Can I Remove the InLine Dimmer Switch in a Floor Lamp?

[Jay Chan]

I have a floor lamp that has an inline dimmer switch. I would like to replace the incandescent light blub with a compact fluorescent blub in order to save electric power (and for another reason). The problem is that I can only find dimmerable compact fluorescent blub up to the equivalent of 75-walt incandescent light blubm, and that is too low for the area that I want to illuminate. On the other hand, the high power version of compact fluorescent blub that I want is not dimmerable. I think the best solution is to get rid of the inline dimmer-switch of the floor lamp and make it non-dimmerable (I never want to dim the light in that area anyway). Can I simply cut out the inline dimmer switch and reconnect the power wires together?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan

[RBM]

You could do that or just leave or tape the dimmer in the full "on" position

[Jay Chan]

Glad to hear the good news. I am very tempted to simply tape the dimmer in the full position. But that dimmer is also a way to turn ON/ OFF the floor lamp (all the way down is OFF). Sound like I cannot simply tape the dimmer to the full position. This is OK. I am happy just to be able to replace the dimmer switch with a simple ON/OFF switch.

Thanks for the helpful info.

Jay Chan

[aemeijers]

This is a pole light, right? With the switch sticking out the side of the pole? For about four bucks, the Borg has a rotary on-off switch that will fit right in there. Only downside is the fancy trim cap for the knob likely won't fit, but it will still look better than an empty hole, and let you use the lamp on an unswitched outlet. (I assume you didn't plan to leave it running 24/7, or unplug it to turn it off.) I've converted several lamps that way, where the crappy dimmer got hot and self-destructed. I also never use lamps like that other than full on.

aem sends...