-specific guidance, Juniper can help confirm the correct configuration before ordering.