Dimmer Switches

M2808

My partner has a slight obsession with dimmer switches and I'm worried that if I don't put a dimmer switch on, he will put another Alexa bulb in the bedroom, and that drives me up the wall.
We once had dimmer switches in the living room when I was little but the buzzing used to annoy me - do they all buzz or was something wrong?

Also, do I need to be careful which light fitting I use? Or can I just get the dimmer switch fitted and it work?
I know if I get LED bulbs they need to state that they are dimmable.

Grenage

They shouldn't buzz; I have heard one that did, a long time ago. With LED bulbs you'll also need an LED dimmer - Varilight are a good brand.

MisterP123

They can buzz horrendously if undersized! Make sure you choose the correct dimmer and you should be fine.

vic_sf49

I've just fitted a varilight.... no buzzing. Good range of light/dimming.

Risteard

Actually it's perfectly normal for a buzzing sound to emanate from a dimmer switch (in spite of what others have advised you) - even one which is without defect and sized correctly.

M2808

I've ordered one now so will have to see. Hopefully it doesn't annoy me too much

MisterP123

I've got a 3 gang trailing edge dimmer in my lounge. Just put all 3 on and dimmed as far as they go. Not a sound.

Heedtheadvice

Risteard, I would challenge your buzz statement. Your posts are usually excellent but I take issue with this one!! :eek:



The only times that a dimmer should buzz is under fault conditions, loose connections/components or very poor design.


In my experience there are lots of dimmers that do not buzz and some lamps that do.


To support your statement could you please explain why you think it normal for a dimmer (phase controlled switching) at low power (domestic lighting loads) should buzz. Many a switched mode power supply operates on the same principle and can be at similar load levels but generally do not buzz?


Lots of other electronic equipment is well designed, works at similar or wider frequency spectra and both lower and higher powers without problems. Many listeners would be very upset if their audio systems buzz - and yes a few do but it is not normal. Why should a buzzing dimmer be normal?

Risteard

Common where a triac chops the AC waveform.

Heedtheadvice

....uncommon when properly designed and built.......:)

Risteard

Heedtheadvice wrote: »

....uncommon when properly designed and built.......:)

Not really. In fact it's essentially universal so it largely depends how audible/perceptible the buzzing noise is.