Dimming Low Voltage – I’ve been bad
I know what I did was wrong but I can’t help myself…
I installed a cheap low voltage lighting system over my TV couch. The Transformer is external – screwed it to the wall behind the couch and then plugged it into a wall outlet. Ran a switch to the wall outlet. Since it’s my TV couch and I need to dim the lights (SWMBO doesn’t like total darkness for movies like I do), I then installed a dimmer in the switch box.
Besides probably creating a box overfill violation in the outlet box, I get the vague premonition that this is wrong. Something about decreasing the voltage to the transformer and burning the transformer out….
1) Is this wrong?
2) If so, what are the consequences? (Shortened life of the transformer, I could probably live with – the whole low voltage setup was $50 at Home Cheapo. Things bursting into flames when I’m asleep on the couch with the game on, not good, needs to be changed.
3) If this is wrong, what do I need to do to properly dim low voltage lights?
Thanks in advance,
Ben
Replies
Very, very simple fix.
Arrange the couch so that when you are startled in your sleep by the fire the beer will slip out of your hand and fall on the transformer and put out the fire.
Actually this is OK. If you used a cheap dimmer then you might get flickering of the lights or it might fail early. Check the replacement to see if it is speced for use with transformers or magnetic loads.
I have basically the same stuff in my kitchen.
(Assuming you used halogens and not fluorescents)
The lights specifically said they were dimmable
with a regular incandescent dimmer. You will not
risk burning out the transformer. Its running less
current and hence less heat is generated. The light
is more yellow because halogens don't really work right
unless used at full rated voltage. The bulbs may
actually have a bit shorter life when dimmed and you will
probably hear the transformer buzz a bit. Should be
no major problems and no risk of fire.
Phillips also makes dimmable fluorescents that screw into a
regular incadescent socket and work with a regular
incandescent dimmer. Around 20 bucks each. Only trick
is you need a dimmer that has an adjustment for minimum
output because the fluorescents don't work below about
30% output. The color stays white even when dim but they
don't work well when its cold.
Ben,
I'm too lazy to look for it, but I think the NEC says you can't dim a receptacle. OTOH, it's your house and you know what's hooked to what. Otherwise, you're OK.
Jerry
Thanks Jerry. I appreciate all the replies.