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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home > defestive rheostat?
Expert: Bob Sponaugle - 11/9/2009
Question
Suspended 3 light ceiling fixture suddenly fails to light. When taken down and plugged into wall outlet, fixture lights even when wires tensioned(no inermittent failure of wiring). When wire nutted back to ceiling box, no lighting in any rheostat position in spite of fact that voltmeter shows 120 volts at ceiling box at max rheostat position. However when rheostat slide locked down voltmeter shows 40 VAC(should be zero. Will replacing rheostat fix problem?
Answer
Hi.
Rheostats went out a long time ago, they have been replaced by electronic dimmers. Dimmers can be very temperamental, and many things, including wiring them with the power on will cause them to go bad.
I would get the fixture to work (make sure it is only incandescent with no CFLs) with a cheap toggle switch. Once you do that, then replace it with your dimmer. Make sure it is turned off and the power is off at the box when doing so.
I hope this helps.
Bob
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