Electrician/electrical expert help please on dimmer switches used with energy saving light bulbs

[thisismyidfordiscussionboardsonly]

Hello,

In my living room I originally had two ceiling lights each fitted with non-dimmable fluorescent energy saving bulbs (240V, BC fittings) and they were wired into a single normal on/off light switch so that the one switch turned both lights on or both lights off.

I have since rewired the circuit and fitted a double dimmer switch and replaced the bulbs with standard filament bulbs for now to enable each light to be switched on and off and have different brightnesses independently from each other.

I bought a standard double dimmer switch (each switch features a push-on/push-off feature) from Wilkinson for £7.49 designed to run on loads of upto 250 watts per gang (possibly around 40 or 60 watts minimum).

In Bold on the instructions it says: Do not use this dimmer switch for wirewound low voltage lighting transformers, non-dimmable energy saving bulbs, fluorescent tubes or fans.

What I would ideally like to do is since the rest of the lamps in my home are all fitted with energy saving bulbs, I would like to use either dimmable fluorescent or LED energy saving bulbs in my ceiling lights connected to my dimmer switches.

Would anyone who understands what I wish to do and is qualified on these matters, please explain if:

1. If my dimmer switch is definitely suitable to be used with a dimmable energy saving lamp and whether it has to be a fluorescent type or if it can be an LED type of bulb I can fit.

2. Please explain which make and model types of fluorescent and/or LED type of bulbs I can use with the dimmer switch.
 If possible, please forward me some links from ebay of sellers preferably in the UK that sells suitable bulbs for my dimmer switch but ideally reasonably cheap priced with good feedback.

3. If you think my dimmer switch is not actually suitable for dimmable energy saving bulbs despite saying in bold not to use with non-dimmable energy saving bulbs which suggests it is suitable for dimmable energy saving bulbs, please explain why you don't think my dimmer switch is suitable and please tell me If there are any specialised dimmer switches I need to buy instead to work specifically with fluorescent or LED dimmable energy saving bulbs.

As 2., If possible, please forward me some links from ebay of sellers preferably in the UK that sells suitable dimmer switches for my needs but ideally reasonably cheap priced with good feedback.

Thanks so much in advance, I would return the favour for any help if I could.

Kind Regards to you all with any help and advice you can give me.

[ilove2patch]

I don't think we have any electricians post on here. Keep checking the post though.

[stroppy*cow]

Since you bought the dimmer switch in Wilkinson's, why don't you ask in there what bulbs are suitable for use with it.

You also might try a search on google for information about energy saving bulbs that can be used with a dimmer switch.

It might even be worth a trip to your local large d-i-y store and ask them about compatible dimmer switches and bulbs.

[xtf70]

My son is an electrician but at the other end of the country unfortunately, so I can't easily ask him

However if I was in your position I would go to one of the DIY sheds (Homebase or B&Q) and ask the advice of one of their departmental specialists, but from what you say it sounds as though the dimmer switch will be OK to use with dimmable lamps (since that's what it says) so all you need to do is find dimmable lamps of the type you prefer

[ed_blackadder_1]

I think I have seen dimmable energy saving lightbulds in Homebase, they are pricey though I think they were about £15.00 each, I was looking for a bulb you could use in an enclosed space i.e. outside light, they are out there but expensive.  If you don't want to go in lok on their website.

[spring_rabbit]

Very old dimmers won't work, but newer ones are different as they switch the voltage very fast (too fast for you to see) to reduce the brightness and are much more compatible

CFL bulbs ( the engery saving ones) don't work very well with a dimmer, you are better going for LED dimmable bulbs, pricey but last a really long time and save far more energy and give a far better light quality

Be aware that LED bubs may not dim in a smooth fashion

Have a look on LEDHUT or SIMPLYLED, both sites do dimmable LEDS and have a sale at the moment

On here a good seller is l-e-d (LED LIGHTS WAREHOUSE)

[thisismyidfordiscussionboardsonly]

Hi,

Thanks for your help so far,

As Wilkinson aren't really an electrical specialist shop, I don't think they could advise me on what they would recommend.

I probably will compare bulbs and their specifications between what people are selling on ebay to what DIY shops like B&Q and Hamebase are selling and compare prices also.

I'll probably just buy the one for the light I use more often and use the standard filament bulb in the one I don't use much.

[lost.parrot]

In a nutshell they are different technologies. The standard filament bulb works with the dimmer because as you reduce the current, the light emitted goes down ( the heat emitted goes up ) over  the dimmer range

The fluorescent lamps sold operate quite differently and put one on a dimmer and it would probably splutter and flicker at certain points if it worked at all after dimmed. If others are sold suitable for dimmers then it's likely they would work on yours, though you might like to buy local to begin with just to be safe in case you have problems. Its likely the range over which they operate would be less than the standard filament bulb

I think the advice given earlier to buy local at this point in time given the cost of ee lamps/bulbs might not be a bad idea