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From: charless@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Charles R. Sullivan)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: light bulbs buzz when dimmed
Summary: changing bulbs may help
Message-ID: <12730@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU>
Date: 13 Apr 91 03:31:59 GMT
References: <9142@rsiatl.Dixie.Com>
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Reply-To: charless@cory.Berkeley.EDU
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>>> an annoying buzz when dimed.  Is there a better circuit for dimming
>>> the bulbs that will prevent that !@#$%^&*&^%$# buzz?

In addition to all the great suggestions other folks have given, 
you can try either a different manufacturers bulb, or a slightly different
wattage.  There are lots of different geometries used, and there is an
amazing difference in amount of buzz.  Unfortunately there's no simple pattern
of what buzzes and what doesn't.  Supposedly even the same manufacturer
and wattage may be different according to which plant it was made in.

If you've got a closet full of spare bulbs, try them all to find the best one.
Or play 'musical ightbulbs,' switching them out of all your lamps.

Charlie Sullivan               charless@cory.berkeley.edu