Electrical – Are there energy saving lamps which work with touch/electronic dimmers, timers, etc.

electricallighting

Dimmable energy saving bulbs are usually labeled as "Use only with standard dimmers. Not to be used with touch dimmers, electronic dimmers, timers, …" After reading https://diy.stackexchange.com/a/7931/4390, I also understand why that is.

The problem: I'm living in a rented apartment with the following circuitry: To dim one lamp, I can use a push-button on one side of the room, and a touch sensor button on the other side (push and hold to dim up and down). Both are used to dim the same lamp (similar to a changeover switch). I'd like to keep this setup (and probably wouldn't be allowed to replace it anyway).

But when I install an energy saving bulb, it flashes brightly at about 5 or 10 Hz, when the dimmer is at OFF (probably due to the leakage current of the touch sensor).

Since filament lamps won't be available in the EU for very long anymore (and my new light fixture can't even be used with filament or halogen lamps anymore due to low heat resistance), I don't really know what to do.

  • Are there energy saving lamps which work with touch/electronic dimmers, timers, etc.?
  • Or are there suitable dimmers which allow me to control dimming from two locations in the room?

Best Answer

I had the same issue when outfitting two homes with Insteon dimmers (which support both multi-location control and full home automation with an optional computer link) over the past 6 years. For CFL bulbs, it comes down to the design of the ballast. I used a combination of forum research and experimentation to find no-flicker bulbs, and have the following recommendations (in order of availability & price):

  1. TCP SpringLamp series
  2. Overdrive Lighting dimmable spiral
  3. EarthTronics / EarthBulb
  4. Dimmable CCFLs from LiteTronics or TCP (no high-lumen models)

All of them work wonderfully for me with a wide range of dimming and no flicker. One caveat: very low dim levels cause an audible whine on some of the bulbs, particularly the TCP models.

I've read about positive results with LED lamps as well, but the price isn't right (for me) yet.