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What is a non-dimmable light?
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Cardinal-Red
Posts: 664 Forumite


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"?
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...
0
Comments
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Yes, to have dimmable light, both the light bulbs, switch and light fitting all need to be dimmable.0
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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.0
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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.0
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