We've got a $100 track lighting ceiling unit from Home Depot, and it's always hummed. Sometimes the humming has been bearable, and other times (like now) it's pretty loud, especially when we turn the dimmer down. Why does this happen? And more importantly, what can I do about it?
Why do our hallogen track lights hum?
- Thread starter paulpsd7
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Square Eye
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Is this a low voltage halogen fixture or a regular 120 volt fixture?
Better question; what type of bulbs does it use?
A screw in type or a two pin type?
Better question; what type of bulbs does it use?
A screw in type or a two pin type?
petey_racer
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Another even more important additional question is what kind of dimmer is it?
This coupled with "Are the fixtures/lights 120v or 12v?" is a very important combination.
Most low voltage fixtures require a specific dimmer, IE: Electronic or magnetic.
Very few lo-vo fixtures can use a standard incandescent dimmer.
Even if they are all line voltage flood lamps they can still hum or buzz. That is inherent in incandescent lamps when dimmed.
This coupled with "Are the fixtures/lights 120v or 12v?" is a very important combination.
Most low voltage fixtures require a specific dimmer, IE: Electronic or magnetic.
Very few lo-vo fixtures can use a standard incandescent dimmer.
Even if they are all line voltage flood lamps they can still hum or buzz. That is inherent in incandescent lamps when dimmed.
Great questions.
The light fixture is this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0066429873.1153498584@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccefaddighkfehicgelceffdfgidgio.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+4233&pos=n12
Easylite
Chrome Finish Duotrack 5 Light Marte Kit
Model F5MA-05
I'm not sure the voltage of the fixture, but the specs on Home Depot's site says "This kit comes complete with all required mounting hardware and five 20 watt 12 volt MR16 halogen bulbs." Does that answer your question?
As for the dimmer switch, it's a basic Levitron one, probably a standard incandescent one. So are you saying the problem is the dimmer switch, and that there's a specific switch I can get that will work well with the hallogens? If so, that's great news. Can you suggest which dimmer switch?
The light fixture is this one:
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0066429873.1153498584@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccefaddighkfehicgelceffdfgidgio.0&CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=misc/searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+4233&pos=n12
Easylite
Chrome Finish Duotrack 5 Light Marte Kit
Model F5MA-05
I'm not sure the voltage of the fixture, but the specs on Home Depot's site says "This kit comes complete with all required mounting hardware and five 20 watt 12 volt MR16 halogen bulbs." Does that answer your question?
As for the dimmer switch, it's a basic Levitron one, probably a standard incandescent one. So are you saying the problem is the dimmer switch, and that there's a specific switch I can get that will work well with the hallogens? If so, that's great news. Can you suggest which dimmer switch?
petey_racer
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That IS a low voltage system. The transformer is in the large ceiling canopy.
It's not that it is halogen, it's that it is low-voltage.
You need to find out the manufacturer's specified dimmer requirements. It is most likely a magnetic low-voltage dimmer.
It's not that it is halogen, it's that it is low-voltage.
You need to find out the manufacturer's specified dimmer requirements. It is most likely a magnetic low-voltage dimmer.
