Light fittings unsuitable for dimmer switches

[KZ7]

I have jsut purchased a light fitting for fixing to a ceiling and note that the instructions say that it is not suitable for use with a dimmer switch.The room I want to fit it to has a dimmer switch.What is the reason for this?Is it an absolute no no?

 

[Adam_151]

What type of light fitting is it?

 

[securespark]

Certain lamps and fittings can only be dimmed with specific transformers and other lamps and fittinngs cannot be dimmed at all.

I guess it is non-dimmable, otherwise the instructions would have said

ONLY DIMMABLE WITH A XXXXX TYPE DIMMER

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is it an absolute no no?

Yes - you could fry the light or the dimmer or both.

 

[KZ7]

The light was purchased from John Lewis and looks like this:

Untitled

• KZ7
• 19 Jun 2010
• 1

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[johnnykc]

that big heavy disc at the top is a non dimmable transformer....

good looking light though

 

[KZ7]

Lesson learned for next time I am in the Lighting Department.

 

[slup]

You could always change the transformer...

 

[ricicle]

You could always change the transformer...

And invalidate the guarantee..........

 

[SparkyNinja]

does it say on the box that it cant be dimmed? Or is that information only on the instructions?

 

[Steve]

When will they stop peddling these inefficient halogen monstocities to unsuspecting Joe Public?

 

[KZ7]

Nothing on the box only in the instructions.When I returned it yesterday I was told that it might be possible to change the transformer.As a rough rule of thumb will the dimmer swiitch mean that it is only more simple single bulb light fittings which willl be suitable for a dimmer switch?Just trying to work out a quick way of eliminating potential fittings based on a visual check...

 

[slup]

Not really - it just means that if the fitting has a transformer, then the transformer must be a dimmable one.

Also, you often get interactions between different manufacturers of dimmer and transformer. The only 100% guaranteed way of it working is to use a dimmer and transformer made by the same company.

If you liked the light fitting and it was what you were looking for, then as mentioned above, I'd change the transformer.