Failure of dimmer switch

I have installed a number of Levitron dimmer switches - the type with the on/off switch at the bottom, underneeth a vertical sliding switch that controls the brightness. In one location, the brightness control has failed for the second time, leading me to think there may be a problem with the circuit.
The on/off switch continued to work but when "on," the lights remained at full brightness regardless of the position of the slider that is supposed to control brightness. Could anyone help - why would the dimmer function stop working while the off/on switch continues to work? Thanks.

 

What is the rating of the dimmer? How many watts of lights are you dimming? Is it regular incandescent lighting?

 

Joed - Dimmer rating is 500 watts. This switch controls three halogen recessed lights, 45 watts each or a total of only 135 watts. This is part of a 15 amp general lighting circuit with 8 or 9 other light fixtures (incandescent and halogen) controlled by other switches. The circuit is not overloaded as total wattage is around 1000. Any ideas?
Thanks.

 

I'm not sure that halogen lights should be dimmed.

 

Do the halogens go through a low voltage transformer? Like typical under-cabinet lighting? If so, the transformer must be rated for a standard dimmer or it will not work and probably ruin the transformer.

 

Thanks for the replies. This is going in an interesting direction....
It never occurred to me that halogen lighting should not be dimmed and I would like to know if others think this may be a problem. I have 18-20 Halo recessed lighting fixtures in my house controlled by five or six dimmer switches. Have had these for five years or longer and have not had any problems except with the one switch described in my initial post. The lighting fixtures require "mini-flood" or "mini-spot" bulbs. They don't have to be halogen but this is what I chose to use. The bulbs are 45 watts and do not go through a low voltage transformer. Any other comments? Thanks.

 

A google search with "dimming halogen lights" reveals several manufacturers that say it's okay to use standard dimmers on 120V halogens. That's likely not the problem.

Is there anything else on the dimmer circuit other than just the halogens and regular lights?

 

I see no problem dimimng a 120 volt halogen lights. They are a type of incandescent lamp. It's the 12 volt version you need to be wary of because of the transformer not the bulbs.

 

The dimmer could be 'fried' if it has subjected to a surge of some kind. I fried mine when I didn't turn off the breaker while replacing a ceiling fixture. The switch was turned on when I wasn't right there and the ceiling wires were too close together and they shorted. Since then the dimmer hasn't worked. I tried an older rotary style dimmer and it works fine.

Try another dimmer in the same spot.......ya never know!

 

All of my halogens (120v) are on dimmers

 

Evey time my kitchen light blows one of it's 6 bulbs the dimmer stops working. It is rated for 500w and only uses 360w. I have tried different types of dimmers and now wonder if there is a "hardy version" for this location? I would pay a bit more for a sturdier dimmer but all I can see when purchasing them is the wattage figure. Who would have thought that dimmers are so sensitive.

 

I have heard that the surge a regular incandescent lamp produces when it burns out is enough to fry the circuitry in modern electronic dimmer switches. I have two burned out dimmers in my house to prove it. Both turn on to their maximim brightness when you switch them on, but neither will dim. The only thing I can identify as a cause is that both fixtures these dimmers control have had lightbulbs burn out.

The only solution I have found is to replace the faulty dimmer switch.

 

hmmm.....well if the light stays on bright no mater the position of the slider and this did previously work, than you have a shorted triac (this is what is doign the dimming in the leviton dimmer) they are not resetable and must be replaced.

was this working? or did it do this during installation. If it was like this from the begining and you wired this with teh power on, then most likely, there was some arching and that was enough to kill the dimmer.

It is fine to dim halogen with a standard dimmer provided

1) the fixtuer does not already have an integrated dimmer
2) the lamps are rated at 120V and not 12V. As long as there is no transformer you are fine.

Jefgep - try a higher wattage dimmer . One made for 1000W and you should be fine. Otherwise, contact the manufacturer and have them replace it under warranty at their expense

actually the opposite is true. the dimmer must be rated for use with a transformer. Since no manufacturer of dimmers has a line voltage dimmer (120v) that is UL listed to be used on a tansformer of any type (magnetic or electronic) you must use an appropriate low voltage dimmer. but you are correct, you the worng combo will more than likely ruin the transformer.