Light dims too quickly

[Fred Quimby]

Hi

I'm running a single light from a single 2-way dimmer switch - simple!

However, the light only seems to operate (dim) over 7 of the 17 'clicks' that the switch has at it's disposal. It's rated at 250w - would a 400w switch work differently? Should I stop worrying and be thankful I'm not on fire?

Can anyone offer me the benefit of their experience?

MOD

moved as posted in wrong forum

 

[securespark]

Try a different dimmer.

 

[Spark123]

A dimmer switch also has a minimum wattage which needs to be exceeded for it to work properly. You are not using energy saving lamps are you?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What's at the other end of the 2-way circuit?

 

[Fred Quimby]

Thanks foryour replies - all noted and filed under 'E' for extremely usefull.

It's just a 100w bulb - nothing special. so I am exceeding the minimum. Have any of you heard of such a thing? I would love to try the 400w if I thought it would make a difference but it would mean another £9. Yes, I'm a student.

It's not a vegetable shaped like a 'thingy' but perhaps I could sell it to a travelling show for them to display in their 'Frankenstien's Castle of Electrical Nightmares'? "Roll up! Roll up! Come and see the dimmer with seven vertibrae in this world but ten in another! Watch as light is sucked through a wormhole at more than twice the acceptable speed."

Back in this world though, dimmers should operate throughout their switches range, shouldn't they... unless they are faulty?

 

[real1314]

aren't the 250w ones rated as 60-250 watt dimmers? in which case won't you have 60 watts minimum; 100 watts max, therefore only a 40 watt range.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[securespark]

Come to think of it, the dimmer in my second kid's bedroom runs a few notches up until the bulb fires up, but on the way down, it is lit until the very last notch. Odd.

 

[Fred Quimby]

Thanks Real1314 - that's an interesting hypothesis; so would a 400w one give me a greater range and total control? Sounds like cod electrics to me - I think I'll give it a go. If anyone wishes to counter this before I spend the rest of my loan then sing now.

cheers

 

[Spark123]

aren't the 250w ones rated as 60-250 watt dimmers? in which case won't you have 60 watts minimum; 100 watts max, therefore only a 40 watt range.

No. The 60w is for the minimum amount of power flowing in series through the circuit board in the dimmer and the lamp for the circuit board to work properly. The 250w is the maximum that the circuit board can handle.

 

[Fred Quimby]

Thanks Spark. That would mean that it's the dimmer itself that's 'iffy'. Can't wait for next years loan. I wish I was doing electrical engineeing now!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You still haven't said what's at the other end of the 2-way switching circuit - hopefully a switch, not another dimmer.....

 

[Fred Quimby]

Sorry ban-all, I'm not sure what you mean. There was a switch, now a dimmer, and a light in the kitchen ceiling.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm running a single light from a single 2-way dimmer switch

If it's 2-way there must be 2 switches, one in each of 2 locations, or 1 switch and 1 dimmer. But my apologies - you did say it was a single dimmer, which didn't register until I quoted you here.

 

[securespark]

aren't the 250w ones rated as 60-250 watt dimmers? in which case won't you have 60 watts minimum; 100 watts max, therefore only a 40 watt range.

No. The 60w is for the minimum amount of power flowing in series through the circuit board in the dimmer and the lamp for the circuit board to work properly. The 250w is the maximum that the circuit board can handle.

I have deliberately tested dimmers to destruction. The worst that can happen with a under-loaded dimmer is that the light will flicker.

Overloaded, well, it depends by how much. A small overload will be tolerated, a larger one will result in a very peculiar smell...

Cue Ban and his picture of toasted spark once again!!