# Dimmer switches - buzzing **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400 "2002-03-21T20:43:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/1 "2002-03-21T20:43:07Z")
We have a couple of dimmer switches for 2 of the lights in our home. They make a buzzing sound, is it they are cheap, or do all dimmers buzz? Cant you get quiet ones, or can I quieten them some how? ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/2 "2002-03-21T21:22:42Z")
They are cheap. Try one from Lutron or Lightolier. They will be completely silent, or nearly so. Usually, the noisy ones tend to make a good bit of electrical interference as well. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/3 "2002-03-21T21:28:52Z")
Light dimmers are actually electronic switches that switch on & off to control how the length of time that current will flow through the load. Is the noise a mechanical vibration coming from the dimmer itself? Some of the circuit components could have come loose and are vibrating under the influence of the EMPs being generated by the switching circuit. Is the noise an electrical hum or whine coming from another device (tv, stereo)? This is the result of the radiated EMPs being picked up by nearby electronic devices and amplified. My bass guitar pickups do a wonderful job of this, but then again that’s what they are supposed to do. There is no easy fix. If you like fiddling with things, disconnect the dimmer (observing all safety precautions) and open it (if possible) to see if anything has come loose. Some of the cheaper dimmers have their parts held down with hot glue, which can break free. The easiest solution is to replace the dimmer. As long as you don’t get them at the dollar store, they should be shielded well enough to block any unwanted EMI. Unless you play an electric bass. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/4 "2002-03-21T21:36:46Z")
It is vibration from the dimmer itself. We have two they are both making the noise and have done since we got them 5 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/5 "2002-03-21T21:42:24Z")
Lutron is carried by Home Depot, Lowes, and Bed, Bath and Beyond amonth others. It is worth the extra money. I am sure it will cure the problem. Lightolier is available at electrical supply places. Not the typical retail outlet, but is fantastic stuff as well. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/6 "2002-03-21T21:51:39Z")
Sheesh. Just searched for Lutron dimmer switches online. In UK they cost about £100!!! That’s a tad pricey imho. ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/7 "2002-03-21T21:58:28Z")
That would be their way up the line stuff. Simple dimmers are available in the US from about 10 to 30 dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/8 "2002-03-21T22:06:09Z")
Ah ok. Thanks mate! ---
**Author:** ![scotth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@scotth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scotth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/9 "2002-03-26T19:51:06Z")
NK, did you get your problem fixed? Or are you still living with it? ---
**Author:** ![lucwarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@lucwarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucwarm)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2002, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/10 "2002-03-26T20:00:27Z")
For what it’s worth, I installed Lutron dimmer switches in chez-Lucwarm a couple months ago. They make a (quiet) whining sound. If someone could point me to a totally quiet dimmer switch, I’d be happy. But I imagine that even the best make a little noise, no? ---
**Author:** ![happyheathen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5e925/32.png) [@happyheathen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happyheathen)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2002, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/11 "2002-03-27T00:05:00Z")
I have 4 GE (hate the co., like the dimmers) consumer grade ~$12-15, IIRC. they are silent ---
**Author:** ![bbeaty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c0e974/32.png) [@bbeaty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbeaty)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/12 "2002-03-28T01:11:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*We have a couple of dimmer switches for 2 of the lights in our home. They make a buzzing sound, is it they are cheap, or do all dimmers buzz? Cant you get quiet ones, or can I quieten them some how? \*\* It’s probably the filter coil. The fast electronic switching of the dimmer creats radio interference, so good dimmers always include a coil that stops the high frequencies from getting out into your power cables. But a coil can behave like a little loudspeaker. Most dimmers have a plastic enclosure, so it’s hard to get inside them without destroying them. You could try putting a glob of epoxy on the coil to stop the vibration. Even better, stick a plastic tube in your ear (or a soda straw) and listen to various components in the dimmer while power is on. That way you’ll know just what’s making the buzz (DANGER!! DON’T OPEN UP THE DIMMER IF YOU’RE NOT SKILLED AT WORKING WITH HIGH VOLTAGE CIRCUITRY!!!) ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/13 "2002-03-28T03:52:19Z")
I just wanted to point out this link, where they discuss just that phenomenon: [http://www.act-solutions.com/kingery02.htm](http://www.act-solutions.com/kingery02.htm) ---
**Author:** ![biker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ce7236/32.png) [@biker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biker)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2002, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dimmer-switches-buzzing/99400/14 "2002-03-28T04:21:56Z")
i had a nightmare of a time dialing out on my computer for over three months. the phone company was here four times and couldn’t solve the problem. the problem would always happen late afternoon and beyond. the computer would say it couldn’t find a dial tone and make a sound like bacon frying. turned out the problem was a dimmer switch in my office sending out rfi interference. i had to change the dimmer and got an rfi filter for the phone line. (radio frequency interference)