I have a round knob dimmer operating my kitchen recess lights. Push it in to turn on/off, and it rotates to brighten or dim lights. I pushed in, turned the lights off...then a few seconds later, the lights came on by themselves...then there was a buzzing sound coming from the dimmer and then the lights all went off and I can't get it to work at all. Is this a dimmer issue or is there a wiring issue elsewhere? Can I just replace the dimmer and feel safe or is my house going to burn down? Do I have a gremlin?
The Dimmer just committed Hari Kira. If it has worked OK for months then there is most likely no problem with your wiring. Go ahead and replace the Dimmer.
lights don't work, the illuminator is working on the dimmer though, and there is periodic popping and crackling. I suppose it is the dimmer and not one of the light sockets. I hope.
I totally understand why people rent. There's too much s**t going wrong with this d**n house every f*****g day and I can't keep up with it.
How many and what size bulbs do you have in your fixtures? You may need to upgrade to a higher wattage dimmer if this one is close to or exceeding it's rated wattage.
I'd test the dimmer once it's removed. Put it in series with 120v and any incandescent lamp (but it does sound like it's toast).
Before you risk a new dimmer, check that an ordinary switch can make the lights work.
Better yet, substitute a 100w lamp for the switch; you should see some light, either with the substitute lamp or the controlled lamps, but not full brightness with the substitute lamp. If in doubt, check the voltage across the substitute.
With the lamp, you're checking the downstream circuitry without the drama of possibly putting a non-current-limited 120v into a dead short.
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