We recently installed a dimmer switch on our fan/light combination fixture in our water closet.

When the light is on, there is a quiet "buzzing" sound. It doesn't get any worse or better when the light is at its lowest level for a night light or when it's as bright as possible.

I think I can live with the buzzing for no more than we use the light, but I am wondering if there is a danger in it buzzing or if it can damage our electrical system in some way?

Thanks for any help and information you can give.

 

Hi, what was the switch you replaced, what is the dimmer you installed? The dimmer should not be controlling the fan.
Geo

 

There is a dual switch in the bathroom. We left the switch that controls the fan as an off/on switch. The light is on the dimmer switch.

 

You shouldn’t hear any buzzing have you considered returning it for another one and see if it buzzes? Could be a bad dimmer.
Geo

 

Although you shouldn't be hearing any buzz or him..... it does happen.
Sometimes the hum comes from the actual bulbs and not the dimmer.
It doesn't indicate a defective dimmer.

As Geo mentioned...... exchange the dimmer for another.

 

Let me ask this question: We bought this dimmer switch when we were going to replace the bathroom exhaust fan/light combination fixture. Someone at Home Depot told us what dimmer we'd need to work with the LED light in the fan we were purchasing. (It was one of those new light situations where the bulb is never replaced. When the bulb goes out, the whole fixture must be replaced. I'm skeptical about those, but that's another conversation.)

We ended up not changing out the fan, but just giving the original one a good cleaning and changing out the bulb to the maximum wattage allowed. (My main problem with the fixture was that the light wasn't bright enough.)

Is it possible that the LED compatible dimmer was overkill for the light fixture on our older fan?

Actually, I'd prefer a dimmer like I have in my dining room. You press a knob in, and turn it to make the light brighter or darker.

Thanks for the help.

 

Not overkill..... maybe not needed.
If you put a regular incandescent bulb in the fan then you can use any dimmer.
An incandescent bulb can be used on an LED type dimmer.
An LED bulb should be used with an LED dimmer.