Electrical question: Halogen lights and dimmers
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Electrical question: Halogen lights and dimmers
Hey!
Is it o.k. to use dimmer switches on standard-type (not low-voltage) halogen lights?
I know flourescent lamps don't like it - start humming and all, but incandescent lamps are fine with it. I would imagine that the low-voltage halogens might not be happy running that way, but is there any reason that the full 120V kind (without the step-down transformer) can't?
Thanks!
-Sam
Is it o.k. to use dimmer switches on standard-type (not low-voltage) halogen lights?
I know flourescent lamps don't like it - start humming and all, but incandescent lamps are fine with it. I would imagine that the low-voltage halogens might not be happy running that way, but is there any reason that the full 120V kind (without the step-down transformer) can't?
Thanks!
-Sam
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Danville, Pa
Also, there are dimmers out there for flourescent lights. However, I belive they work off of an electronic circut(SCR's maybe) that eliminate the hum, versus the rheostat type dimmers found in incandesent lights. If you are going to use halogen lighst on a dimmmer, make sure you use a good one rated for at least 1000 watts. Don't buy the cheap 600 watt dimmers with little or no heat sink on them. And make sure you follow the instalation directions to the tee!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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LIL Duke is correct there are dimmers for florecscent lights as well. Buy the good dimmers 1000v. I do electrical work part time and you can dim just about anything if you find the correct dimmer switch. A lot of your under cabinet lights and accent lighting are halogens.
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