Can You Use A Dimmer Switch With Fluorescent Bulbs

A dimmer switch won t work with the standard ballast in a fluorescent light.

Can you use a dimmer switch with fluorescent bulbs.

Dimmers aren t as necessary for c f. Most i m not sure about all aren t compatible. In fixing the dimmer switch to the fluorescent bulb you can t make use of the regular cable. Instead you ll have to make use of a three wire plus electric cable.

Occasionally when a halogen bulb burns out it will destroy a dimmer switch but. There are special dimmers and ballasts which when used together provide the fluorescent lighting that can be dimmed. What this does is it runs between the wall switch and the fixture. Bulbs for the purpose of lowering wattage because they are drastically reduced already.

It is possible to use wall dimmers for both fluorescent and cfl bulbs but each requires a different approach and special hardware. For energy efficiency install motion sensors. You cannot use most fluorescent lights with a dimmer. You need to install a special dimmer ballast and this won t work in all fluorescent fixtures.

Because of the added expense of these fixtures they are common only in commercial applications. Just about any incandescent bulb will work with a dimmer. Some dimmers such as this one are compatible with dimmable cfl bulbs. Instead you are way better off getting a dimmer specially made for fluorescent lights or cfls.

The answer is yes but certain considerations apply. And second you need a dimmer that is compatible with your bulb. It s also possible that the existing screw holes won t work with the ballast mounting screws in which case you ll need to drill new holes for them. A common fluorescent bulb will not work with a dimmer installed for incandescent lighting.

In order to achieve this you ll have to tear the wall open. They will tell you on the package not for use with dimmer. The easiest way to ensure that your light bulbs and dimmer controls are compatible is to check the lamp s manufacturer spec sheet or dimmer compatibility sheet. Furthermore it takes the correct type of dimmer switch like those made for incandescent or led lights won t work with fluorescent lights and a fluorescent light fixture that s rated for dimming.

The main problem is that standard dimmers are not perfectly compatible with all dimmable fluorescents even if the fluorescent says so on the package.