Electrical problem needed solved!?

Question

recently fitted dimmer with 5 small spotlights in bedroom 1. It was working well until I installed a dimmer in an ajacent bedroom 2, now only a small amount of juice goes into Bedroom 1 lights. Also ensuite in bedroom 1 light is drawing much less electricity. Bedroom 2 is working great. Anybody know an electrican?

Answer 1

First of all make sure the combined power rating of the 5 small spots is within the max rating for the dimmer. Some older houses switch the neutrals. Also some lives are linked between switches. I would say you have put the bedroom 1 live into the bedroom 2 dimmer switch on the switched side. Without seeing it sorry you should call an electrician. If you are in central Scotland I could help.

Answer 2

This is for troubleshooting. Always throw relevant breakers off before removing switches.

First, the answer which suggested that the full operating wattage of five lights plus that of all others which are on the same circuit can not be realized on common house current (assuming no wiring anomaly) seems bogus. Consider that if you operate a tool which pulls high amps, that the lights on the same circuit may dim slightly when you turn the tool on, but return to full brightness after the tool motor achieves operating rpm.

For purposes of this answer I presume that the light switches in the respective rooms are single switches (only one switch can fit in the box behind the wall), and that there is an electrical cable which serves the switch consisting of a wire covered in white plastic, one covered with black plastic and one bare wire, which is the ground. Depending on the vintage of your residence, there may not be a ground wire. If not, no worry, as a ground wire is not essential for operation.

I also presume that you purchased dimmer switches which are manufactured for use with lights (not fans) and that the are three wires coming out of the back: one white (neutral), one black (hot), one green (the ground). If the switch has four wires it is a "3-way" switch. Unless the light fixture can be operated by either of two switches, say across the room from each other, a 3-way switch should not be used for the application.

I also presume that you are operating incandescent rather than flourescent lighting. Flourescent lights do not like dimmer switches, so that could be your problem. If you want dimming, use only incandescent bulbs.

If you were confident enough to attempt switching switches I trust you connected the wires white to white, black to black, and bare or green to bare or green. If not, do so.

Throw the breaker controlling the fixture in bedroom two off. Remove the br2 switch and cap the wires. Check if the lights in br1 are working and dimming properly. If so it appears that br1 is wired properly.

Then with the br2 breaker off, connect a regular on/off toggle switch. Throw the breaker on and see if the lights in br1 are affected when the br2 switch is on.

If all work properly at that point, off the br2 breaker, connect the dimmer switch, one the breaker, see if lights in both brs work as you expect.

If not, you might try another dimmer switch in br2 just to make certain the original br2 switch is not defective.

If you reach this point with continuing malfunction, call for assistance. This is most likely a simple wiring scheme. The hourly rate of a handyman ($50) in the area of my residence is considerably less than that of an electrician ($85), and a handyman is likely to be able to schedule a visit more promptly. Ask to be certain that the work is within the scope of the handyman's knowledge and experience.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Are both rooms on a single line? If so what you probably have is a matter of the current takeing the easiest path to neutral. For example room 1 is set to full dim, room 2 to full bright, the resistance of room 1 dimmer is much higher than the resistance of room 2 total, most current will go to room 2 and to neutral, lights will work, room 1 has little or no current lights don't work. Have a competent electrician check your rooms and wiring.

Answer 4

Halox is probably closest to the answer. If all was well till you fitted the second dimmer, you may have moved the loop feed to the switched side of the dimmer which puts both circuits in series, does one only work dimmly when the other is normal?

Can't tell any more without seeing it!

Answer 5

Be sure all the light bulbs are incandescent and not halogen or other type of bulb. Next be sure your dimmers are rated for the wattage the dimmer is handling. If this is not the problem you may have connected the wires up incorrectly. Recheck this and be sure black is to black and white is to the white wires.

Answer 6

Plus, some bulbs don't like dimmer switches too much. Try www.yell.com to find a local electrician.

Answer 7

are they all incandesant bulbs? Are the spots new? Are they halogen?There are different kinds of dimmers. Put your hand on the dimmer, is it hot? Dimmers require some knowledge, read the package.

Answer 8

Sounds like you connected the 2nd dimmer wrong or you have a wiring problem.

Answer 9

V = IR, so R = V/I R = pL/A - p is honestly the Greek letter rho. Turning that around, p = AR/L P = VI = V^2/R I = V / (R1 + R2 + R3 + R4) because of the fact the resistors are in sequence as quickly as you detect I for the circuit V-a million = I * R-a million and so on

Answer 10

5 Lights create high amp drainage, lower the wattage on the bulbs. If that does not work, check house amperage supply or your wiring.