Light Bulb and Dimmer Switch Compatibility
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Understanding How Dimmer Switches Work with Light Bulbs © By: Dave Rongey |
Ceiling Fan Light Bulbs and Dimmer Switch Issue
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I have a ceiling fan with a light on a dimmer. The fan works but the light stopped working. The weeks prior to the lights not working, I would turn the dimmer on and nothing would happen for a few seconds, then the light would turn on.
Eventually, the light stopped working all together. Next to the dimmer is a switch for the fan. The fan works fine.
How do I solve this problem? Is it the light fixture or the switch?
Background: Ryan, a Homeowner from Tucson, AZ
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Ryan.
- I suspect that the light dimmer and the type of light bulbs that are used may not be compatible.
- Make sure that the dimmer switch states that it is compatible with the type of light bulbs being used in the ceiling fan.
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Hi Maurice,
A standard incandescent candelabra light bulb is compatible with standard dimmer switches. Typically, if a light bulb does not have the dimming capability it will be labeled Non-Dimmable.
Thank you for sharing your light bulb question with us,
Dave
Light Bulb and Dimmer Switch
I am replacing my ceiling fans that have dimmer switches on them. I have bought Hunter fans with candelabra bulbs on them which I am told are not compatible with dimmer switches. Since my dimmer switches worked on my old fans does this mean my old fans were wired to work with these candelabra bulbs?