Dimmer switch

[FOBG45ER]

I am not an electrician but after some advice. I have just fitted a dimmer switch to a candelabra type light fitting with 4 candle bulbs. It is the third time I have used this same type of dimmer due to the last 2 blowing for some reason. However, now I have put this new one on the lights flicker everso slightly at different levels and don't even light up at the low end of scale. They don't flicker when turned up to full brightness. The lights worked fine with both the previous dimmers...until they blew of course.

Any ideas why this is happening and what can I do to cure this? It also happens to one other light that is connected to a dimmer in myhouse but I also have 3 others that work fine.

 

[bugsy]

check the load and compere it to the rating of the dimmer ( minimum value )

 

[FOBG45ER]

check the load and compere it to the rating of the dimmer ( minimum value )

Not sure what you mean but the fitting has 4 x 40w bulbs and I believe the range on the back of the dimmer said 40 min -240....does that make sense?

 

[Richard Burns]

Based on your fitting having incandescent lamps and not energy saving compact fluorescent or LED lamps the you should be OK with that dimmer. If the dimmer still keeps blowing then I would think you may have a fault somewhere in the lighting.

The flickering fault you describe does seem to indicate a dimmer running on a low load. But 160W of incandescent lighting should be OK.

 

[Fin170]

Bad connection or rubbish dimmer switches. 1 decent dimmer switch is better than 3 cheap ones bought from B&Q, homebase, tesco(?) etc.

 

[FOBG45ER]

Could you suggest what would constitute a decent dimmer switch?

 

[onfire25]

Could you suggest what would constitute a decent dimmer switch?

one from an electrical wholesalers......go for a crabtree make.

Yes, it will cost a bit more but you get what you pay for!

 

[Fin170]

Could you suggest what would constitute a decent dimmer switch?

MK is easily available (but over priced), Click, GET ultimate, Aurora. You're looking at about £15 for one from the wholesalers, they'll happily supply you a decent one.

Unless you got to CEF, they'll rob anybody and still give you junk

 

[axel132132]

Has no one suggested maybe the lamps are not dimmable? ?!

 

[FOBG45ER]

The lamps worked fine with previous versions of this dimmer switch in that they dimmed fully up and down without a flicker. Now I have added this latest switch (which I believe is Duralite?) the lights have begun to flicker. Sounds like investing in a better quality dimmer is the answer.

 

[onfire25]

The lamps worked fine with previous versions of this dimmer switch in that they dimmed fully up and down without a flicker. Now I have added this latest switch (which I believe is Duralite?) the lights have begun to flicker. Sounds like investing in a better quality dimmer is the answer.

Reasons why not to get a cheap electrical product inc dimmers!!!!

 

[onfire25]

If your not happy with the way the dimmer is working then personally i would just put a normal switch back on till you have a new quality dimmer or the lighting circuit checked. Just out of curiosity.....how are your smokes?

 

[FOBG45ER]

How does this one sound in your opinion:
[h=1]Click Deco 1 Gang 2 Way 400W/VA Dimmer Switch £16.27 Inc VAT
[/h]Not sure I follow....how are my smokes???? Sounds too cryptic for me.

 

[onfire25]

How does this one sound in your opinion:
Click Deco 1 Gang 2 Way 400W/VA Dimmer Switch £16.27 Inc VAT


Not sure I follow....how are my smokes???? Sounds too cryptic for me.

smoke alarms.......and in respect of the Click range.....yeah.....they are good products.

 

[bodgit & scarpe]

It is the third time I have used this same type of dimmer due to the last 2 blowing for some reason.

So it didn't occur to you to try a different type ?