Dimming Low Energy Lamps

[Ian Prideaux]

Hi All,

Will low energy bulbs work with dimmer switches?

[cerberus]

The 'standard' ones no, see

Don.

[Dystopia]

I have tried the ones that are supposed to work with a dimmer and they don't. As you dim them they will flash on and off then extinguish completely the same the other way.

I was told that I needed a different kind of dimmer and changed it but that did not work either. I returned the bulbs to the supplier and explained my problem but they did not offer an answer either, they just refunded my money.

When incandescent bulbs are no longer available I think dimmers will be a thing of the past.

[Astral Voyager]

In most cases - No. A low energy bulb works on the same principle as a fluorescent tube. See:

Using a standard dimmer reduces the flow of electrons between the electrodes to too low a level to maintain light emission of the gas in the tube.

You can *sometimes* get one to work, dependant on the way the dimmer works, by turning the dimmer on full (to strike the bulb) and then dim it down. At around 50% brightness though the preceding paragraph comes into effect once more and the light extinguishes.

You don't say what bulbs you had but I have had success with Osram Dulux EL Dim bulbs.

[ARWadworth]

The bog standard low energy lamps will not work with dimmers.

There are dimmable low energy lamps available though.

Adam

[Dystopia]

I purchased a 'dimmable' bulb but it didn't (see previous post). Has anyone really got one that dims properly?