Energy-saving bulbs aren't compatible with dimmer switches - does anyone know why?

Mics_chick

I'd like to know coz I want to use more energy-saving light bulbs but I've got dimmer switches in 3 rooms which I don't want to change unless I really have to...

So is it unsafe? Or will it cause the bulb to blow straightaway? Or...???

Moneymaker

So-called "energy-saver bulbs" contain an electronic oscillator circuit which is incompatible with triac dimmers. A dimmer could damage an "energy-saver bulb". I don't know the precise effect because I'm not daft enough to try it. Please wear eye protection if you do and have a fire extinguisher handy.

robredz

Energy saver bulbs are compact fluorescent so are the same technology as a strip light, which also don't work with a dimmer.

savemoney

The low energy dimmer bulbs work because the have a circuitry inside that opens/closes each element so you can get 25% 50% 75% etc

Dont risk using low energy bulbs on dimmers, either buy suitable bulbs or charge the dimer switches

bookduck

the gas has to ionize to get the electric flowing and the light to shine. The gas has to stay Ionised long enough to conduct the next cycle of electricity.

Triacs (a) triger at a level set by the knob, so the gas will not ionize if it is too low (b) can have a shorter powered-on time duration cycle of the wave - read spike.

It is hard to say how the circuity will react to a dimmer, bet it will probably dim a bit then just not light up - I would not recommend you take my guess as gospel, or try it.

You can dim tube lights though, however you need a special dimmer and it works by altering the frequency of the voltage to the tube, or so I believe. Normal dimmers just turn down the voltage.

Moneymaker

Or even "change the dimmer switches"?

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

An energy saving bulb just flickers if you have it on a dimmer switch which is turned down.

They are available. Have a look here.

SmartRRRR

I am not sure from your post whether you want to dim the lamps or just save the bother of changing to switches; I'll assume you want to dim them, but have the energy saving as well?

I got a couple of CF lamps with a built-in dimmer from B&Q, on 'clearance' at about £3.85. They work by switching the light on (with a normal switch), waiting a few seconds (the first time only; there's a memory for the setting) and then off/on within a second; the light level then alters slowly down and up until switched off/on again. Sounds complicated but it really isn't.

Expensive, but useful - we have one in the hall so we can set it low and then increase it if we're cleaning or need extra light.

Once a light level has been set they stay at the same level in normal switching until the quick off/on cycle is repeated. They are about 11W I think - about the same as a 60W standard incandescent.

I haven't seen them anywhere else, I think they are GE brand but I can't be certain. I know B&Q sell Megaman (as in the post above) but I don't think it is one of them.

This doesn't answer your question but it does provide a solution, at a lower price than the dimmable option that Dave mentions, but as you really don't want to change your switches....

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

SmartRRRR wrote: »

at a lower price than the dimmable option that Dave mentions

£10 is a lot to pay for a dimmable GLS bulb. I just wonder if the extra price works out any cheaper in the long run than a 40p standard bulb over the average life of both types of bulb.

Anyone willing to do the maths?

peter999

Phantom_Flan_Flinger wrote: »

£10 is a lot to pay for a dimmable GLS bulb. I just wonder if the extra price works out any cheaper in the long run than a 40p standard bulb over the average life of both types of bulb.

Anyone willing to do the maths?

Incredible paying £10 through the nose for dimmable bulb, when old 10p bulbs were perfectly ok & have been with us for last 100+ years.

Progress or an excuse to make things more complicated & make money !!??

peter999

melb

we've got normal low energy bulbs in our landing. They make a buzzing sound if they're on less than high setting. We put up with this because they're on a double switch where the other one is the bathroom with spotlight bulbs where we do like the dimmer facility. I hope it's not risky.