Are Wall Lights Dimmable?
Wall Lights July 30th, 2007I have recently had two dimmer switches installed on my mains lighting in the bedroom with a view to fitting two wall lights that can be dimmed. How can I tell which wall lights are suitable for dimming by this method…is it as simple as if it\’s halogen it can be dimmed? None of the wall lights I have seen listed mention that they can be dimmed unless they have a built in transformer…please can you help?
Jinx Bover
July 31st, 2007 at 12:14 am
Dear Jinx
Many thanks for your enquiry
All the fittings on our wall light pages http://lighting-store.com.au/lightshop/index.php?cPath=1_8 are suitable for dimming but it does depend a lot on the globes that you fit after you buy the fittings. For instance most compact fluorescent globes you buy these days are not suitable for dimmers. This means that you will be stuck with incandescent globes that use a lot of electricity and dont last very long.
There some exceptions to the rule as far as dimmable fittings (although not many). If you see a fitting that a PLC or PL globe or light-star lamp - these too are not dimmable!
Halogen globes are dimmable but also have a relatively short life but are a little more efficient (only slightly). All 12 volt halogens require a secondary power supply (a transformer) which is something else to go wrong and they use extra electricity too.
The best type of globes for wall lights are compact fluorescents but as mentioned earlier these are not dimmable. Next year, standard incandescent GLS globes will be banned from being brought into Australia and sales will be banned the following year so you may end up having to bypass your dimmers when this occurs anyway.
I hope this helps you a little in choosing a fitting
Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Kind regards
Daniel