I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

If it'a mains voltage light, then yes.

On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 12:10:28 GMT, rk wrote:

I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Yes they are.

The case that one has to be careful about is low voltage since this
depends in part on the transformer. Having said that, most of those
seem to be dimmable.


--

..andy

Andy Hall wrote:
On Sat, 18 Feb 2006 12:10:28 GMT, rk wrote:


I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.


Yes they are.

The case that one has to be careful about is low voltage since this
depends in part on the transformer. Having said that, most of those
seem to be dimmable.




Cheers for your help guys.

"rk" wrote in message
...
I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Yes but make sure you get a dimmer switch capable of taking the load.
Halogen lights are different to normal lights.
I burnt out my last dimmer switch even although it was well over the rating
I'm sure someone will be along to explain it better in a minute.

In article ,
rk wrote:
I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Think GU10 means mains halogens so you should be ok - assuming your dimmer
is suitable.

--
*Real men don't waste their hormones growing hair

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

In article ,
No Thanks go@away wrote:
I burnt out my last dimmer switch even although it was well over the
rating I'm sure someone will be along to explain it better in a minute.

IIRC, it's down to the cold resistance of the filament which varies with
the design of bulb. The dimmer instructions should say how much it has to
be derated, but I'd guess at half. Could be modern dimmers can all cope
with any type of bulb, though. Haven't bought one for a while.

--
*Confession is good for the soul, but bad for your career.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

No Thanks wrote:
"rk" wrote in message
...

I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.


Yes but make sure you get a dimmer switch capable of taking the load.
Halogen lights are different to normal lights.
I burnt out my last dimmer switch even although it was well over the rating
I'm sure someone will be along to explain it better in a minute.




The dimmer I'm getting should handle upto 400 so hopefully I won't burn
it out!

In article ,
rk wrote:
Yes but make sure you get a dimmer switch capable of taking the load.
Halogen lights are different to normal lights. I burnt out my last
dimmer switch even although it was well over the rating I'm sure
someone will be along to explain it better in a minute.


The dimmer I'm getting should handle upto 400 so hopefully I won't burn
it out!

Best to actually read the instructions etc to check it is suitable for
your halogen loading.

This might be some use.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technica...immerGuide.htm

--
*Eschew obfuscation *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"rk" wrote in message
...
I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

B&Q GU10s + properly rated dimmer switch = burnt out dimmer switch

I don't know how B&Q get their GU10s made, but they are nothing but trouble.

-- JJ

"rk" wrote in message
...
I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because of
the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed massively
reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not going into
details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")

"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in message
news

"rk" wrote in message
...
I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because
of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed
massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not
going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")


OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm

Tim Morley wrote:
"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in message
news
"rk" wrote in message
...

I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection which
also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable. However, Argos
don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because
of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed
massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not
going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")



OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm




Thanks for that link + info. What does 'de-rated by 50%' mean?

I'll also stay away from them B&Q GU10's!

"rk" wrote in message
...
Tim Morley wrote:
"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in
message news
"rk" wrote in message
...

I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because
of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed
massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not
going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")



OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm




Thanks for that link + info. What does 'de-rated by 50%' mean?

I'll also stay away from them B&Q GU10's!


Sorry, should have been clearer. If box says 400W dimmer, then (subject to
operating instructions etc) if using GU10 lamps then only use 50% of its
capacity, ie 200W. Hope that makes sense now

Tim Morley wrote:
"rk" wrote in message
...

Tim Morley wrote:

"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in
message news

"rk" wrote in message
...


I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want to
double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because
of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed
massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not
going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")



OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm




Thanks for that link + info. What does 'de-rated by 50%' mean?

I'll also stay away from them B&Q GU10's!



Sorry, should have been clearer. If box says 400W dimmer, then (subject to
operating instructions etc) if using GU10 lamps then only use 50% of its
capacity, ie 200W. Hope that makes sense now




Yes, that makes sense.. sorry for being a numpty!

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
No Thanks go@away wrote:
I burnt out my last dimmer switch even although it was well over the
rating I'm sure someone will be along to explain it better in a minute.

IIRC, it's down to the cold resistance of the filament which varies with
the design of bulb. The dimmer instructions should say how much it has to
be derated, but I'd guess at half. Could be modern dimmers can all cope
with any type of bulb, though. Haven't bought one for a while.


Don't think they do cope. I know of a 1000w rated dimmer that was
ruined within a month or so of being installed. It was controlling a
dozen gu10 at 50w. All the bulbs were replaced by 35w and the new
(1000w) dimmer seems to be doing ok. Your estimate that initial power
flow can be twice as high as the rating seems about right.

In article ,
"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE writes:

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50% because of
the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig dimmed massively
reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical reaction, not going into
details; google for halogen lamp "halogen cycle")

Actually, it's very difficult to find halogen lamps where dimming
reduces the life at all. Although the halogen cycle stops, this
also coincides with massive reduction in filament evaporation as
you reduce the filament temperature. Mostly, by the time the
halogen cycle has stopped, filament evaporation is so insignificant
that the filament life has already tended to infinity even in the
absence of the halogen cycle.

--
Andrew Gabriel

"rk" wrote in message
...
Tim Morley wrote:
"rk" wrote in message
...

Tim Morley wrote:

"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in
message news

"rk" wrote in message
...


I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want
to double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will
work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50%
because of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig
dimmed massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical
reaction, not going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen
cycle")



OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm




Thanks for that link + info. What does 'de-rated by 50%' mean?

I'll also stay away from them B&Q GU10's!



