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Light dimmer switch; can failure just cause lack of bright lights?

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Light dimmer switch; can failure just cause lack of bright lights? Paul Soderman 11-06-2007
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Posted by Mark on November 7, 2007, 8:59 pm
Check a light that is not on a dimmer. If it looks less bright, it is
probably a power problem. If it isn't then it is probably a faulty dimmer
switch.
> Today I realized that our light dimmer switch, when set at the highest
> point, does not seem to get the lights as bright as they had
> previously been. I should point out that the power was also out a bit
> today in my area.
> I am suspecting that perhaps a power surge or else maybe just the age
> of the switch may have caused this problem to "come to light", but I
> had though that if the switch failed, the lights would simply be at
> their brightest and that the dimming mechanism would not work.
>
> I am going to replace the switch anyway, but wanted to check out if my
> suspicions were correct; can the dimmer fail so as to result in a mid-
> level brightness of the lights?
>
> Thanks for any help!
> Paul
>


Posted by terry on November 8, 2007, 1:13 am
> Today I realized that our light dimmer switch, when set at the highest
> point, does not seem to get the lights as bright as they had
> previously been. I should point out that the power was also out a bit
> today in my area.
> I am suspecting that perhaps a power surge or else maybe just the age
> of the switch may have caused this problem to "come to light", but I
> had though that if the switch failed, the lights would simply be at
> their brightest and that the dimming mechanism would not work.
>
> I am going to replace the switch anyway, but wanted to check out if my
> suspicions were correct; can the dimmer fail so as to result in a mid-
> level brightness of the lights?
>
> Thanks for any help!
> Paul

If in doubt take dimmer out and put in a regular 50-75 cent switch,
two connections.
If it's solid state dimmer it may be making radio noise
(RFInterference) and is probably more prone to voltage hits. Keep it
simple! Haven't used a dimmer in this house for last 37 years! So
never had to replace one, have maybe replaced couple of switches in
that time period.
Like everything else, with electrcity simplest is best.


Posted by Tony Hwang on November 8, 2007, 1:27 am
terry wrote:

>
>>Today I realized that our light dimmer switch, when set at the highest
>>point, does not seem to get the lights as bright as they had
>>previously been. I should point out that the power was also out a bit
>>today in my area.
>>I am suspecting that perhaps a power surge or else maybe just the age
>>of the switch may have caused this problem to "come to light", but I
>>had though that if the switch failed, the lights would simply be at
>>their brightest and that the dimming mechanism would not work.
>>
>>I am going to replace the switch anyway, but wanted to check out if my
>>suspicions were correct; can the dimmer fail so as to result in a mid-
>>level brightness of the lights?
>>
>>Thanks for any help!
>>Paul
>
>
> If in doubt take dimmer out and put in a regular 50-75 cent switch,
> two connections.
> If it's solid state dimmer it may be making radio noise
> (RFInterference) and is probably more prone to voltage hits. Keep it
> simple! Haven't used a dimmer in this house for last 37 years! So
> never had to replace one, have maybe replaced couple of switches in
> that time period.
> Like everything else, with electrcity simplest is best.
>
Hi,
No energy conservation?

Posted by larry on November 8, 2007, 9:58 am
terry wrote:

> If in doubt take dimmer out and put in a regular 50-75 cent switch,
> two connections.
> Keep it simple!

Use a three position switch hi-off-medium, use a 3-10Amp
rectifier diode (A15) between hi and medium terminal, line
to common terminal, lamp to hi terminal. Or add a switch
with diode in parallel, then wire switch(hi-medium) in
series with regular circuit. This used to be available as a
coin size "lamp saver" that you placed in a socket, under
the bulb. Perfect for porch & pole lights since the bulb
would last for years.

Large 20 amp diode (or one leg of bridge rectifier-1/4"
terminals) in series with low voltage lighting makes those
4/7 watt bulbs last longer than the fixture ;-)

-- larry / dallas

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