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Remember that dimmers are for incandescent lights only unless you invest BIG BUCKS on dimmable fluorescent lights and fluorescent dimmers. Make sure that the switch that you replace with the dimmer does not control a plug-in outlet unless it is a lamp. You could do harm to an appliance not designed for such use.
Otherwise,just add up the wattage of all the bulbs on the dimmer and buy one of the next size rating. So if you have two 60 watt bulbs, two 75 watt bulbs-- that's 270 watts total.Find a dimmer rated for 300 watts or more.
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Can you use a fan control switch as a dimmer switch?
Probably not, since a volume control switch is designed for extremely low current measured in fractions of a watt, while a dimmer switch is typically capable of handling several hundred watts.
Is there a way to wire a 3 way household dimmer switch as a 2 way dimmer switch?
You need a three way switch to control lights from two locations. The name is misleading. Three way switch refers to the connection points on the switch. You can use a three way switch as a single switch as long as you place hot wire on the brass screw and the use any of the other screws for the return hot.
I am removing a dimmer switch to put in a regular switch but there are two incoming hot wires what do i do?
The regular switch just connects in the circuit the same way as the dimmer switch came out. If the dimmer switch had its own wires the only difference will be is you will have to supply your own wires from the new switch to the existing connection. IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicatorto insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
Can you use a sodium lamp in a mercury ballast?
No you can't. You can use a metal halide lamp of the exact wattage of the original mercury lamp. You cannot vary on wattage at all.
Can you use a dimmer on diode Christmas lights?
Yes, just splice a potentiometer (dimmer knob) in series and it should work just fine. In fact they are a lot more energy efficient at just a little below max output, and look just as bright.
Which dimmer switch to use with LED down lighters?
Look on the carton that the dimmer comes in. On the label there will be a list of lamp types that the dimmer can be used on along with the maximum wattage that the dimmer can control.
What if the wattage of the load is higher than the rating of the dimmer switch?
If the wattage load is higher that the rating of the dimmer switch then do not use the switch on that circuit. The manufacturer's components of the switch are only rated at a specific rating. Going higher than that rating will destroy the device and void any warranty that the switch might have. Always size the device to the load that you are wanting to control.
Can a single pole switch can be use as a dimmer?
No a switch just opens and closes a circuit. A switch can be replaced by a dimmer switch. The dimmer switch will fit in the same enclosure that the switch is removed from.
Why did your halogen lamp stop working when plugged into a dimmer switch on a cord?
It was not designed to be used with a dimmer switch. You must have a halogen designed for use with a dimmer or it will not work.
What wattage does a 3-way light switch use in a single switch outlet?
A switch does not use wattage, or consume power which is a better way of putting it. It depends on what appliance is being controlled by the switch.
Can you use a dimmer switch with tract lights?
Yes
Can you use an AC Dimmer Switch on a DC fan?
No
Can you use a dimmer switch with A19 incandescent bulbs?
Be it a tungsten or LED A19 bulb, both are usable with a dimmer switch. However LED bulbs require special dimmers to work correctly. Normal dimmers, those used for regular tungsten (incandescent) bulbs, use the resistive load of the bulb to allow dimming. Most LED bulbs require other methods to dim the bulb. One stop gap fix to use a regular dimmer is to add a small wattage bulb to the LED bulb circuit. That adds a resistive load to fool the older dimmer. The best option for dimmable LEDs is to ensure you have a dimmer that specifically states it works with dimmable LEDs.
Can energy save bulb be used with any dimmer?
Compact florescent do not dim. They are all or nothing. You can use them where you have a dimmer switch. They will come on from about half way to full on. Dimmer switches don't like them and the switch will burn out faster.
What is the type of lamp uses with dimmer switch?
You cannot use most fluorescent lights with a dimmer. Just about any incandescent bulb WILL work with a dimmer. Occasionally, when a halogen bulb burns out, it will destroy a dimmer switch but halogen bulbs are considered incandescent and other than that little problem they work well with a dimmer.
Can you put a dimmer switch on compact fluorescent light bulbs?
I have but if dimmer is on low the light fixture sometimes "hums", can be anoying It also shortens the bulb life, significantly in some cases. But their are also CFL bulbs built to be used with a dimmer switch that avoid these problems.Another AnswerYou should only use CFLs specifically-designed to be used with dimmers in circuits controlled by dimmer switches. There is a proven danger of fire hazard when ordinary CFLs are controlled by dimmer switches and, so, this should NEVER be done.
Can you use a 12 volt dimmer switch for a 240 volt ceiling rose?
No, the voltage rating of the switch is too low.
