On Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:48:34 -0500, jeff_wisnia
wrote:

What I don't understand is how a tiny bug like that could have enough
body capacitance to activate the dimmer.

It's not capacitance. The dimmer switch acts on changes to the amount
of 60Hz hummmmm that it picks up. Anything that abruptly changes the
amount of hum will cause the switch to trip. The bettle is apparently
slightly conductive (mostly water) and acts as a slightly larger
antenna for the dimmer switch. When you get close to the switch with
your hand, it's the capacitance between your body and the switch which
increases the hum level. When something actually touches the switch,
it's conduction, which has a greater effect than capacitance.

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