So I have read on here before that CFLs are not suitable for use with
dimmer switches. Does this mean that CFLs wont 'dim', or that they simply
won't work or will be dangerous. Unfortunately my rented property has
dimmer switches everywhere, and I want to put CFLs in. I am not going to
be using the 'dimmer' function except when I turn them on and off. They
are weird touch-sensitive switches which you have to touch several times
to turn them up, and once again to turn off. Would it be safe to run CFLs?
Would the lifetime of them be affected as I would have to turn them up
gradually when turning on?

said the following on 27/09/2005 21:10:
So I have read on here before that CFLs are not suitable for use with
dimmer switches. Does this mean that CFLs wont 'dim', or that they
simply won't work or will be dangerous. Unfortunately my rented property
has dimmer switches everywhere, and I want to put CFLs in. I am not
going to be using the 'dimmer' function except when I turn them on and
off. They are weird touch-sensitive switches which you have to touch
several times to turn them up, and once again to turn off. Would it be
safe to run CFLs? Would the lifetime of them be affected as I would have
to turn them up gradually when turning on?



Most types of compact fluorescents are not suitable for use with
dimmers. This is because they have an electronics module between the
mains and the actual lamp.

If you put a CF lamp on a dimmer then most likely it will not work until
you put the dimmer up to "full". If you then turn the dimmer down a
little, the lamp may get dimmer or may just go off, or it may turn a
funny colour and/or make a buzzing noise and be obviously "unhappy" with
the supply.

It is not inherently dangerous to connect CF lamps to dimmers, they just
don't work very well (or at all) and you will most likey reduce the life
of the lamp.

Your best bet may be just to change the dimmer switches for ordinary
switches and be done with it.

In article ,
" writes:
So I have read on here before that CFLs are not suitable for use with
dimmer switches. Does this mean that CFLs wont 'dim', or that they simply
won't work or will be dangerous. Unfortunately my rented property has

They won't dim, but they shouldn't be dangerous.

dimmer switches everywhere, and I want to put CFLs in. I am not going to
be using the 'dimmer' function except when I turn them on and off. They
are weird touch-sensitive switches which you have to touch several times
to turn them up, and once again to turn off. Would it be safe to run CFLs?

They may not work at all, due to being under the minimum power
required for the dimmer to work.

Would the lifetime of them be affected as I would have to turn them up
gradually when turning on?

Could well be, and the lifetime of the dimmers too.

The anoying thing is retrofit CFL's for dimmers are manufacturered,
but don't seem to be available in the UK.

--
Andrew Gabriel

wrote:
So I have read on here before that CFLs are not suitable for use with
dimmer switches. Does this mean that CFLs wont 'dim', or that they simply
won't work or will be dangerous. Unfortunately my rented property has
dimmer switches everywhere, and I want to put CFLs in. I am not going to
be using the 'dimmer' function except when I turn them on and off. They
are weird touch-sensitive switches which you have to touch several times
to turn them up, and once again to turn off. Would it be safe to run CFLs?
Would the lifetime of them be affected as I would have to turn them up
gradually when turning on?


You can do this, its not dangerous, the gotchas a

1. it may flicker until full bri setting is reached
2. CFL life may be reduced a little
3. You might experience dimmer failures


NT

wrote:
wrote:
So I have read on here before that CFLs are not suitable for use with
dimmer switches. Does this mean that CFLs wont 'dim', or that they
simply won't work or will be dangerous. Unfortunately my rented
[...]
3. You might experience dimmer failures

1. Ask the landlord if you or he can change the switches over to standard
ones, they are cheap enough!

2. See 3 above - wait until it fails and then see 1 above!

:-)

Dave