Dimmer to standard lighting question

[Chas72]

Hi

I've had a UK certified electrician round who has fitted a 4 switch light similar to this but with two regular switches and 2 dimmers on the right. All 4 are connected to regular 60/100watt bulbs. The dimmers have two issues I've not known before, they buzz loudly when fully turn on (the lights don't seem as bright when they were previously on regular switches) and when you first turn them on they take a second or so to fade up the light. The electrician claimed this was down to the bulbs and that the buzzing will be quieter once the back box in bonded in.

He also fitted a single dimmer upstairs that buzzes loudly when fully turn on.

Does this seem normal and he's probably just fitted the cheapest fittings he could get?



Thanks

Chas

 

[bernardgreen]

Is the fault there ( dimm and /or buzzing ) there if only one lamp is on ?

If the answer is yes then the dimmers are inter-acting with each other. Suggests they are minimum spec devices ( ie cheap )

The back box should be bonded ( earthed ) anyway from the moment the electrician fitted them.

 

[Chas72]

Thanks BG.

Is the slow fade up a 'feature' of some cheap dimmers too?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Actually no - "soft start" is a feature of many dimmers, including expensive ones. The idea is to prolong lamp life by reducing thermal shock.

 

[Chas72]

Cheers BAS.

 

[ELZ4742]

also, soft-start is so you dont have to double the dimmer to lamp wattage if your dimming halogen lights.