Light Dimmer ?????

[edlentz]

I just installed a new 3 way dimmer and it works great. The question is: if the lights are at 50% do I use 50% less energy? My wattage is at full power 450 watts. Given that the dimmer gets warm (just) does that mean that the power used is the same?

Just wondering

[Chris75]

Lights Dimmed...Saves Electricity.....Makes incandescent bulbs last longer
10%..................10%........................2 times longer
25%..................20%........................4 times longer
50%..................40%........................20 times longer
75%..................60%........................> 20 times longer

[jadnashua]

With most modern dimmers, the act of reducing the voltage to the lights isn't perfect, but as shown in the previous post, it's fairly linear...you do lose some in the process you'll notice as heat.

[edlentz]

I am glad to see that table. I wasn't sure if the heat was the rest of the power disipated. Thanks alot for the replies