spotlights operated by dimmer switch going cazy

Lexie_M

I have spotlights in the living room operated by a dimmer switch and they stopped working a while back so the electrician replaced the switch but now the switch is making a humming noise whenever it's on plus when the lights are dimmed they start doing crazy poltergeist things like starting flashing after about 10 minutes or suddenly go from dimmed to full power without anyone doing anything. Does anyone know what the problem might be? Faulty dimmer switch or are dimmer switches just a pain in general?

Avoriaz

What type of spotlights are they and are they dimable?

What is the maximum wattage?

What is the rating of the dimmer switch and is it more than the above?

Get the electrician back to replace the switch.

Dimmer switches can hum, some more than others, but they should not cause the flashing etc that you are experiencing.

Lexie_M

Avoriaz wrote: »

What type of spotlights are they and are they dimable?

What is the maximum wattage?

What is the rating of the dimmer switch and is it more than the above?

Get the electrician back to replace the switch.

Dimmer switches can hum, some more than others, but they should not cause the flashing etc that you are experiencing.

I wish I could answer these questions but I have no idea where to look. All I can tell you is that it's a new build property. I guess they wouldn't have put in a dimmer switch is the lights were not dimmable...or would they?..hmmm

Myser

You need to use the correct type of dimmer switch with the lighting you have i.e. halogen, LED etc.

Also, if the spotlights are transformer powered and cheap transformers were used, this can also cause flickering.

macman

Lexie_M wrote: »

I wish I could answer these questions but I have no idea where to look. All I can tell you is that it's a new build property. I guess they wouldn't have put in a dimmer switch is the lights were not dimmable...or would they?..hmmm

Start by looking on the bulbs or their packaging.

Avoriaz

Lexie_M wrote: »

I wish I could answer these questions but I have no idea where to look. All I can tell you is that it's a new build property. I guess they wouldn't have put in a dimmer switch is the lights were not dimmable...or would they?..hmmm

If you can, post some pictures of the bulbs and fittings.

To check the rating of the dimmer switch you need to carefully remove it from the wall and read the label that should be attached to the dimmer unit or units inside.

But don't do that unless you have first isolated the mains power at the consumer unit and you are 100% confident that you know what you are doing. I mean no offence but you probably don't.

As I posted earlier, get the electrician back. He may have supplied and fitted the wrong dimmer switch or may have made some mistake. He is responsible for sorting that out for you free of charge.