Having loose wires behind your outlets can be extremely risky, leading to potentially hazardous situations such as fires. Loose wires in the outlet that the dimmer switch is connected to can also cause the dimmer to get hot, which can be dangerous. In addition, a hot dimmer switch can melt any plastic components and cause a bigger problem. Heat can significantly damage the switch itself. One of the primary reasons your dimmer might feel hot is if the receiving voltage is more than what it was designed for, which can be a big mistake made while installing the dimmer. However, if the dimmer switch is hot, it can signify a fault within the dimmer’s installation and functioning. So, if the dimmer feels warm to the touch, that is not necessarily a problem. Some dimmers can operate at a maximum temperature of 90☌ (195☏).
Dimmers operate at about 60☌ (140☏) and will be warm to the touch. Dimmer is Hot (loose wires)Īnother area of concern when it comes to an understanding of whether or not your dimmer is bad or not is if the dimmer gets hot when in use. In this case, your best bet would be to either get an electrician to take a look at possible faults in the switch or purchase a new dimmer switch altogether. It might be an indication that the dimmer switch itself is ineffective or faulty. However, the dimmer is still unable to dim the lights appropriately. However, if you’ve checked for compatibility and the dimmer’s installation was done correctly. It is essential to check that the type of light you have can be dimmed using the dimmer. If the light and the dimmer are not compatible, the dimmer will be inefficient and will not dim the lights. It is essential to ensure that the light that you use the dimmer switch with is dimmable. In some cases, although, the fault might be our own rather than the dimmer itself. The inefficiency of dimmer switches comes from them not dimming the lights correctly, precisely what they are designed to do.
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How To Determine If Your Dimmer is Bad?Īlthough dimmers can be relatively easy to install and can last you a long time without needing much maintenance, there are still chances that your dimmer might be ineffective or even dangerous in some cases. For example, when a power surge occurs, the dimmer receives more power than it’s designed for, which can lead to significant damage to the device and cause it to wear out. Another common reason as to why dimmers can start to wear out is power or voltage surges. Voltage overload is a common mistake that users of dimmer switches can make, leading to their dimmers wearing out faster and losing their efficiency rather quickly. There are many different reasons why this can occur, but the most common cause is if the voltage being supplied to the dimmer switch is more than the load the switch was designed to control. However, in certain instances, switches may become ineffective even if they haven’t been used for too long. Usually, if the dimmer starts to wear out after being used for an extended time, that is quite normal. Although these devices have come a long way since their invention, and there have been great innovative additions to dimmer switches, they still wear out and have to be replaced after a while. Do Dimmer Switches Wear Out?Īs with almost every other electrical component, dimmer switches are not immune to wear out. However, modern-day dimmer switches are designed to be long-lasting and will surely provide value for money as a general rule. The main factor to how long your dimmer switches will last is how often it is used.Īll these factors, alongside instances such as voltage surges, can impact dimmer switches’ lifespan. However, there isn’t a set time frame for how long dimmer switches will last. Good-quality dimmer switches should last you many years. Low-quality dimmer switches can start to burn out fairly quickly. They are durable, as long as the dimmer itself is of high quality. The good news is that dimmer switches can last quite a long time. When these issues arise, it’s likely time to replace the dimmer. However, as the dimmer ages, you may start to hear a buzzing sound, a reduction in output, flickering, or a dimmer that is hot to touch. Dimmers have built-in electrical components that control the power output required to soften or brighter a light. In addition, these devices are easy to install and extremely easy to maintain, as they do not require any special maintenance.ĭimmer switches can last 15 years or longer. Dimmer Switch Still Not Working? How Long Do Dimmer Switches Last?ĭimmer switches can be a great way to save money and reduce the amount of electrical waste you produce.
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