"Not compatible with dimmer switch"

last year

Hi,

I'm considering a pendant, and the product information says this:

"Construction

Expertly crafted of iron and brass with an Antique Brass finish.
Not compatible with dimmer switch.
Conforms to UL standards - Suitable for use in indoor areas that are typically dry or may experience temporary dampness.
Light bulb(s) are not included.
Accommodates four 40W Type B incandescent bulbs or LED equivalent. Base Type E12."

Can someone explain to me why the incompatibility would rest with the light fixture, rather than with the bulb? My electrician a while back said that the incompatibility (except with bathroom fanlight with motors, etc.) was with the bulb, not the fixture itself. But that was several years ago.

Is this a hard no if I want to use a dimmer, or is this boilerplate lawyer language because they didn't pay to have it specifically tested for dimmer compatibility?

Featured Answer

PRO

Norwood Architects

last year

Form what I am reading it is the bulb the controls whether or not a fixture is dimmable. You can always call the fixture manufacturer and check with them.

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Comments (10)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
last year
It’s bulb and dimmer compatibility you have to worry about. The light fixture itself is a pretty way to hide wires and sockets.
bjstem thanked HALLETT & Co.
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO the bulb is the part that has to compatible with the dimmer .
bjstem thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
chispa
last year
Is the pendant a plug-in fixture versus a normal wired-in fixture?
bjstem thanked chispa
bjstem
Original Author
last year
Thank you, chispa, Patricia, Hallett and Norwood Architects.

It is supposed to be a wired-in fixture, according to the labelling it is supposed to be installed by an electrician, and it doesn't mention that "plug and play" thing that some say they have.

It isn't LED or anything; bulbs don't come with it and it says to use Type B incandescent, whatever that means.

Maybe it's just something the lawyers wanted for some reason. I can't figure it out.
wdccruise
last year
Just buy one of these sets of 40-watt equivalent, dimmable, LED candelabra bulbs:
B10 is the bulb shape, E12 is the bulb base. This bulb is BA10 (note the difference between it and B10).

The dimmer must be LED-compatible e.g., Lutron LED+ dimmer.
pima74
last year
" Conforms to UL standards" Is this made in Asia somewhere? Conforms doesn't mean it is UL approved.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
The fixture can use 2 different types of bulbs - incandescent or LED. A B base is a candelabra base for incandescent bulbs. The note about the dimmer is due to the bulbs. If you use regular incandescent bulbs, then you can use a regular dimmer. If you decide to go with the LED bulbs, then you need to read the package of the bulbs to see if it is dimmable ( they will usually mention what kind of dimmer ) .

The fixture company notes this to cover their a$$.
wdccruise
last year
Debbi Washburn: "The fixture can use 2 different types of bulbs - incandescent or LED."

Except for specialty bulbs, nearly all incandescent bulbs have been removed from the market due to efficiency rules. Home Depot, for example, has only two E12 incandescent bulbs.

"A B base is a candelabra base for incandescent bulbs."

No, the base shape is independent of the bulb type. There are both incandescent and LED bulbs with the B10 base.
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
So sorry - you are right - I mixed up bases with bulb shape!
- "Accommodates four 40W Type B incandescent bulbs or LED equivalent. Base Type E12."
Incandescent are still sold even with the move to LEDS.

I know the incandescent bulbs can go on a dimmer. LEDs would state it in the package.

Thanks @wdccruise for straightening out my lame brain!