Dimmer Switch Buzzing
Discussion
Why do all my dimmers buzz when they're on anything other than full? It drives me mad! Can I do anything about it?
Also - when I was in the attic I could feel heat from the spots in the bedrooms through the insulation and the loft boards. Is this normal? Seems like a huge fire risk to me?
Any pointers appreciated.
Thanks
Also - when I was in the attic I could feel heat from the spots in the bedrooms through the insulation and the loft boards. Is this normal? Seems like a huge fire risk to me?
Any pointers appreciated.
Thanks
I think the buzzing is down to the resistance that's being put on the circuit - I would like dimmer switches but having had ones that buzz before, and them annoying me, I don't! I will await a reply from someone more knowledgeable than me if non buzzing are available!
Spots get hot also, don't think it's that risky.
Spots get hot also, don't think it's that risky.
Hiya,
Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
kinabalu said:
Hiya,
Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
This, the insulation being in contact with a light is a no-no.Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
Terracotta pots will do the trick or you can buy off the shelf solutions; google downlight fire hoods.
I'm sure those "cans" are against code if they are hot.
Don't you have two types in uk, one for lower floors and a more expensive double skin one for top floors. (that are suiyable for contact with insulation)
Humming from the switch is the equivalent of transformer hum, buy a better made switch.
Don't you have two types in uk, one for lower floors and a more expensive double skin one for top floors. (that are suiyable for contact with insulation)
Humming from the switch is the equivalent of transformer hum, buy a better made switch.
kinabalu said:
Hiya,
Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
I recently nearly had a fire on one triple dimmer switch. Why I am not sure, but in the case of this dimmer switch, I both replaced the switch, and lowered the wattage of the spot light bulbs, the latter I was not aware had a maximum wattage for each switch circuit. Re spots/heat/loft/insulation.
You are right to be concerned, there should be no insulation near the spots, it is a fire risk.
A sensible option enabling your insualtion to be even in coverage is to put upturned terracota plant pots over the spots, ensure they have a drainage hole though to let said heat out. Then you can spread your insualtion up to the pots.
If the downlighters are GU10 fitting try fitting LED bulbs. You can get 4W dimmable SMD ones for abot £9 each and the heat out put is very low (the SMD versions are brighter than a 35W bulb but not as bright as a 50W). This low heat out put means less danger when the insulation is piled on over them.
Oh and the dimmer switch maybe on it's way out if it has just started buzzing.
Thirdly, if you do change the bulbs and change the dimmer make sure you get a dimmer that can opperate at the low wattage you'll be showing it. 'Standard' dimmers usually need at least 40W of power through them to work properly.
Oh and the dimmer switch maybe on it's way out if it has just started buzzing.
Thirdly, if you do change the bulbs and change the dimmer make sure you get a dimmer that can opperate at the low wattage you'll be showing it. 'Standard' dimmers usually need at least 40W of power through them to work properly.
Edited by mk1fan on Tuesday 1st November 21:02
Cheaper dimmers will buzz as you say. I worked as a design draughtsman for MK Electric many years ago and was involved in the design of one that didn't buzz and it came out twice the prioe of competitors dimmers. But the main point was it DIDN'T buzz.
Can't see why they'd have changed the design over the years so my advice would be buy an MK one.
Can't see why they'd have changed the design over the years so my advice would be buy an MK one.
ColinM50 said:
Cheaper dimmers will buzz as you say. I worked as a design draughtsman for MK Electric many years ago and was involved in the design of one that didn't buzz and it came out twice the prioe of competitors dimmers. But the main point was it DIDN'T buzz.
Can't see why they'd have changed the design over the years so my advice would be buy an MK one.
Or buy varilight IQ range, unless you want to pay twice+ as much for MK to brand it their "intelligent" dimmer;)Can't see why they'd have changed the design over the years so my advice would be buy an MK one.
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