Dimmer Switch Problem

[hiddenflight]

Hi All,

I have a new ceiling light which has x10 20 watt halogen bulbs, which equals a total of 200 watts.

The problem is, when I fitted a 400 watt dimmer switch for the light, the dimmer switch and the light made a hideous crackling noise. I have since replaced the dimmer switch with a standard light switch and everything is fine.

Why would the dimmer switch be causing this problem?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve]

if the lights are 12 volts, the dimmer may not be suitable for use with transformers.

 

[RF Lighting]

Most fancy fittings with lots of little lamps tend to have torroidal wound transformers, which will not dim with a standard dimmer switch. You will need one which is designed for dimming these types of transformer.

This one is suitable for dimming all types of ELV lighting. (It's not especially cheap though)

 

[hiddenflight]

Thanks Guys,

I wasn't aware of the nuances of low wattage halogen bulbs with regards to dimmer switches - but i guess it's the transformer which is the issue.

 

[Lectrician]

Many electronic transformers are also not dimmable - all though these days, most are.