Electrical Question: Dimmer buzzing

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

This morning, the dimmer switch in the kitchen started making a loud buzzing noise. It's coming from the dimmer itself, not the lights or anything. The breaker that it's on (and a third of the house, apparently) blew this morning, about an hour after the hall light going out (also on the breaker).

Are all these things related? Is the problem probably limited to the dimmer switch, or is it a bigger electrical problem.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Time to replace it

fire hazzard.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. That's what I figured

[Xipe Totec]

4. It's not hard, I just had to do the same two months ago.

Very common for dimmer switches.

[LostinVA]

3. Will it be okay nfor a few days if we don't use it?

We may not be able to get someone in for a few days. Or, is it something we can do ourselves?

I've never heard a switch buzz before, and I don't wnat my house burned down while we're at work!

[Xipe Totec]

5. Go to the hardware store and talk to the guy in electrical

These switches are simple to replace; they are usually connected with wire nuts, no soldering required. Usually you just need a screw driver and the replacement part.

But you do need to make sure to cut the power off before relacing the part.


PS: Talk to the guy, or gal, in electrical. :blush:

[LostinVA]

8. It's okay -- I say that, too, and I'm female

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

12. Is it possible to replace a dimmer switch with a regular switch?

[Xipe Totec]

15. Yes, they are interchangeable

The regular switches are cheaper too.

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. You can do it yourself... (edited)

Forget the stuff I had typed in here before...that was for a regular switch.

For a dimmer....use this link.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/192130/how_to_replace_or_install_a_dimmer.html?cat=6

I do believe that there are wires coming out of the dimmer switch that are connected to the wires in the wall with plastic wire nuts.

On a regular switch, the wires in the wall go directly to screws on the switch...it is a bit different for a dimmer.

Follow the directions at the link...make sure your wire nut connections are good and tight...wrap some electrical tape over the bottom of the wire nut and the wire when done.

The guy/gal at the store can explain it in detail too.

[LostinVA]

10. Great, thanks

[LeftyFingerPop]

11. Hold on....see my edit in about 2 minutes, n/t

[conscious evolution]

6. Replace it.

Are you using CFLs? Some older dimmers do not work well with CFL bulbs.
Also check the total wattage of allof the lightbulbs being dimmed by that particular dimmer and compare to its max watta...

Call an electrician. It could be just a bad dimmer but it sounds like there could be a more serious problem that needs adressing.Due to the dangerous nature of electrical problems it is better to have a qualified person check it out.

[LostinVA]

9. There are CFLs in there, which makes me wonder

[Xipe Totec]

16. dupe - finger stutter.

[Xipe Totec]

17. Yup, either the dimmer goes, or the CFLs go

Compact Fluorescent Lights and dimmers not a happy mix.

[HopeHoops]

13. Most start out quiet and get louder with time. - Suggestion - consider X-10

The physical dimmer switches degrade over time and get loud. They ALSO mess with cordless phones! Try talking on one while you're standing next to a half-dimmed light.

X-10 makes push button switches that use circuitry to handle the dimming - and you can control them with remotes or stick a remote that looks like a wall switch anywhere you want (no wiring, small battery). I've got most of the house wired for X-10 and I love it. ONE note of caution: do NOT use compact fluorescent bulbs with an X-10 dimmer - they are NOT compatible! Also, if you get crazy about it, you'll want to consider a phase coupler - mine is a pass-through box that uses the dryer plug and it works great (SmartHome model - similar stuff, same technology, but more expensive).

[Orrex]

14. Get a Mac

:hide:

[bigwillq]

18. Just replace it.

It happened to me too and we just replaced it.

[pokerfan]

19. some cheaper ones buzz all the time

http://home.howstuffworks.com/dimmer-switch5.htm