Light Dimmer

dpg · 06-21-2011, 06:35 AM

I have recessed lights in the kitchen that are on a dimmer switch (rotary.) When I dim them if I get close to the switch I can hear a humming coming from it. The noise goes away when the lights are set to their brightest. The bulbs are the energy efficient ones if that matters.

TOAD · 06-21-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

I have recessed lights in the kitchen that are on a dimmer switch (rotary.) When I dim them if I get close to the switch I can hear a humming coming from it. The noise goes away when the lights are set to their brightest. The bulbs are the energy efficient ones if that matters.

If they are the CFL's (compact fluorescent light bulbs) I don't believe they are made for being on a dimmer swith. Might be the cause of the hum.

dpg · 06-21-2011, 09:25 AM

They do not dim down good and low like the traditional ones they only go down slightly then turn off. Is there any danger (fire??) by dimming them as much as they will go and letting the control hum?

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-21-2011, 08:11 PM

I stole this from http://ask.metafilter.com/20346/How-...s-from-buzzing

Your dimmers may be running at close to their rated capacity. (To find this out, try removing some of the bulbs and see if the dimmer gets any quieter.) You need a beefier dimmer, probably, or else split up the lights into two or three banks with separate switches.

Perhaps the dimmers are the (common) triac-based ones? Are you sure the buzzing is coming from the dimmer, or is it coming from the lights? If it's the lights, then it's the current waveform generated by a triac dimmer. You should be able to find autotransformer-based dimmer units, which would be silent.

Belmont Resident · 06-22-2011, 05:38 AM

There are some things that you should talk to a professional about. Call Laconia electric or a professional electrician. Do not call Lowes or HD as many of their dept people have no clue about what they actually sell. That being said there are some who do.
Also when buying a part such as a dimmer it pays to spend the extra money and get the correct part for the job. Not saying you don’t already have it. When it comes to electrical controls it is better to have a part over rated for the job rather then under rated.

TOAD · 06-22-2011, 07:31 AM

GE link for faq's:

http://www.gelighting.com/na/busines...faqs/cfl.htm#1

Google "cfl's and dimmers. Quite a few different hits.

It appears that there are cfl's that are made to be used with special dimmers.

06-22-2011, 05:38 AM	#5
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Talk to an electrician There are some things that you should talk to a professional about. Call Laconia electric or a professional electrician. Do not call Lowes or HD as many of their dept people have no clue about what they actually sell. That being said there are some who do. Also when buying a part such as a dimmer it pays to spend the extra money and get the correct part for the job. Not saying you don’t already have it. When it comes to electrical controls it is better to have a part over rated for the job rather then under rated.

06-22-2011, 07:31 AM	#6
TOAD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Soon to be Moultonboro Posts: 258 Thanks: 1 Thanked 81 Times in 34 Posts	GE link for faq's: http://www.gelighting.com/na/busines...faqs/cfl.htm#1 Google "cfl's and dimmers. Quite a few different hits. It appears that there are cfl's that are made to be used with special dimmers. __________________ "Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.....Unknown....but attributed to George Washington

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06-21-2011, 06:35 AM	#1
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,591 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	Light Dimmer I have recessed lights in the kitchen that are on a dimmer switch (rotary.) When I dim them if I get close to the switch I can hear a humming coming from it. The noise goes away when the lights are set to their brightest. The bulbs are the energy efficient ones if that matters.

06-21-2011, 09:25 AM	#3
dpg Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 2,591 Thanks: 150 Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts	They do not dim down good and low like the traditional ones they only go down slightly then turn off. Is there any danger (fire??) by dimming them as much as they will go and letting the control hum?

06-21-2011, 08:11 PM	#4
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	I stole this from http://ask.metafilter.com/20346/How-...s-from-buzzing Your dimmers may be running at close to their rated capacity. (To find this out, try removing some of the bulbs and see if the dimmer gets any quieter.) You need a beefier dimmer, probably, or else split up the lights into two or three banks with separate switches. Perhaps the dimmers are the (common) triac-based ones? Are you sure the buzzing is coming from the dimmer, or is it coming from the lights? If it's the lights, then it's the current waveform generated by a triac dimmer. You should be able to find autotransformer-based dimmer units, which would be silent.