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What is a non-dimmable light?

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We bought two lights from B&Q that use G9 bulbs:

http://www.diy.com/departments/mantus-chrome-effect-5-lamp-ceiling-light/1702673_BQ.prd?icamp=recs&rrec=true

We then put 5 9W bulbs in each, which gave us an incredibly bright room.

Our solution was to fit a dimmer:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0089V5FUM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

To my untrained eye this seemed to be the correct match for us and the W load was within range.

However when we fitted the switch, the metal plate got so hot that it was impossible to touch. Also the "on/off" switch did not work consistently.

My first instinct is a broken switch, but we then noticed on the light itself it says non-dimmable; the bulbs however are.

I had no idea there was such a thing as a non-dimmable light, instead thinking it just distributed the power sent to it by the switch.

So before I spend more money on another switch, is it possible that a light fitting can be "non-dimmable"?
The above facts belong to everybody; the opinions belong to me; the distinction is yours to draw...

Comments

  • Yes, to have dimmable light, both the light bulbs, switch and light fitting all need to be dimmable.
  • Grenage
    Grenage Posts: 3,203 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    LED bulbs won't be dimmable unless explicitly stated; just swap them for dimmable models. The light fitting is unlikely to contain more than a connector block to split the power, so that shouldn't be an issue.
  • EssexExile
    EssexExile Posts: 6,465 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    That dimmer you link to is for LEDs only but I think you have halogen bulbs.
    Tall, dark & handsome. Well two out of three ain't bad.
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