Problems with dimmer switch

BandE

I have a pain in the butt dimmer question. I recently bought a house and want to upgrade the lights. I bought a replacement Leviton dimmer to replace and old dial style dimmer (probably installed when the house was built in 84). It is a three way switch with 2 flood lights for a basement. I successfully replaced the dimmer however;
When I dim the lights to the lowest levels, one of the lights blinked so i replaced the bulb with a new Philips dimmer bulb (compact florescent) 20w 120 v as the blinking bulb was not dimmer rated.
Now when I dim the lights there is a loud buzzing noise.
I don't understand what could now be wrong. Other than I should be using incandescent bulbs?

jbfan

Was the dimmer rated for CFL's?

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BandE

The salesperson indicated that the dimmer switch would work fine as the bulbs are CFLs and designed to replace incandescent bulbs. However it is stamped on the dimmer incandescent only.

BandE

Went and got a CFL dimmer, the bulb still buzzes when dimmed....

joecaption

Did the light bulbs also say dimmable?

frenchelectrican

What the model number of that dimmer switch is ??

And what ya did with the other three way switch left it alone or what ?

Merci,
Marc

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The answer will be based on NEC ( National Electrical code ) or CEC ( Cananda Electrical code ) or ECF ( Electrique Code France )

BandE

Joecaptian,
Yes it is a CFL dimmable bulb which is buzzing. It gets louder as the lights are dimmed. If I swap out the buzzing bulb put a non-dimmable light bulb in the socket it stops buzzing (but doesn't dim well). I'm thinking I've got a bad dimming bulb.

FrenchElectrician
The CFL dimmer switch I installed was a Lutron Diva, I had replaced the other 3 way switch that controls the same lights with a standard 3 way on/off switch.

Oso954

Lutron publishes a list of bulbs that they have tested for compatibility.

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocum..._Bulb_list.pdf

They only suggest bulbs that have been tested and deemed compatible. If your bulb is not on the list and/or one on the list is buzzing, you can contact Lutron Technical Support 24/7 at 800-523-9466 .