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Tue, Jan 26, 10 at 14:15
| Have a hanging light in the kitchen which has 8 25W bulbs. It is controlled from two switches at either end of the kitchen. A bulb blew out today which sometimes happens. The problem is that the entire fixture will not turn on from either switch. (one switch is a dimmer and the other is a normal mercury switch.). If one of the switches is blown will this cause the other not to operate? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Yes, with 3 way switches, both need to function to complete the circuit. If your dimmer is as old as the mercury switch, this sounds like a great chance to replace both of them. |
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| Thanks loads for the info. Replaced dimmer switch. Hanging kitchen light now working! (from both switches). |
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| Dimmers are especially sensitive to the current surges that can accompany a 'blowing' light bulb. The most common dimmer size is 600 watts, or 5 amps at 120 volts. Exceeding this number for even a fraction of a 60 Hz cycle can destroy the semiconductor (a Triac) in the dimmer. |
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