Quality Dimmer switch

[hard-work]

I find it is difficult to get a quality dimmer switch these days. They burn out, buzz, etc after a while. What do you all recommend?
thanks.

 

[JohnD]

What sort of light "bulbs" have you got?

Using an incompatible dimmer is a recipe for failure.

 

[hard-work]

normal candle bulbs.

 

[Echo the husky]

I use the V-Pro range of varilight dimmers. Very good quality, silent and work with a good range of lamps. Soft start too which increases the life of the lamps and reduces the chance of a lamp popping at switch on and blowing the dimmer.

 

[hard-work]

Thanks I sourced a V-Pro.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/varilight-led-dimmer-switch-1g-1-2-way-400w-ice-white/4419f

It is good for LEDs so will buy LED's as well. 8 of these:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/philips-led-candle-lamp-clear-ses-6w/9270j?_requestid=434458
http://s7g3.scene7.com/is/image//ae235?src=ae235/9270J_P&$prodImageLarge$

 

[Echo the husky]

Good stuff, when you have fitted it all, don't forget to follow the dimmer instruction manual on how to set it up for the type of bulbs you have, minimum brightness etc.

 

[hard-work]

Fitted the 400w dimmer in, a simple and quick two wire job, and put in the new LED Philips candle bulbs. On the lowest dimmer setting the LEDs did a little flicker. I adjusted the minimum dimmer setting to a point where there was no flicker. Works fine with a nice smooth quality feel to the knob. From 320w the dimmer is now passing only 48W. The dimmer should last as its innards are now running much cooler.

The LED Philips candle bulbs are much better to look at than the old filament bulbs. A nice light from them. I am impressed as I thought they would be that horrible white light LEDs emit.

Thanks for the recommendation on the V-pro.

 

[Echo the husky]

Glad it was a success!

 

[ericmark]

In the main both CFL and LED lamps do not take out dimming switches, the problem with the tungsten bulb was ionisation of the atmosphere inside the bulb, as the bulb fails some times it would fail with a bright flash, the current drawn when this happened was huge, every bulb was supposed to have a fuse built in which would protect the switch, but in practice these did not protect the dimmer switches. So now no tungsten bulbs are used the dimmer should last for years.

 

[JohnD]

If I fit a V-Pro or similar, and somebody later fits a non-dimmable LED lamp, can it accommodate it, or will something untoward occur?

What is the significance of "Trailing or Leading Edge?"

Oops, just spotted it needs a 35mm backbox, so too much trouble to fit until I am next decorating. Is there a good slim one?

 

[securespark]

Getting any dimmer into a 16mm box is an ain in the parse.

 

[Echo the husky]

I fitted one in my parents house, the backbox was 16mm and it was ok, the box was set back about 2mm from the surface and there was only one cable though. I don't know what would happen if a non dimmable lamp was fitted.

 

[hard-work]

In the main both CFL and LED lamps do not take out dimming switches, the problem with the tungsten bulb was ionisation of the atmosphere inside the bulb, as the bulb fails some times it would fail with a bright flash, the current drawn when this happened was huge, every bulb was supposed to have a fuse built in which would protect the switch, but in practice these did not protect the dimmer switches. So now no tungsten bulbs are used the dimmer should last for years.

I notice GU10 bulbs when they fail sometimes throw the mcb at the Consumer Unit. So they must be drawing a shed load of amps and I assume they would pop a dimmer switch as well.

 

[ericmark]

I did not want to dig into brick in mothers house, so used surface boxes, but let them in plaster depth, it is a lot less work than hammering out brick, not ideal, but good enough.

As to dimming switches I have ripped out every one in my house, unless using one which uses a remote control, I just would never bother to get up to turn down the light. What every the dimmer was set to it stayed at that setting. So really no point. The only time I really used a dimmer was with small children so as not to wake them when popping in to check on them. My youngest is 28 and if I got caught checking in on her I would be in deep trouble.

Yes I use standard and table lamps, but every dimmer switch has gone in the bin.