I'm having problems with the little chandelier in my dining room. The dimmer switch is the type you press to turn it on/off, and turn to dim it bright/dark. The press button still works to turn it on/off, but the dimmer is just set to full brightness. ........ .......... .......... ........... .............. .......... ............ ............. ......... ............ .............. ................
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I think it started when a bulb burnt out, so we replaced the bulbs and it's still not working. I went to Home Depot today and asked for bulbs specifically for dimming, and they said the ones I have should work. So what's wrong with it? How do I fix it?
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Thanks.
2007-03-16 02:16:00 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It sounds if the dimmer switch has worn out and should be replaced. You need to know how many lights the chandelier has and what their wattage is show you can get the proper size dimmer. Replacing a dimmer switch should be no problem. If it is the only switch that controls that light, then it has two wires and it makes no difference which switch wire goes to which house wire.
2007-03-16 10:34:24 · answer #1 · answered by Ben D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dimmer needs to be replaced. The circuit that dims the lights has blown. This will sometimes happen if you touch the dimmer switch and you discharge a static spark to the control shaft. The dimmer is a solid state device and sensitive to voltage spikes.
2007-03-16 02:25:51 · answer #2 · answered by frozen 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to check the wiring on the inside of the dimmer switch or just go ahead and replace the entire switch.
2007-03-16 02:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by GeneL 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dimmer switches only work with filament bulbs. Compact fluorescents will stay off until the dimmer is turned up to full, then try to maintain full brightness as the dimmer is backed off. This increases the amount of current drawn (negative resistance!) and doesn't do the dimmer any good. It will hum, overheat and eventually fail. Chances are the triac in the dimmer switch has failed short-circuit. If you are no good with soldering, just replace the whole dimmer switch ..... needless to say, turn off the power at the fuse box before you start.
2016-03-18 05:00:16 · answer #4 · answered by Beverly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll have to replace the switch, make sure you turn your breaker off 1st. good luck Les the painter
2007-03-16 02:24:29 · answer #5 · answered by Les the painter 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