Which wattage 2gang dimmer should I go for ?

[ajrobb]

I didn't know you had to apply for anything to change a few lights

If there is a flat above, you may have compromised a fire barrier ceiling with the holes for downlights. Speak to your Local Authority Building Control (LABC), they will advise what measures must be taken.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The area is 30ft by 16ft

And those lights provide an even spread, no bright patches and areas not well lit?

and the lighting is fine except in the evening I would prefer the lights in the living area to be a little more ambient.

Did you know that if you dim halogen lights you shorten their lives?

As for building regs I didn't know you had to apply for anything to change a few lights

Did you just change them? i.e. were there already 11 lights, or did you add some?

A kitchen/diner is a special location, and adding lights is notifiable - you were supposed to apply for Building Regulations approval before you started the work.

As well as Parts C, L & P (moisture, energy efficiency & electrical safety), because it's a flat the installation of the lights had to comply with Part B (fire), and possibly Part E (sound insulation).

If you've messed up those things then you may have put other people's lives and comfort at risk, and you may get complaints.

If the property is leasehold or has shared freehold arrangements you should read the small print - you might find that carrying out work which contravenes the Building Regulations has put you in breach of your agreement.

 

[ELZ4742]

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Lighting/240V+Halogen+Lamps/d220/sd3279

28 and 40's

well i never... anywho.. i would suggest a 2x400w dimmer. ill let the others debate building regs.

 

[joeberg]

The lights are in a suspended ceiling so not affecting the integrity of my bedroom. No I didn't know a dimmer can affect the life of the bulb. The spread is great but as I said in the evening I would like the living area a little dimmer . There was 2 pendants with 100 watt bulbs in each room so I have kept the wattage the same in the kitchen area and increased it by 40 in the living area but the spread is much better.

So all things being equal

I need a 2 gang 1 way 400 watt switch which is not available from Toolstation

Joe

 

[ELZ4742]

its not the life of the lamp but the life of the dimmer that is affected. try tlc-direct, they should have what you want.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It is the life of the lamp - they need to run at a high temperature to keep the halogen cycle going where tungsten which evaporates from the filament gets redeposited on it. Run it at too low a temperature (i.e. dimmed) and the tungsten does not get redeposited on the filament - it blackens the quartz and the filament wears out.

 

[martinxxxxxx]

Very interestin bas, I have been reading up a bit more since your post about the halogen cycle , and I think there is a perception that if a product is in the big store it is an inherrently safe product. But the likely hood of explosion of this type of lamp should be another factor to consider. People are well advised to take care not to handle the bulbs as this damages them unless they are thouorghly soaked in achohol and dried out again (the lamps not the people)

Martin

 

[ELZ4742]

It is the life of the lamp - they need to run at a high temperature to keep the halogen cycle going where tungsten which evaporates from the filament gets redeposited on it. Run it at too low a temperature (i.e. dimmed) and the tungsten does not get redeposited on the filament - it blackens the quartz and the filament wears out.

are you talking about dimming in general?
my point was about using a 400w over a 250w dimmer, unless ive missed something...again..

 

[martinxxxxxx]

You can have up to 6 forty watt lamps on the 250W dimmer. So that'll be alright then.

Martin.

BAS is making a general point about using shop display lamps to light a room and how expensive and energy wasting it is not to mention the price of bulbs this springtime.

edit btw you sure they're not 35 or 50W?