Dimmer Switch Problem

[Simon_G]

After having a rewire of our house we're having a recurring problem with a dimmer switch in our living room. The rewire was carried out by a friend of mine who's a fully qualified electrician, but who has now emigrated to Australia - which leads me to post my problem and query here.

We've now tried three dimmer switches in the living room (all the same make), which was initially used with a dimmable energy saving bulb, and most recently, on the third switch with a traditional 60w bulb. We've had the same problem with each, which is when you switch the light on it's not dimmable - a slight turn of the switch dial and the light goes out.

Can anyone advise on where the problem may lay, or what the cause of this could be?

Thanks for any help - sorry if the details are a bit sketchy.

Cheers, Simon

 

[AP Electrical]

Has the dimmer ever worked?

 

[Simon_G]

Yeah, all three dimmer switches have worked for a period of time before ending up with the same problem. We questioned whether it was the dimmer switches themselves, but we have the same switch in the attic running six down-lighters that we've had no problems with.

 

[AP Electrical]

What load is on the switches?

 

[Simon_G]

I'm not sure what load is on the switches to be honest - would it be marked on the switch itself? If not, I'm sure we have a box kicking around that I could check.

 

[AP Electrical]

Sorry meant how many lights to the particular dimmer?

 

[ayjay]

if your only dimming one light simon the dimmer switch may be the incorrect range/type
check the instructions, they come in different wattage ranges
the one in your loft is ok dimming all those lamps, but if you were to remove all but one of the lamps it might well do the same

 

[Simon_G]

No worries. In the living room it's just a single pendant. In the attic we've got 6 down lighters with GU10 bulbs I think. Hope that's of some help.

 

[Simon_G]

Thanks for the reply ayjay. One thing I didn't mention, because I didn't want to put too many details in the original post to avoid confusion was that I'd spoken to my mate previously and he'd looked into the problem for me, and what he basically said was pretty much what you said ayjay - that the wattage range went down to 40w on these dimmers, and dropping below that would cause a problem. This is why we chose to use a traditional 60w bulb when we had the third dimmer switch fitted, rather than use the lower wattage energy saving dimmable bulb.

At my parents house I had a dimmer switch and traditional bulb which I never had problems with - I guess this would be down to a different, possibly lower wattage range?

Thanks for any further help or advice.

 

[AP Electrical]

I'm with ayjay on this one.

 

[Simon_G]

Thanks both for the replies - I'll check the wattage range when I'm home, later.

Would a 0 - 120 Watt Minimum Low Load Standard Dimmer Switch such as
HS7 - HS7 1 Gang 1 Way 0-120 Watt Minimum Low Load Standard Dimmer Switch Matt Chrome | V-Dim Rotary Dimmers | The Internet Switch Store
be suitable for use with a single bulb?

 

[telectrix]

one other possibility could be if it's fitted to a shallow back box. some dimmers come with a 1/4" spacer to allow for this.

 

[i=p/u]

could be 2way circuit and with two dimmers and when one is turned down the other acts the wack.. but im for60w minimum

 

[Simon_G]

Just following up on the post from yesterday, attached is the back of the dimmer switches that we've been using. It's marked 60-400w.

 

[Simon_G]

After looking online I've found this dimmer switch by the same manufacturer - Click Deco 1 Gang 2 Way 66W CFL Low Energy Dimmer [Deco1g2wcfldim_145CFL]

The recommended load is 11 - 66w on this switch. If I were to use a traditional 60w bulb with this would it solve my problem?

Thanks for any further help, or advice.