Dimmers w/halogen bulbs

Posted by David Nebenzahl on December 8, 2006, 12:35 pm

Client wants to install some low-voltage halogens with a dimmer. Is this
OK? I know the dimmer will work, since the lamps are a resistive load,
but I'm not sure the halogens want to work on reduced voltage. Anyone
know for sure?

--
Just as McDonald's is where you go when you're hungry but don't really
care about the quality of your food, Wikipedia is where you go when
you're curious but don't really care about the quality of your knowledge.

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Posted by David Nebenzahl on December 8, 2006, 1:12 pm

David Nebenzahl spake thus:

> Client wants to install some low-voltage halogens with a dimmer. Is
> this OK? I know the dimmer will work, since the lamps are a resistive
> load [...]

Doh! What was I thinking? *Not* a resistive load (transformer,
remember?) Never mind.

(Although I have successfully used ordinary dimmers with transformers
for some of my own projects, like a homebrew resistance soldering unit,
I'd never install one in anyone else's house.)

--
Just as McDonald's is where you go when you're hungry but don't really
care about the quality of your food, Wikipedia is where you go when
you're curious but don't really care about the quality of your knowledge.

- Matthew White's WikiWatch (http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/wikiwoo.htm)

Posted by Joseph Meehan on December 8, 2006, 1:20 pm

David Nebenzahl wrote:

> David Nebenzahl spake thus:

>> Client wants to install some low-voltage halogens with a dimmer. Is
>> this OK? I know the dimmer will work, since the lamps are a resistive
>> load [...]

> Doh! What was I thinking? *Not* a resistive load (transformer,
> remember?) Never mind.
> (Although I have successfully used ordinary dimmers with transformers
> for some of my own projects, like a homebrew resistance soldering
> unit, I'd never install one in anyone else's house.)

You can dim low-voltage halogens, but I am not sure the standard over
the counter dimmer would be the best best, it will depend on your power
supply. However I suggest you consider the effect on a "halogen" lamp when
it is dimmed. After all they are designed to last longer using the halogen
cycle and that requires high heat. At any dimmed setting, the lamps are
likely not to go into a halogen cycle so the life expectancy may be cut
short.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia 's Muire duit

Posted by John Grabowski on December 8, 2006, 3:54 pm

> Client wants to install some low-voltage halogens with a dimmer. Is this
> OK? I know the dimmer will work, since the lamps are a resistive load,
> but I'm not sure the halogens want to work on reduced voltage. Anyone
> know for sure?

I have had many customers who chose low voltage lights become unhappy when
they decide to install dimmers. There is always a noise problem. Even with
a dimmer that is rated for magnetic or electronic power supplies there is
still some noise present depending on the light level. If they want to dim
the lights, don't use low voltage or install multiple switches to shut off
different areas to give a reduced light look.

Posted by RBM on December 8, 2006, 4:36 pm

I agree, if you want to dim them be sure to at least use electronic or
magnetic low voltage dimmers

>> Client wants to install some low-voltage halogens with a dimmer. Is this
>> OK? I know the dimmer will work, since the lamps are a resistive load,
>> but I'm not sure the halogens want to work on reduced voltage. Anyone
>> know for sure?

> I have had many customers who chose low voltage lights become unhappy when
> they decide to install dimmers. There is always a noise problem. Even
> with
> a dimmer that is rated for magnetic or electronic power supplies there is
> still some noise present depending on the light level. If they want to
> dim
> the lights, don't use low voltage or install multiple switches to shut off
> different areas to give a reduced light look.
>

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