Quick dimmer switch question

[tenohfive]

I'm about to pop out and buy a replacement dimmer switch since the old one has packed up. It controls 8 50w recessed spot lights. What wattage does the switch need to be? Is it number of bulbs x wattage of those bulbs i.e 400w?

[E36GUY]

Yes. At least.

[tenohfive]

Cheers. Might explain why the existing 250w one has packed up then.

[FamilyGuy]

It might not be dead - some dimmer switches have fuses inside, which if you've been running 400w through a 250w unit, might well have gone toes-up. I'm not suggesting you continue using it this way but it might be worth saving for use somewhere else.

Are your lights halogens? The last halogen I bought said it wouldn't work with "some" dimmers. Unhelpfully it didn't say what it would work with As it was it worked fine.

[tenohfive]

The new dimmer doesn't say if it works with halogens or not...my theory is that as it doesn't exclude their use, it's probably fine. It's working now in any case.

Just had a look at the old one for a fuse (as I'm planning on replacing a couple of other switches with dimmers) but I can't see one - I've pulled the back off the switch and can see what looks like an electromagnet and a few bits and bobs on the circuit board but it's mounted so that I can't get to those various bits and see if theres a fuse that can be removed - and the board itself doesn't seem to come away from the main switch.

[hairyben]

If they're low voltage spots then there'll be transformer losses meaning allow 20% extra current, If theyre GU10 mains voltage spots they have a startup "surge" meaning a heavier duty dimmer will last.


In both cases a 500w IQ "intelligent" dimmer is best, it soft-starts too which'll increase lamp life especially in the case of mains voltage halogens, they're avaliable yer: http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLQP501.html

If you have posh plates chrome etc just fit the new dimmer module to the old chrome plate- pull the button off and there's a nut underneath, don't over tighten.