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DIY & Home Improvement

csziggy

(34,189 posts) Mon Apr 27, 2020, 09:47 AM Apr 2020

Electrical question about LED fixtures [View all]

We recently changed out a small lighting fixture in our carport for two "shop" linear LED fixtures. They are VERY bright! The switch controlling them also controls a vintage fixture that takes one standard base bulb (currently a LED "bug" bulb) and an outlet. (Yeah, it not normal to have an outlet on a switch with light fixtures, but that is another story.)

I'm wondering if it is practical to put a dimmer switch on that set of lights. We seldom use the outlet but I am not sure how a dimmer would deal with it when we do.

Is it safe to put a dimmer on a circuit with an outlet?

31 replies

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Electrical question about LED fixtures [View all] csziggy Apr 2020 OP

Not all LED lights are dimmable. I'd check Phoenix61 Apr 2020 #1

+1 that is the correct answer. rampartc Apr 2020 #2

Almost all the fixtures I am purchasing are dimmable csziggy Apr 2020 #8

I think you better read the literature on the lights, I seem to recall that dimmer switches don't .. SWBTATTReg Apr 2020 #3

Oh, well, after checking the literature for the fixtures, they are NOT dimmable csziggy Apr 2020 #9

Do your fixtures have multiple light bulbs each? beastie boy Apr 2020 #12

These are sealed, linear units with integrated LEDs. csziggy Apr 2020 #14

Putting a dimmer switch in a place that controls an outlet most likely violates PoliticAverse Apr 2020 #4

I used to be a licensed electrical inspector and I agree Hokie Apr 2020 #7

Yes, closing off the outlet might have been a possibility csziggy Apr 2020 #16

I would disconnect and blank off the outlet. Turbineguy Apr 2020 #5

Yes, DO check. But LEDs frequently run pulsed anyway. CFLs are not dimmable at all. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #6

We do have some CFL bulbs that are dimmable csziggy Apr 2020 #10

OK I stand corrected. . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2020 #11

I checked and these are the only fixtures I bought that are not dimmable csziggy Apr 2020 #13

not sure what they look like but maybe there is a filtered lens or some type of "shade" Kali Apr 2020 #15

Hmmm, that is a thought csziggy Apr 2020 #17

I'm all about the "ranch-rigging" Kali Apr 2020 #18

LOL! I might have some burlap around here! csziggy Apr 2020 #20

oooh! I bet that does look pretty. Kali Apr 2020 #21

It's really neat looking in my opinion csziggy Apr 2020 #22

clean the old one again? Kali Apr 2020 #23

I know - I don't even use the self cleaning setting on my oven! nt csziggy Apr 2020 #25

because the self-cleaning function doesn't clean up the grease and spills on the top!!! Kali Apr 2020 #26

Sometimes I have so much grease, if I ran self cleaning it would start a house fire csziggy Apr 2020 #27

oh yes, would love to have separate cooking functions. Kali Apr 2020 #28

Separate cooking functions is great csziggy Apr 2020 #29

I have never seen a side opening oven! Kali Apr 2020 #30

I hadn't until I started research ADA information csziggy Apr 2020 #31

An excellent point! Turbineguy Apr 2020 #19

I have a little LED nightlight plugged in next to the sink csziggy Apr 2020 #24