Low energy light bulbs...

[BigEv]

Hi, can someone please tell me why low energy light bulbs cannot be used in conjunction with Dimmer or Electronic switches?.

[WendyS]

No, sorry I don't know the answer to that one, but they can definitely be used in conjunction with on automatic timer switches, so if you're looking to save electricity maybe one answer is to use some table lamps connected to timers.

[qapmoc]

Because they are actually small fluorescent light tubes bent around in a small space, they have electronic driving circuits which run at very high frequencies. The electronics would be upset by the ''chopping'' effect which a dimmer causes on the power supply to the lamp.

[kempie]

...this is true of most Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) however the newest generation being produced are "dimmable" using an ordinary dimmer.

[Postdog]

"dimmable"

Top word, let's hope it gets common use!

[Lonnie]

With ref to the above answers, I put one in my daughters room, with a dimmer, not knowing that you shouldn't, and the light kept flikkering, so had to change back to a normal one, at least now I know why. Well done for asking this question.

[BigEv]

Cheer's all, thanks for your imput.

[alan30]

Some are dimmable; see bottom item

http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/products/general_purpose/energy_saving.htm