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From: f@Alliant.COM (Bill Freeman)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: light bulbs buzz when dimmed
Summary: But it's not July 4th yet.
Message-ID: <4613@alliant.Alliant.COM>
Date: 5 Apr 91 20:16:18 GMT
References: <1991Apr2.162037@maximo.enet.dec.com> <13181@ur-cc.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: Alliant Computer Systems, Littleton, MA
Lines: 27

In article <13181@ur-cc.UUCP>, fval_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Trey Valenta)
	writes:
> 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.

This might, indeed solve your problem.  Before the capacitor explodes (yes it
will) it might manage to take out the dimmer.  Then you could replace the
dimmer with a switch, and problem solved.

IN ALL SERIOUSNESS DO NOT DO THIS.

Other netters are correct that the useful ways to get rid of the buzz are
special bulbs, a variable DC supply, or a variable autotransformer (Variac).
If the light is too bright and the dimmer noise bothers you, try a lower
wattage bulb.  ;-)

	-Bill
-- 
-- 
...!{decvax!linus,mit-eddie}!alliant!f		Bill Freeman	KE1G
alliant!f@eddie.mit.edu	    PP-ASMEL-IA(SE)	Turbo Arrow N4365Z