What type of dimmer switch do I need?

[everton10335]

I have down lighters in all my rooms and I want to install dimmer switches. I know I need to allow 50w per downlighter so 8 down lighters = 400w. I also know I need to add some extra so not working at full load. I just want plastic white switches. What type of switch do I need as 2 on Internet, mains dimmer or varilight dimmer!!!

 

[EFLImpudence]

I have down lighters in all my rooms and I want to install dimmer switches. I know I need to allow 50w per downlighter so 8 down lighters = 400w.

You need one suitable for the wattage.

I also know I need to add some extra so not working at full load.

Preferably.

I just want plastic white switches. What type of switch do I need as 2 on Internet, mains dimmer or varilight dimmer!!!

Don't understand -
Mains is what people call 240V; Varilight is a brand.

 

[everton10335]

Ok thanks for that, just keeps saying on Internet vari are better for job etc but if its just a brand I know now I just need the cheaper non-branded version.

Thanks for your advice

 

[ericmark]

The quartz halogen bulb 50 mm comes both as 12v and 230v in both cases although they can be dimmed this shortens there life they are not designed to be dimmed they are designed to have a very hot quartz envelope.

The 12v transformer can be dimmed but it will have an inrush so dimmer has to be much larger. The 12v inverter more common has to be matched leading or lagging and some can't be dimmed. Because the inverter has a minimum as well as maximum you need to ensure it will not drop below the minimum when dimmed.

I do not understand why one would dim a spot light? Spot lights light up pictures etc. If you wanted a dimmer room since they would not be the main lights as useless as main lights you would just turn them off.

 

[Iggifer]

I do not understand why one would dim a spot light? Spot lights light up pictures etc. If you wanted a dimmer room since they would not be the main lights as useless as main lights you would just turn them off.

I disagree they are useless as the main lighting for a room. My bathroom is lit beautifully by 16w of down lights but I do agree the OP needs to check out if he has transformers or not

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I have down lighters in all my rooms and I want to install dimmer switches.

Better, far far better, would be to get rid of the downlighters.

Are you aware that if you dim halogen bulbs you shorten their lives?

And that they still use almost as much electricity, so you don't save a lot of money, if that was what you were hoping.

Ok thanks for that, just keeps saying on Internet vari are better for job etc but if its just a brand I know now I just need the cheaper non-branded version.

Not necessarily.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I disagree they are useless as the main lighting for a room. My bathroom is lit beautifully by 16w of down lights

So how many lights is that, in what size of room?

 

[ericmark]

OK yes mothers kitchen has a single lamp 22W which is nearly the same as a down lighter but not concentrated into a beam of light through a 50 mm glass.

The 2D down lighters do work well and are used in many buildings for general lighting but big difference between 12 inches and 2 inches and I have used maybe the wrong words nothing wrong with down lighters and nothing wrong with spot lights but a spot light is what the word says a spot of light and to bounce of walls to give general light requires white walls and if aimed at floor then also white floor. Now I find a problem with white carpets.

 

[Iggifer]

I disagree they are useless as the main lighting for a room. My bathroom is lit beautifully by 16w of down lights

So how many lights is that, in what size of room?

4 downlights, 3m x 3m

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Why would you need 4 lights in a room that size if they were actually any good at lighting up rooms?

 

[Iggifer]

i would like to see a 16w compact fluorescent light the room