Switch With CFLs and LEDs
The old dimmer switches in your home were made to work with incandescent bulbs. But there are switches that will work with the new styles of light bulb
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a3886/how-to-use-a-dimmer-switch-with-cfls-and-leds-15882096/
I installed compact-fluorescent and LED bulbs throughout my house. They work well everywhere but not with dimmer switches. The bulbs either dim insufficiently, flicker, or they don't light at all. It's driving me crazy. How do I correct this?
The complex circuitry in these new bulbs makes them difficult to dim. In many cases, a typical dimmer switch (now called a legacy dimmer in the electrical industry) won't work properly, if at all, with CFL or LED bulbs.
Legacy dimmers were designed to work with incandescents, and CFL and LED bulbs bear no electrical resemblance to these types of bulbs. Comparing them is like equating an electric heating element and a television set. Both use electricity and both give off light, but that's where the similarity ends.
The solution is to buy a dimmer switch rated for both CFL and LED bulbs. Two reputable manufacturers of CFL/LED dimmers are Leviton and Lutron; both provide lists of bulbs they've verified will work with their dimmers. Next, buy dimmable CFL and LED bulbs that you know will function with your switch. Though these bulbs may also work with the older legacy dimmers, it's likely you'll experience some of the problems you mentioned. It's worth noting that in 2011 the National Electrical Code was changed specifically to require a neutral wire at all switch locations. But don't worryyou can install most new switches in an older house so long as you carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have any questions about whether a specific switch is compatible with your wiring or a specific bulb or light fixture, contact the manufacturer's technical service department
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