Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!gatech!udel!rochester!uhura.cc.rochester.edu!fval_ltd From: fval_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Trey Valenta) Newsgroups: sci.electronics Subject: Re: light bulbs buzz when dimmed Message-ID: <13181@ur-cc.UUCP> Date: 4 Apr 91 17:39:54 GMT References: <1991Apr2.162037@maximo.enet.dec.com> <1991Apr3.223655.18202@cbnewse.att.com> <7893@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> Distribution: na Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York Lines: 21 I've been dealing with the same problem recently.... the person who lived in my dorm room before me had installed a touch sensitive dimmer which buzzes like crazy from the waveform. One thing I've thought of would be to place a cap across the bulb. Any thoughts on it's effectiveness? The only problem is finding one of the right size. I eventually came across a 4 micro-F 150V cap, non-polarized electrolitic, but I think that the voltage is too small. I also found a 1MF @200V, a nicer voltage, seeing as the peak should be around 155V. The only problem is, what do I need the cap to do. Seems I could cancel the bulb's reactance, but is there any? Is it essentially a resistor? Would the cap smooth the waveform enough to reduce (but not remove) the buzzing? thanks trey -- Trey Valenta | It's 3am; do you know where your Mac is? fval_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu | CPU Box 272253 (716-274-4233) | Corollary: Rochester, NY 14627 | It's 3am; do you know where you are?