Hey Everyone,
I recently replaced a standard light switch with a Lutron Dimmer for the lights in the bathroom. Now, they have a very very very low hum to them when at full strength but as I dim the lights, the hum gets louder and louder. The Dimmer isn’t a 3-way if it matters any.
It’s a standard bathroom type fixture (3 incandescent lights) not halogen etc.
Any idea of what would cause the switch to cause a hum to come from the light?
Thanks,
Paul
Replies
I am not an electrician but I think it has to do with the grounding. try it on a different location
Edited 1/27/2008 4:59 pm ET by semar
yeah, Ibelive all dimmers do that. at least all of mine. Is the humming coming from the bulbs?
"It is like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer: it feels so good when you stop"
Replace the bulbs with ones with thicker filaments. Call customer service, and they'll let you know what kind to get.
Had the same problem in a dining room. New bulbs solved it. The humming is caused by the filaments vibrating.
Pete Duffy, Handyman
Thanks Guys.
I'll double check the ground and get some thicker filament bulbs.
Last i checked, i didn't notice bulbs manufacturers advertising bulb filament thickness. How does one go about determining a quality incandescent from an inferior one?
Paul
The ground would have nothing to do with it. It's the filaments.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
thanks
I believe rough service bulbs might fit the bill. The kind used in mechanic's droplights.
If the hum is coming from the light bulb then it's due to the design of the filament in the light. A different brand or style will generally be different (though not necessarily better).
(Or it could be that the light bulb simply doesn't know the words.)
LOL... doesn't know the words...
I'm not an electrician, but mebbee it just doesn't know the words.
Steve