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If you use a non-dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) in a circuit controlled by a dimmer switch no damage will be done but the CFL will stay bright when the dimmer is turned down whilst any other normal incandescent lamps wired into the same circuit will go dim in the normal way.
Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps are now available, for example in the Megaman range of CFLs. For more information see the Related Link shown below.
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Incandescent dimming uses any incandescent lamps and an incandescent dimmer.
To dim fluorescent lamps usually requires use of fluorescent dimmers AND fluorescent dimmable ballasts. If these two components do not match, dimming will not work.
The fluorescent lamps themselves are the same whether you put them in a standard (nondimming) ballast or a dimmable ballast.
If your dimmers are not dimming the CFLs they are either not fluorescent dimmers or, more likely, your ballast in the light fixture is not a dimmable ballast.
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Can an incondescent lamp dimmer be used to control a fluorescent lamp load?
No, incandescent lamp dimmers are not compatible with fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps require special dimming ballasts to control their light output. Attempting to use an incandescent lamp dimmer with a fluorescent lamp can cause damage to the lamp and dimmer.
Is there a dimmable CFL bulb that can be used with an electronic dimmer?
Not all CFL bulbs are dimmable, and those that are require specific dimmer switches designed to work with them. Make sure to check if both the CFL bulb and the electronic dimmer are compatible before use to avoid damage and ensure proper functionality.
Which dimmer switch to use with LED down lighters?
Look on the carton that the dimmer comes in. On the label there will be a list of lamp types that the dimmer can be used on along with the maximum wattage that the dimmer can control.
Why does a dimmable eco bulb not dim when controlled from a dimmer switch?
The bulb must be labeled as dimmable. If the bulb is an LED for example there is a circuit that transforms the 120 AC supply voltage to a DC voltage. This circuit needs to be able to supply a DC voltage proportional to the voltage required to operate the LEDs. In a dimmable bulb you might be powering the multiple LEDs selectively to achieve dimming rather than just reducing voltage to all LEDs over a very small voltage range in which an LED operates.
Can xenon lamps be used with a dimmer switch?
No, xenon lamps are not typically compatible with dimmer switches. Xenon lamps require a specific voltage to operate efficiently, and dimmer switches may not provide a constant level of voltage, which can lead to inconsistent lighting or may damage the lamp. It is recommended to use xenon lamps with standard on/off switches.
