Dimmer function stopped working

[Mrs.J]

I've got a five halogen bulb light on a dimmer switch which has worked fine for over a year now. One of the bulbs blew the other day when I turned it on so I replaced it with a new GU10 bulb (as recommended in the instructions that came with the light). The light turns on and off ok but the dimmer function has stopped working.

Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Adam_151]

The overcurrent taken by the lamp as it failed has damaged the semiconductors in the dimmer switch- replace the dimmer switch

 

[Taylortwocities]

Its very likely the dimmer got scrogged (thats a technical term) when the lamp blew.

Cheap dimmers tend to have this useful function. If you are going to replace it suggest you get an intelligent dimmer like the iQ range.

Costs more but wont blow up so often.

 

[johnnykc]

In order to give your dimmer a fighting chance......make sure that you use 'branded' GU10 lamps (philips,sylvania etc) which utilise a fuseable link in one of the pins ,thus taking the sting out when your GU10 blows.

If you are tempted by one of the million cheap GU10s on offer (far eastern) then when it blows it could well damage the dimmer (cheap or otherwise)


The Varilight iQ range is an excellent dimmer.

 

[Mrs.J]

Thanks for all the suggestions people.