I installed a dimmer for track lights. The lights will turn on and off but, when I try and dim the lights they make a hissing sound. What could be the problem?
2007-03-30 15:27:20 · 8 answers · asked by Vman 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
The dimmer is an Aspire slide dimmer rated for 600w and I have 6 50watt MR16 halogen lights... Also, if it helps the track light is connected to a 120v power receptacle which is connected to the switch where I tryed to put a dimmer.
2007-03-31 05:41:09 · update #1
When buying a dimmer switch, you need to pay attention to the switches rating. You need to add up the total wattage of all the light bulbs in the fixture, (if you have 4 75 watt bulbs, then you need a dimmer switch that is rated for 300 watts or more).
You also need to make sure the lights you are trying to dim are dimmable, check the manufacturers recommendation.
2007-03-31 03:26:31 · answer #1 · answered by Ben D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Track Lighting Dimmer
2016-12-12 06:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two things:
1- Do you have transformers (ballasts for low voltage lighting)
involved? Then you need a special dimmer supplied from a big home center or electrical supply house.
2- Get all the data you can from the ID plate or sticker from one of the fixtures (wattage is the most important) and you will need the total number of fixtures involved.
The total wattage should be a lot less that the wattage rating on the switch. ie; standard dimmers run 600 w,1000 w and 1500 w. (There are more out there) These are for regular incandescent lights not fluorescent or low voltage.
(a little more technical stuff - standard dimmers have snap-off tabs that derate the wattage capacity (lower the value) as they are heat syncs and allow the switches to fit in a smaller space as with another switch in the same box.
Goo Luck and I hope this helps you out ! ! !
2007-03-30 23:45:18 · answer #3 · answered by norman8012003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
High voltage bulbs or low voltage? If low voltage then you need a dimmer intended for dealing with them, and often costing 3-4 times as much as a cheap wall dimmer.
The bulbs should be labeled for voltage or the transformer should be on the base of each fixture if there is not a power supply for the whole track (as on store display units.)
2007-03-30 20:23:01 · answer #4 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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The type of dimmer used depends upon the type of lights you choose to use. There is only one type of magnetic (inductive) dimmer but there are two types of electronic dimmers..."Leading Edge" & "Trailing Edge". These dimmers are not applicable for some types of lighting. If in doubt, get an expert.
2016-04-03 22:51:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drawing too much current. for a test unscrew half of the lights and see if you still have the noise, if so , then unscrew a few more, if you still have it, you have a bad dimmer. Get another check the wattage rating on the lamps and the dimmer.
2007-03-30 16:41:20 · answer #6 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Too much wattage for the rating of the switch. Purchase a higher rated switch or reduce wattage of bulbs.
2007-03-30 15:33:40 · answer #7 · answered by Joseph 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Observe polarity. You're probably hearing arcing.
2007-03-31 10:39:36 · answer #8 · answered by George R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