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How to Control Under Cabinet Lighting: Touch Dimmers, PIR & Door Sensors
Under cabinet lighting should do more than look good: it should switch on when you need it and work naturally with the way you use your kitchen. Would you prefer to tap to dim the lights, have them come on when you walk past, or illuminate a cupboard automatically when the door opens?
In this guide we compare touch dimmers, PIR motion sensors, single-door and double-door sensors, and ordinary on/off wall switches. We explain what each control does, which type suits different kitchen layouts and how to select a compatible option in the Loops 24V Lighting Project Builder.
Quick answer
Choose a touch dimmer if you want to switch a compatible dimmable lighting zone on/off and adjust its brightness. Choose PIR for automatic activation when movement is detected, or a single- or double-door sensor to illuminate a cupboard when a door opens. If you only need conventional on/off control, you may not need a separate sensor at all. The right choice depends on the light fitting and how you want each lighting zone to behave.
How do under cabinet light controls work?
In a typical low-voltage kitchen lighting system, a compatible LED driver converts the incoming mains supply to the voltage used by the lights. The controls then determine when the lighting switches on and off and, with an appropriate dimmable fitting and controller, whether its brightness can change.
The Loops 24V range uses one matched driver per lighting zone. A zone is a group of lights that operate together. One compatible touch, PIR or door sensor operates all the lights connected within that zone; you do not need one sensor for every individual light.
The compatible sensor connects to a dedicated control connection on the driver rather than using one of the light output ports. If you want another kitchen area to work independently, create a second zone with its own driver and control choice.
Five ways to control your under cabinet lights
Each option offers a different everyday experience. The important question is not just which sensor sounds most advanced, but where you will use the lights and how you want them to respond.
01 · Manual brightness control
Touch On/Off & Dimmer Sensor
Best for: everyday worktop lighting when you want bright task light while preparing food and a softer glow later in the evening.
Tap the compatible sensor to switch the whole lighting zone on or off. Touch and hold to adjust the brightness. The Loops touch dimmer remembers the previous brightness setting when the lights are switched back on.
Important: this option is only available with dimmable light styles. A touch dimmer is not a colour-temperature selector and cannot make a non-dimmable fitting dimmable.
02 · Hands-free activation
PIR Motion / Occupancy Sensor
Best for: hands-free switching in suitable kitchen, utility and fitted-furniture areas where motion detection is useful.
The PIR sensor switches the zone on when movement is detected within its coverage area. The Loops 24V PIR sensor has an approximate 1–3m detection range and 90° detection angle. It keeps the lights on while movement continues and switches them off approximately 30 seconds after movement stops.
Worth knowing: PIR responds to detected movement, not simply someone remaining perfectly still. Positioning and the direction of approach matter, so check the sensor's installation guide before fixing it.
03 · One cupboard door
Single Door Sensor
Best for: a single-door cupboard or suitable enclosed display space where you want light when the door opens.
Open the door and the connected lighting zone turns on. Close it and the lights switch off. The Loops sensor works at approximately 1–3cm sensing distance when positioned correctly relative to the closed door.
Planning tip: if the purpose is to illuminate just one cupboard, keep those lights in their own zone rather than connecting the sensor to every light under the kitchen cabinets.
04 · Two cupboard doors
Double Door Sensor
Best for: double-door cupboards, display units or suitable fitted furniture where either door should activate the same lights.
Either of two independently opening doors can activate the connected zone. As with the single-door version, the sensor is designed for close-range operation at approximately 1–3cm from the door when it is closed.
Planning tip: use the double-door option when two doors share one lighting area; it is not a substitute for creating separate zones when you need two independent sets of lights.
05 · Simple conventional switching
Standard Wall Switch or Plug-in On/Off
Best for: kitchens where you want the lighting to operate from an ordinary on/off switch rather than a dedicated sensor.
Choose No Sensor in the Builder. A suitably arranged standard on/off wall switch can control the driver's mains supply, or the optional compatible UK plug cable may suit an appropriate socket arrangement.
Important: the standard Loops 24V drivers do not support dimming from a mains wall dimmer. A conventional switch is on/off only; fixed mains wiring must be arranged by a suitably qualified electrician.
Which control is best for your kitchen?
There is no single right answer for every layout. Here are some practical examples:
Main preparation worktop
Choose a touch dimmer with dimmable lights if you want to vary between cooking brightness and gentle evening lighting.
Hands-free utility area
Consider PIR when automatic activation on detecting movement suits the space and detection range.
Single pantry cupboard
A single-door sensor can illuminate the cupboard as the door opens without a separate manual action.
Double-door display cupboard
A double-door sensor allows either door to activate one shared lighting zone.
Want to decide where the light fittings belong first? Read our guides to how many under cabinet lights you need and where to position them.
Can you dim any 24V under cabinet light?
No. The voltage alone does not tell you whether a light can be dimmed. Dimming compatibility depends on the actual LED fitting and the control system. For example, Loops Aurelia, Eclipse and Vela include dimmable options, while the Linea Compact, Linea Select and Linea Pure styles are not dimmable and therefore do not offer the touch dimmer route in the Builder.
It is also worth separating two similar-sounding features:
Dimming changes how bright the light appears.
Colour Changing White (CCT) changes the shade of white, such as warm, natural or cool. Having CCT does not automatically mean the fitting is dimmable, and a touch dimmer does not necessarily change its colour temperature.
The Project Builder shows the controls compatible with the light style and version you have selected. If a touch dimmer is unavailable, choose another supported control or a dimmable style instead of attempting to fit an unrelated dimming device.
How do lighting zones affect the controls?
