Eco friendly lighting causing a buzzing noise from the dimmer switch in the wall?
J.Slope asked:
I have 50watt flood lights in my bathroom and when one of them went out I decided to try out eco friendly lighting – only after I replaced them I heard a buzzing coming from the dimmer switch when the lights were dimmed. It goes away when they’re all the way up.
I have 50watt flood lights in my bathroom and when one of them went out I decided to try out eco friendly lighting – only after I replaced them I heard a buzzing coming from the dimmer switch when the lights were dimmed. It goes away when they’re all the way up.
What’s the problem?
The bulbs are probably not compatible with the dimmer. Some bulbs just don’t work with dimmers, especially the new energy efficient ones. [who] Harvey
You cant really fit eco bulbs on dimmer switches. The resistance in the dimmer mechanism makes them have a ’strobe’ effect. This pulsing is what you can hear. Eventually it will knacker the bulbs and the switch.
When its on full rate it will be fine, or better, but i wouldnt.
The pulsing is what keeps it eco, rather than a steady stream.
I hear this loads from customers, take out the bulbs and you will be fine [who] Robert Generation
CFL’s don’t play well with dimmers, UNLESS they are labeled as dimmable.
the noise you hear is the circuity in the dimmer trying to do it’s job but is unable to due to the ballast inside the CFL’s.
(Compact Fluorescent Lighting) [who] EagleWatcher
You cant use a dimmer switch with any fluorescent light unless the dimmer is designated for them. [who] Rich
You CANNOT use these bulbs with a dimmer switch. Put the standard bulbs back in, or it will ruin the bulbs and the dimmer. [who] Fordguy87