Sorry, should have been clearer. If box says 400W dimmer, then (subject
to operating instructions etc) if using GU10 lamps then only use 50% of
its capacity, ie 200W. Hope that makes sense now




Yes, that makes sense.. sorry for being a numpty!

No worries, if you have yet to buy a dimmer. Go to an electrical wholesalers
and get an MK "Intelligent Dimmer"

(Cut from MK data sheet -
http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/PDF/tech..._PLUS_tech.pdf pdf page
17 )

Intelligent Dimmer Switches incorporate the following advanced

features

? Suitable for dimming Low Voltage Halogen lamps via good quality,

fully dimmable electronic or wire-wound transformers

? Can be used with good quality mains voltage halogen lamps

incorporating GU10 bases. Please check with lamp manufacturer to

determine suitability

? Unidirectional current sensing

While being used with wire-wound transformers for low voltage

lighting, these dimmer switches continuously monitor the drive

conditions to the transformers, which require essentially, bidirectional

a.c. supply at their input terminals. If, due to some fault

condition, the supply to the wire-wound transformer is detected to

be unidirectional, which could result in over-heating and/or

damaging the transformer, the dimmer switches' circuitry

automatically stops supplying the transformer after a few cycles of

detected unidirectional supply

? Soft Start, which gradually increases the light output from the load

over 1 to 3 seconds after switch on. The Soft Start feature is also

particularly beneficial when used to dim Mains Voltage Tungsten

Halogen lamps which have inherent very high inrush current at

switch on

Standard Dimmer Switches

? Suitable only for use with fused GLS Tungsten Filament lamps to BS

EN 60064 and BS EN 60432-1

? One way dimmer switches incorporate manual soft start

? Incorporate thermal switches for protection against overload

Don't think they do cope. I know of a 1000w rated dimmer that was
ruined within a month or so of being installed. It was controlling a
dozen gu10 at 50w. All the bulbs were replaced by 35w and the new
(1000w) dimmer seems to be doing ok. Your estimate that initial power
flow can be twice as high as the rating seems about right.


It is when they blow and short-circuit that the dimmers tend to die. And if
you buy GU10s from B&Q, it won't be long before one blows and
short-circuits...

While investigating blowing bulbs a few years ago, it appeared that B&Q seem
to hammer the suppliers costs down so much, that they produce special lines
just for B&Q (though don't always label them as such). I suspect, in those
sepcial lines, it is the long-life and safetly features that are sacrificed.

I bought two identical MK dimmers - identical ratings, model code etc. - one
from B&Q and one from a local retailers. The local retailers version had
extra components in it and a bigger heatsink, and a more robust connection
between the heatsink and the thyrister. Of course, there could be other
explanations for this, but it was enough for me not to touch B&Q electtical
gear again (there was other evidence too, so this was not the only thing
that led me to believe that their electrical equipment is inferior, even
when it appears to be a big name).

-- JJ

Tim Morley wrote:
"rk" wrote in message
...

Tim Morley wrote:

"rk" wrote in message
...


Tim Morley wrote:


"Tim Morley" tim.morley*REMOVE wrote in
message news


"rk" wrote in message
...



I'm about to buy the following item from Argos (430/8777) but I want
to double check that light will work with a dimmer wall light switch.

http://tinyurl.com/9s66e

I've been into B&Q and noticed that a lot of their light collection
which also take GU10 halogen bulbs state that they are dimmable.
However, Argos don't mention anything so I'm not sure if they will
work.

Thanks.

Check your dimmer specification. Most need to be de-rated by 50%
because of the huge start current of these lamps. Also remember runnig
dimmed massively reduces life span of halogen lamps. (gas/chemical
reaction, not going into details; google for halogen lamp "halogen
cycle")



OK, heres one:

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...logenWorks.htm




Thanks for that link + info. What does 'de-rated by 50%' mean?

I'll also stay away from them B&Q GU10's!



Sorry, should have been clearer. If box says 400W dimmer, then (subject
to operating instructions etc) if using GU10 lamps then only use 50% of
its capacity, ie 200W. Hope that makes sense now




Yes, that makes sense.. sorry for being a numpty!


No worries, if you have yet to buy a dimmer. Go to an electrical wholesalers
and get an MK "Intelligent Dimmer"

(Cut from MK data sheet -
http://www.mkelectric.co.uk/PDF/tech..._PLUS_tech.pdf pdf page
17 )

Intelligent Dimmer Switches incorporate the following advanced

features

? Suitable for dimming Low Voltage Halogen lamps via good quality,

fully dimmable electronic or wire-wound transformers

? Can be used with good quality mains voltage halogen lamps

incorporating GU10 bases. Please check with lamp manufacturer to

determine suitability

? Unidirectional current sensing

While being used with wire-wound transformers for low voltage

lighting, these dimmer switches continuously monitor the drive

conditions to the transformers, which require essentially, bidirectional

a.c. supply at their input terminals. If, due to some fault

condition, the supply to the wire-wound transformer is detected to

be unidirectional, which could result in over-heating and/or

damaging the transformer, the dimmer switches' circuitry

automatically stops supplying the transformer after a few cycles of

detected unidirectional supply

? Soft Start, which gradually increases the light output from the load

over 1 to 3 seconds after switch on. The Soft Start feature is also

particularly beneficial when used to dim Mains Voltage Tungsten

Halogen lamps which have inherent very high inrush current at

switch on

Standard Dimmer Switches

? Suitable only for use with fused GLS Tungsten Filament lamps to BS

EN 60064 and BS EN 60432-1

? One way dimmer switches incorporate manual soft start

? Incorporate thermal switches for protection against overload



I've got the dimmer already. I might just play it safe and just use 35W
bulbs - might be a bit easier on the pocket too!