Imagine an L-shaped kitchen with six lights above the main worktop, three lights along a second run, and a separate display cupboard. You may not want all three areas to work the same way.
Zone 1 — Main worktop: dimmable lights with one touch dimmer.
Zone 2 — Secondary worktop: lights using a standard on/off wall switch.
Zone 3 — Display cupboard: a separate set of lights operated by its own suitable door sensor.
In the Loops system, each zone has one driver and one selected control route. Multiple lights within that zone respond together. If you need another control behaviour, create another zone rather than trying to mix touch dimming, PIR and door sensing on the same driver.
A sensor uses the driver's dedicated control connection, so it does not consume one of the light output ports. And where the chosen number of fittings requires more connections, the Builder adds the compatible distribution blocks. Read our LED driver guide for a fuller explanation of power and distribution.
Where should you fit the sensor?
Sensor position changes how useful the system feels. A touch sensor should be easy to reach without becoming an obstruction; a PIR sensor needs a suitable view of the movement you want it to detect; and door sensors must be aligned so the closed door falls within their short sensing range.
The compatible Loops sensor accessories include a 2m fitted connection cable and a surface mount adapter. The sensor head can also be recessed where the particular fitting and cabinet allow; the specified sensor-head opening is 12mm, with approximately 14mm maximum head diameter and 20mm depth. Confirm these dimensions and the mounting instructions against the exact sensor supplied before drilling.
Plan routing away from hinges, moving doors, damp locations, cooking heat and sharp edges. Leave the driver and connections appropriately accessible and ventilated; mains electrical connections and any alterations to fixed wiring should be completed by a suitably qualified electrician.
For tidy wiring ideas, see our guide to hiding under cabinet lighting wires and LED drivers.
How to choose the right controls in the Loops Project Builder
You do not need to build a component list from scratch. Start with the light fitting and let the Builder guide you towards the control routes that work with it.
Step 1 — Choose your light style
Compare recessed, round surface mounted, slim round, square, triangle and linear fittings.
Step 2 — Set the finish, white light and quantity
Make the visual choices for the area you want to illuminate.
Step 3 — Review the matched driver
The Builder selects a suitable 24V power supply and adds required light distribution.
Step 4 — Choose your control
Select touch dimming (when supported), PIR, single-door, double-door or No Sensor. Only compatible options are offered for the chosen light.
Step 5 — Add accessories and review your project
Plan compatible extension leads and the mains connection, add another zone if needed, then check the complete breakdown and project price before adding to the basket.
Our bespoke under cabinet lighting guide explains the wider process, including building a system for multiple kitchen areas.
Common mistakes when choosing under cabinet lighting controls
- Assuming all 24V lights are dimmable. Check the exact style and version; the Builder removes unsupported touch dimming choices.
- Connecting a standard mains wall dimmer to the supplied driver. Loops standard 24V drivers are not designed for this; a standard wall switch is on/off only.
- Expecting PIR to detect a completely still person indefinitely. PIR works through detecting movement; choose the location carefully.
- Putting a cupboard door sensor on the whole kitchen zone. If you only want cupboard lighting to switch, give it a separate zone.
- Fitting a door sensor too far from the closed door. The 1–3cm sensing range makes alignment important.
- Buying unrelated sensors or splitters. Use the specific compatible control options offered for the lights and driver you have chosen.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need one sensor for every under cabinet light?
No. One compatible sensor controls all lights within its Loops 24V zone. Each zone has its own matched driver and control arrangement.
Can I use a PIR sensor instead of a wall switch?
Yes, where a PIR sensor and permanently powered driver are appropriate for the installation. The compatible PIR sensor can control the lighting zone automatically when movement is detected. Confirm the electrical arrangement and safety requirements with your installer.
Will a PIR sensor keep the lights on while I'm sitting still?
Not necessarily. The Loops PIR is movement activated, with an approximate 30-second hold after movement stops. It is not the same as a specialised presence sensor designed to detect very subtle motion.
Do I need the touch dimmer if my lights are Colour Changing White (CCT)?
Not automatically. CCT and dimming are different functions. Check whether the particular CCT light is dimmable and select the compatible control if you want adjustable brightness.
Can I use a standard wall dimmer with these 24V drivers?
No. The standard Loops 24V drivers are not compatible with mains wall dimmers. A normal on/off wall switch can be used where the mains wiring is arranged appropriately; for supported dimmable lights, use the compatible Touch On/Off & Dimmer.
Can a double-door sensor control two separate lighting zones?
No. Its two-door function operates the lights connected within one zone. If two groups must switch independently, plan separate zones with their own drivers and controls.
Are sensors included with every light?
Not necessarily. Individual light starting prices do not mean a sensor or driver is included. The Builder lets you review the full selected system and price; ready-to-buy kits may have their own stated inclusions.
Can I install a sensor myself?
Follow the exact sensor and light instructions, check the cabinet construction and route low-voltage cables safely. Fixed mains wiring and any alteration to the driver's mains connection should be handled by a suitably qualified electrician.
Choose controls that suit the way you use your kitchen
Touch dimming offers flexible everyday brightness, PIR sensing offers hands-free convenience, and door sensors make cupboards and fitted furniture feel effortless to use. The most useful system is the one planned for your actual kitchen, with the right fittings, power supply, cable routes and lighting zones.
With the Loops Lighting Project Builder, you can choose your preferred under cabinet lights and see the compatible control options alongside the matched driver and complete project price.
This article explains the Loops 24V control options for general planning. Always follow the product-specific sensor, light and driver instructions; suitability varies by fitting and installation. The Builder button is intended to open the Project Builder on the 24V collection page. Any fixed mains electrical work should be undertaken by a suitably qualified electrician.