Installing Light Fitting

[ban-all-sheds]

Does anybody make domestic sine wave dimmers, i.e. standard accessory size, no N required, etc?

Had a quick look, but could only find ones for theatrical use.

Did find this, as well, - an interesting take on what conventional thyristor dimmers do. I wonder where the guy who wrote it thinks the 50% "thrown away" ends up...

To achieving dimming effect, SCR dimmers reduce the average
power by switching AC output in half cycle. Therefore, only parts of the current are used by
dimming system.
Today, we have to consider more about our society and the global environment. When the
electricity supply was 100%, if only 50% of the electricity was accessed, and the rest 50%
which was not accessed will not be saved but wasted like throwing to the garbage.

 

[spiidey]

Have had a look at both the transformer on the Next light fitting, and I cannot see the word "eaglerise" anywhere (see pic below). I've even taken the transformer fully out the casing and there's no mention of the rogue word.

I've double checked the light fitting instructions from Next (see pics below) and this states that the product should only be used with a next compatible dimmer switch. Is this correct, or just Next trying to get us to purchase the dimmer switch from them rather than elsewhere?

I've separately checked the instructions for the dimmer switch we purchased form B&Q (see pics below) and that states that the dimmer switch should only be used with wire wound laminated transformers and 'leading edge' dimmable electronic transformers. It states that is should not be used with 'trailing edge', 'lagging edge', or 'phase lagging' transformers.

How do I tell if the transformer on the Next fitting is one of these?

And how on earth do we go from here?

Next Transformer

LINK TO ORIGINAL SIZED IMAGE:- http://i62.tinypic.com/2q1a2xx.jpg


Next Light Fittings Installation Instructions

LINK TO ORIGINAL SIZED IMAGE:- http://i59.tinypic.com/veb11e.jpg

LINK TO ORIGINAL SIZED IMAGE:- http://i58.tinypic.com/2w49o1y.jpg


B&Q Dimmer Switch Installation Instructions

LINK TO ORIGINAL SIZED IMAGE:- http://i58.tinypic.com/25tyskz.jpg

 

[333rocky333]

We do pub work, we rip out the tran and fit an osram HALOTRONIC 105va mouse
If it dont fit in the housing, then if poss tuck it in the ceiling via a hole covered by the housing.
They are compatible with virtually any dimmer

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/...ytff1-yff32&va=osram+mouse+transformer+images

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/osram-halotronic-electronic-transformer.html

 

[securespark]

Secure has got his (Osram) hat on..hip hip hip hooray!!.........

Halotronics are the bog's dollocks.

 

[deadshort]

I think the best thing to do here is to use a little bit of common sense, it is obvious the fitting is not suitable and adjusting as required would look bad and without chain the flex would be under too much stress and be dangerous, even with reduced in length chain, likely the fitting would not hang very well.
So take it back and purchase something that is suitable.

Best and most honest answer, i would agree with PB.

Next! sorry……


DS

 

[securespark]

BTW, I have never heard of that obscure Chinese transformer.

Worse than Eaglerise??

Does that cpc go to the transformer? That is labelled Class II??

 

[spiidey]

We do pub work, we rip out the tran and fit an osram HALOTRONIC 105va mouse
If it dont fit in the housing, then if poss tuck it in the ceiling via a hole covered by the housing.
They are compatible with virtually any dimmer

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/...ytff1-yff32&va=osram+mouse+transformer+images

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/osram-halotronic-electronic-transformer.html[/QUOTE]

So basically the problem is the transformer in the light fitting?

If so, we'll go ahead ahead and replace with the Halotronuc. Any other type we could use if this one doesn't fit? And the Halotronic is definitely compatible with the B&Q dimmer switch (ie it's not a trailing edge, lagging edge or phase lagging transformer)?

Today when we put the light on, the halogen bulbs flickered for about 5 seconds. They then stopped flickering, but about half an hour later we turned the brightness up and then they flickered again. Finally, whilst we were on the couch watching TV, there was a noticeable buzzing that appeared to be sort of running down the wall that the switch is on. We left the light on for a bit, and the buzzing happened again about 15 mins later, but since then (the light has been on for a further hour), there's been no more buzzing. What is this likely to be and how much of a concern is it that e.g. We could get electrocuted from touching the dimmer control switch on the wall?

