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If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.
Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.
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Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.
To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.
The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.
If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.
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Is there a dimmable CFL bulb that can be used with an electronic dimmer?
Compact fluorescent bulbs used to be all or nothing. They couldn't be dimmed. Most cfl lamps (bulbs) are this kind. However, special cfl bulbs are now being marketed, at a higher price, that can be dimmed by a normal dimmer switch previously used for incandescent bulbs. However, not all dimmer switches work with these newer dimmable cfl lamps.
Can an incondescent lamp dimmer be used to control a fluorescent lamp load?
No, it can't
Can xenon lamps be used with a dimmer switch?
120 volt xenon bulbs are fully dimmable just like a regular incandescent bulbs, using regular old 120 volt dimmer switches.
Which dimmer switch to use with LED down lighters?
Look on the carton that the dimmer comes in. On the label there will be a list of lamp types that the dimmer can be used on along with the maximum wattage that the dimmer can control.
Why does a dimmable eco bulb not dim when controlled from a dimmer switch?
A dimmable eco bulb may not dim when controlled from a dimmer switch because it is not compatible with the type of dimmer switch being used. Some dimmer switches require specific types of bulbs or have specific voltage requirements that may not be met by the bulb. It is important to ensure that the dimmer switch and bulb are compatible for proper dimming functionality.
Is there a dimmable CFL bulb that can be used with an electronic dimmer?
Compact fluorescent bulbs used to be all or nothing. They couldn't be dimmed. Most cfl lamps (bulbs) are this kind. However, special cfl bulbs are now being marketed, at a higher price, that can be dimmed by a normal dimmer switch previously used for incandescent bulbs. However, not all dimmer switches work with these newer dimmable cfl lamps.
Why can't you dim fluorescent light bulbs?
Some fluorescent lamps (bulbs) can be dimmed, but they must be designed to be dimmable. The ballasts and electronics that drive the bulb have to be designed to work with a dimmer or they will not function properly and may overheat. When dimming fluorescent bulbs, many can't be faded smoothly from full to zero. Some will only go to a minimum like 5-20%. A dimmable compact fluorescent lamp will be labelled as being dimmble and can be connected to an ordinary dimmer. For tubes, the ballast has to be specailly designed to be dimmable.
Can an incondescent lamp dimmer be used to control a fluorescent lamp load?
No, it can't
Can xenon lamps be used with a dimmer switch?
120 volt xenon bulbs are fully dimmable just like a regular incandescent bulbs, using regular old 120 volt dimmer switches.
Why did your halogen lamp stop working when plugged into a dimmer switch on a cord?
It was not designed to be used with a dimmer switch. You must have a halogen designed for use with a dimmer or it will not work.
Which dimmer switch to use with LED down lighters?
Look on the carton that the dimmer comes in. On the label there will be a list of lamp types that the dimmer can be used on along with the maximum wattage that the dimmer can control.
Why does a dimmable eco bulb not dim when controlled from a dimmer switch?
A dimmable eco bulb may not dim when controlled from a dimmer switch because it is not compatible with the type of dimmer switch being used. Some dimmer switches require specific types of bulbs or have specific voltage requirements that may not be met by the bulb. It is important to ensure that the dimmer switch and bulb are compatible for proper dimming functionality.
Can you use a dimmer switch with A19 incandescent bulbs?
Be it a tungsten or LED A19 bulb, both are usable with a dimmer switch. However LED bulbs require special dimmers to work correctly. Normal dimmers, those used for regular tungsten (incandescent) bulbs, use the resistive load of the bulb to allow dimming. Most LED bulbs require other methods to dim the bulb. One stop gap fix to use a regular dimmer is to add a small wattage bulb to the LED bulb circuit. That adds a resistive load to fool the older dimmer. The best option for dimmable LEDs is to ensure you have a dimmer that specifically states it works with dimmable LEDs.
Can Spider Lights be Dimmed?
Whether a spider light fixture can be dimmed depends on the specific design and the type of bulbs it uses. Here are the key factors to consider: Dimmable Bulbs: Spider lights that use dimmable bulbs can generally be dimmed. Check the product specifications or packaging to see if the bulbs are compatible with dimmer switches. Dimmer Switch Compatibility: Even if the bulbs are dimmable, the spider light fixture must be compatible with dimmer switches. Some fixtures may come with built-in dimming capabilities, while others may require the use of an external dimmer switch. Built-in Dimmer Functionality: Some spider light fixtures come with built-in dimming functionality. In such cases, you can usually control the brightness directly using a switch or a remote control that comes with the fixture. Dimmer Switch Installation: If your spider light is not dimmable by default, you can still install a dimmer switch on the wall. However, this depends on the type of bulbs used in the fixture. Not all types of bulbs are compatible with dimmer switches, so make sure to use dimmable bulbs. LED Compatibility: If your spider light uses LED bulbs, it's essential to use dimmable LED bulbs and ensure that the dimmer switch is compatible with LED lighting. Not all LED bulbs work well with all dimmer switches, so it's important to check for compatibility. Before attempting to dim a spider light or any other lighting fixture, it's crucial to read the product documentation, including the specifications for both the fixture and the bulbs. If you're unsure about compatibility or installation, it's advisable to consult with the manufacturer or a qualified electrician. Always follow safety guidelines and ensure that any electrical work is performed in accordance with local building codes. If your spider light is part of a larger lighting system or if you have specific product details, you may want to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for accurate information regarding dimming capabilities.
What happens to a series circuit if a longer wire is used?
Resistance is increased so the light will be dimmer.
Does using a dimmer switch reduce electricity usage?
All a solid-state dimmer does is fire a triac at the correct point in the phase to control the power output. It does not dissipate the excess power like a variable resistor. The triac has about 3/4 of a volt drop across it. With a 120W light bulb this means that the dimmer will dissipate 3/4 of a watt at maximum power, which is negligible. So the dimmer will save energy in the long-run.The dimmer circuit is actually a power regulator, albiet a choppy one. The lower the setting, the less time the lamp is turned on during each cycle. Thus, the overall power consumption is decreased.How do I know this? I've built light dimmers. Ask me about the ramp voltage.The truth is logical. Less light less energy!Not as much as switching to compact fluorescent bulbs.Do not use a dimmer on CFLs, as it can damage both the bulb and the dimmer.Another option is to switch to an LED lighting which is a solid state lighting. The advantage of this is that you save as much energy as using a CFL while still retaining the capability to dim the bulb thus giving you increased energy savings. ===============The answers above are not completely accurate. Dimming a light DOES cause it to use less electricity. There are many dimming technologies. Some do "chop" the wave using triacs or SCRs. Others produce a normal sine wave output at lower amplitude, although these are used more often in theatrical and commercial dimming systems.It is possible to dim a CFL lamp without damaging the lamp or the dimmer. The CFL lamps must be designed to be dimmable (many are now, check the specs). Similarly, not all LED lamps are dimmable--check the specs (most are dimmable but depends on the electronics).
How is resistance used in dimmer switches for room lights?
The normal type of dimmer uses a variable pulse-width concept which means the voltage is applied for a fraction of each cycle. This does not waste power, while using resistive dimmers would be wasteful.
