Dimmer switch questions
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Westminster, CO
Dimmer switch questions
Previous home owner installed two adjacent dimmer switches which replaced single pole light switches to an overhead flood light, and an overhead 6 bulb chandelier 60 W for a total of 360 W. The dimmer switches look like a normal on-off toggle switch. The flood works perfectly through the whole range, however the chandelier flickers throughout the dimmed range, but functions perfectly at full on. I know to check the wires for proper polarity, tightness of connection as well as proper ground. Does this sound like a defective dimmer, or is there some interaction between the two dimmers? The circuit is on a 15A breaker, and 12 gauge wire. Thanks for any information.
Scott
Scott
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Where's my map???
The dimmer may not be rated for that amount of wattage. Change it with a better grade and higher wattage, and you should be good. Dimmer switches create alot of heat, and cheap dimmers just don't last b/c of this.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: in the woods of MA
How fast does the light flicker? It could be either the dimmer or the bulb, but most likely is the dimmer. Is there any buzzing coming from the dimmer?
Most modern dimmer switches aren't rheostats, they actually chop up the current as the voltage varies over the AC sine wave. So rather than reducing the voltage, they actually deliver "bursts" of current. So at a partial dimmed setting the dimmer is actually only feeding current to the light maybe 50% of the time. This works well as the energy that you don't want going to the light isn't dissipated as heat, as would happen with a rheostat. But the down side is that the "choppiness" of the current can cause some 60/120 Hz flickering and humming sometimes.
I'd try another bulb first (it's probably not that, but that's cheap to try), and if that doesn't work replace the dimmer.
Most modern dimmer switches aren't rheostats, they actually chop up the current as the voltage varies over the AC sine wave. So rather than reducing the voltage, they actually deliver "bursts" of current. So at a partial dimmed setting the dimmer is actually only feeding current to the light maybe 50% of the time. This works well as the energy that you don't want going to the light isn't dissipated as heat, as would happen with a rheostat. But the down side is that the "choppiness" of the current can cause some 60/120 Hz flickering and humming sometimes.
I'd try another bulb first (it's probably not that, but that's cheap to try), and if that doesn't work replace the dimmer.
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