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Will it damage a compact fluorescent bulb if one has a dimmer switch but keeps the dimmer set as high as possible?
Fluorescent bulbs can't be dimmed. It takes a certain amount of electricity to get them to come on. Probably about half way on the switch. As long as it has that much it should light. The switch however doesn't like it and will burn out quicker than with regular bulbs. The bulb doesn't care, it is either lit or not.
Thanks. I just went ahead and installed a standard light switch. Everything is working fine and energy efficient. ~ CheeseKing
What else can I help you with?
Can an incondescent lamp dimmer be used to control a fluorescent lamp load?
No, incandescent lamp dimmers are not compatible with fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps require special dimming ballasts to control their light output. Attempting to use an incandescent lamp dimmer with a fluorescent lamp can cause damage to the lamp and dimmer.
Why would a dimmer switch buzz with a compact fluorescent bulb?
Most compact fluorescent lamps won't work with conventional dimmers, or will damage the dimmer.Magnetic dimmers will work, however. AnswerActually, it depends on the design of the lamp. Different companies have different power supplies for the lamps. What works well on one can spell instant death for another. Get a dimmable lamp. The new LED lamps have the same problem. Some work fine with a dimmer, provided one incandescent lamp is left in the fixture. Others go crazy.
Can one replace a tungsten bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb?
Yes, if it fits the socket and the light fitting, or lamp fixture, with its cover or shade. You will not be able to dim the compact fluorescent as you did the incandescent (unless you have a really fancy dimmer).
What happens to a non dimmable lamp if used on a dimmer?
If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.
Is there a dimmable CFL bulb that can be used with an electronic dimmer?
Compact fluorescent bulbs used to be all or nothing. They couldn't be dimmed. Most cfl lamps (bulbs) are this kind. However, special cfl bulbs are now being marketed, at a higher price, that can be dimmed by a normal dimmer switch previously used for incandescent bulbs. However, not all dimmer switches work with these newer dimmable cfl lamps.
Can an incondescent lamp dimmer be used to control a fluorescent lamp load?
No, incandescent lamp dimmers are not compatible with fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps require special dimming ballasts to control their light output. Attempting to use an incandescent lamp dimmer with a fluorescent lamp can cause damage to the lamp and dimmer.
Why would a dimmer switch buzz with a compact fluorescent bulb?
Most compact fluorescent lamps won't work with conventional dimmers, or will damage the dimmer.Magnetic dimmers will work, however. AnswerActually, it depends on the design of the lamp. Different companies have different power supplies for the lamps. What works well on one can spell instant death for another. Get a dimmable lamp. The new LED lamps have the same problem. Some work fine with a dimmer, provided one incandescent lamp is left in the fixture. Others go crazy.
Can you dim compact fluorescent lamps?
Yes, compact fluorescent lamps can be dimmed. However it requires a dimming ballast which can be quite expensive and the amount of dimming is limited to about 20%. If you're thinking of using a dimmer you would be better off using an incandescent lamp.
Can one replace a tungsten bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb?
Yes, if it fits the socket and the light fitting, or lamp fixture, with its cover or shade. You will not be able to dim the compact fluorescent as you did the incandescent (unless you have a really fancy dimmer).
What happens to a non dimmable lamp if used on a dimmer?
If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.
Can old or weak fluorescent lights explode if they're not changed?
Old fluorescent light do not explode. It will go only dimmer and dimmer or sometimes flickering and flashing on/off when it is defective.
How can I adjust the brightness of a fluorescent light using a dimmer switch?
Fluorescent lights cannot be dimmed using a standard dimmer switch designed for incandescent bulbs. You would need a special dimmer switch compatible with fluorescent lights, such as a 0-10V dimmer or a dimmable ballast. These dimmers work by adjusting the voltage or current supplied to the fluorescent light, allowing you to control the brightness. It is important to consult a professional electrician to ensure proper installation and compatibility.
What type of dimmer switch should be used for a fluorescent under cabinet strip lighting?
It depends on the fixture. Some fluorescent bulbs won't work at all with a dimmer. The safest thing to do is to contact the fixture's manufacturer.
Why would a compact fluorescent bulb not work in a standard fixture that's not on a dimmer switch and in which an incandescent bulb does work?
If you have another CFB try it in the same position as the one that is not working. It sounds like the CF bulb is defective.
Which circuit can decrease the fluorescent brightness to the minimum amount?
You need to purchase a Fluorescent dimmer switch, no circuit can dim the brightness of the light safely.
Can you use fluorescent bulbs with a dimmer switch?
You can buy dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs at virtually any hardware store these days. Just make sure that the package says that they're dimmable. They're quite a bit more expensive than either standard incandescents or regular compact fluorescents, but they'll save you money over the standard incandescent bulbs in a pretty short time period as well as lasting 10-12 times longer. You certainly do not need to buy any expensive specialized dimmer switches to do this. incorrect, there IS a special dimmer for dimmable CFLs and LEDs. yes, you do need to make sure you get dimmable leds or cfls. but you DO need the right dimmer.
Is there a dimmable CFL bulb that can be used with an electronic dimmer?
Compact fluorescent bulbs used to be all or nothing. They couldn't be dimmed. Most cfl lamps (bulbs) are this kind. However, special cfl bulbs are now being marketed, at a higher price, that can be dimmed by a normal dimmer switch previously used for incandescent bulbs. However, not all dimmer switches work with these newer dimmable cfl lamps.
