Ceiling Light Buzzi...
 

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[Closed] Ceiling Light Buzzing (Dimmer Switch Content)

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Just installed two identical ceiling lights with identical dimmer switches. One seems to be quite happy, the other buzzes as you dim it. Faulty unit or faulty installation?

Edit: Doesn't buzz when on full either.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 4:38 pm
 DrP
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You need a fancy dimmer, not a basic rotational one,I imagine. A touch dimmer (mk or the like) should sort it.

DrP


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 4:55 pm
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Non electrician here, but as a user I've experienced this with every dimmer switch I've fitted. Some louder than others, and always no buzz when on full. I assumed it's 'the electronics' in there.
It may be that there are better makes than others. I'd like to know if there is a solution to this so hopefully some experts will be along shortly.

Edit: Only ever used the rotary type.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 4:58 pm
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[edit] ignore me


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:01 pm
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The lamp Filament can resonate and match the on/off/on/off from the dimmer.
Different types of dimmers (eg sine wave) can soften the buzz but your average wall dimmer from B&Q will not. The noise is normal. Some filaments will vibrate others don't.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:07 pm
 db
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What sort of bulbs are you using? I thought a lot of energy saving ones were not meant to be dimmed hence buzzed?


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:10 pm
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Halogen G4 10W. It says they are dimmable.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:17 pm
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Lamps dimmable okay.
Transformer dimmable okay

Dimmer shouldn't buzz, but some do as they hold the load. Hence it being quiet when not dimmed.
Was an old issue, not encountered it for years now. My house had a noisy dimmer, that was in the 80's


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:38 pm
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Sorry for confusion. Buzzing is in light not dimmer. It's a spiral burst effect light with 6 x halogen bulbs. 2 lights, one buzzes the other doesn't.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:43 pm
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Check for arcing at a loose connection. If all good then its just vibrating filaments. Nothing to lose any sleep about.


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 5:55 pm
 DrP
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I would strongly suggest trying one of [url= http://www.varilight.co.uk/products/touchremotedimmers.html ]these[/url].

We had fancy light (like yours sound) and the [b]very loud buzz[/b] didn't go away until we got an intelligent dimmer.

Interestingly - I think only one of our pair buzzed too! I too it apart, and the transformer was ever so slightly different in them - must have been why!

Good luck!

(the varilight can be programmed to respond to ANY IR remote control - P.I.M.P!)

DrP


 
Posted : 21/01/2012 11:51 pm