Dimmer switches and low energy lightbulbs?

Question

We inadvertently replaced a bulb with a low energy bulb, which blew a few days later. It dawned on me then that the light used a dimmer switch to operate it (doh!). Unfortunately, now the light won't work with a normal bulb either. hat is the likely cause, and how can i sort it out?

Cheers,

croasr

Answer 1

Sorry about the switch, next time get this type of dimmerable energy saving light/bulb

to go with your new dimmer switch.

http://www.litebulbs.co.uk/category/86/m...

Answer 2

The triac in the dimmer switch can't drive the inductive load of a compact florecent, it has been damaged.  You must replace the dimmer

Answer 3

It sounds to me like you fried both the compact fluorescent and the dimmer in one shot.  They don't usually go at the same time, but whenever you control a CF bulb with a dimmer it's certain that one is going to over heat and burn out.

I'm assuming that you've done some preliminary troubleshooting like checking both bulbs in a lamp that you know is working.  If you haven't, this might be a good idea.  You might just have a tripped breaker and not a blown dimmer.

If the dimmer has indeed gone bad and you want to replace it yourself, I suggest that you turn off the power at the circuit breaker and as you take it out of the wall be sure to carefully mark where each of the wires go on the switch.  You might even take some digital pictures of it as you're taking it apart.  After you have it out take it to the hardware store with you so that they can match it up for you.  Once you're back home simply reverse the process you used to take it out.

As for the bulbs, there is a kind of CF bulb that is actually dimmable.  I haven't seen many of them but they do exist.  

Good luck

Answer 4

i would say you blew the switch, i would call the company that manufactured the light fixture/ switch :) good luck!

Answer 5

the switch has probably gone, u cannot use dimmer switch with low energy bulbs

Answer 6

You can sort it out by replacing the CFL with a normal GLS lamp & obtaining a new dimmer switch