 

[spiidey]

We do pub work, we rip out the tran and fit an osram HALOTRONIC 105va mouse
If it dont fit in the housing, then if poss tuck it in the ceiling via a hole covered by the housing.
They are compatible with virtually any dimmer

https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/...ytff1-yff32&va=osram+mouse+transformer+images

http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/osram-halotronic-electronic-transformer.html[/QUOTE]

I reckon this would be a tight fit in the existing light fitting housing - is there a smaller product in diameter, or it possible to tuck it into the ceiling and encase in a plasterboard box / downlight cap (similar to the product linked below)?

http://www.edwardes.co.uk/en/produc...ource=google&utm_campaign=google_shopping&p=1

 

[spiidey]

Is this transformer compatible with our light fitting and dimmer switch?

http://www.arrowelectricals.co.uk/l...a-round-dimmable-electronic-transformer-p2487

 

[spiidey]

Is this transformer compatible with our light fitting and dimmer switch?

http://www.arrowelectricals.co.uk/l...dimmable-electronic-transformer-p2487[/QUOTE]

Anyone able to help with this?

The Aurora Transformer States that:-

"- Fully dimmable with resistive & inductive dimmers".

Does this refer to the light switch or the actual light fitting itself? And are our B&Q dimmer switch/Next Light Fitting compatible with this transformer?

The Aurora Transgormer also states that:-

"SIZE & WATTAGES
Surge Protection: 1.0KV
Input Voltage: 220-240V 50-60Hz
Output Voltage: 11.4v
Wattage: 35-105w
Product Code: AU-RD105
Min Dimming Load 35w"

Again, are these all compatible with our B&Q dimmer switch / Next Light Fitting?

Finally, the B&Q dimmer switch states that it is compatible with wire wound laminated transformers and leading edge dimmable electronic transformers, but not trailing edge, lagging edge or phase lagging transformers. What type of transformer is the Aurora Transformer that I've linked in post above?

 

[spiidey]

The transformer on the light fitting has now been swapped for an Aurora transformer.

However, on our dimmer switch (the B&Q one), we're getting a buzzing sound from the back of the dimmer switch.

It happened twice last week and it sounded like the buzzing was running up and down the wall, directly above where the dimmer switch has been installed. The buzzing was like electricity crackling, and definitely not the high pitched 1,000 Hz whine the transformer was previously making.

We didn't use the switch / light fitting after that.

Our electrician was back out yesterday and swapped the B&Q dimmer switch for another B&Q dimmer switch.

We thought everything was fine, but a few minutes ago we heard the crackling/buzzing sound again. I'd just at that point turned down the dimmer from max setting to approx 30%. The buzzing/crackling sound wasn't as bad as last week and seemed to be coming from directly behind the dimmer switch, and not running up and down the wall like last week.

What on earth (excuse the pun) is this and how worrying/dangerous is it?

 

[spiidey]

Anyone able to help with this?

 

[bernardgreen]

The buzzing noise is caused by bits of wire or other metal vibrating due to the alternating magnetic field created by the alternating current in the components of the dimmer. Not a safety hazard.

That said depending on what is actually vibrating the life span of the dimmer may be ended when the vibrating bit finally breaks or abrades some essential insulation leading to a short circuit that destroys the dimmer.

Ironically the must common vibrating bit is the winding on the coil or the core of the inductor designed to filter out electrical noise.

 

[spiidey]

The buzzing noise is caused by bits of wire or other metal vibrating due to the alternating magnetic field created by the alternating current in the components of the dimmer. Not a safety hazard.

That said depending on what is actually vibrating the life span of the dimmer may be ended when the vibrating bit finally breaks or abrades some essential insulation leading to a short circuit that destroys the dimmer.

Ironically the must common vibrating bit is the winding on the coil or the core of the inductor designed to filter out electrical noise.

Thanks. So can this be fixed to stop the vibrating?

 

[bernardgreen]

The coil and general wires etc. can be treated by dipping in conformal coating. Other components may overheat if coated.