Actually, you are all wrong.
A dimmer switch does not work by varying the voltage. (TRUST ME, I have been zapped changing a fixture on a dimmer switch when the light looked like it was off. (It really wasn't off, just turned down so low, the bulb wasn't glowing.))
Dimmer switches work by turning the power on and off really quickly. As you know, AC power in North America operates at 60 hertz (or cycles per second). A dimmer switch works by turning the light on for a variable duration during each cycle.
Dimmers are very very efficient with perhaps a 1% loss only in efficiency.
So to answer your question, yes, dimmers use less power.
But the voltage remains constant at 120 Volts.
Don't believe me, turn the dimmer knob right down till the light bulb isn't even glowing. Put the black wire in your left hand and the white wire in your right hand.
The shock you get will be the same as if it were turned right up.
cheers
Last edited by james t kirk; 06-14-2004 at 07:17 PM..
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