Before you start investigating your dimmer switch or any other electrics in your home you should remember that electricity is dangerous. Approximately 55 people died from electrical issues with over 1,000 hospitalized every year.

That’s why the best approach is to call a qualified, insured, and reputable Sydney electrician to resolve the issue for you.

However, if you do feel the need to look further into the issue yourself, you should always turn the power off first.

How Hot?

It is important to note that dimmer switches get warm. They are taking a current and reducing it, effectively lowering the feed to your light and reducing its ability to emit light. This means the switch is constantly working and gets warm.

But, if it gets hot, you may have an issue.

Overload

The most common issue causing a hot dimmer switch is that it is overloaded. All dimmer switches are rated, it will be written inside the box. In general, this rating is 600 watts although the rate is dropped when the dimmer switch is next to another switch. This is because there is less opportunity for the heat from the dimmer slip to escape.

If your lightbulbs are pulling more power than the dimmer switch is designed for it is overloaded. This will cause it to get hot and could start a fire.

Check the number of lights on your dimmer circuit and the size of their bulbs. For example, if there are twelve 60 watt downlighters you are pulling 720 watts and overloading your dimmer switch.

You’ll need to replace the dimmer switch with a higher wattage one or separate the lights onto different circuits. It is also possible to change the bulbs. Energy-efficient ones will require fewer watts or you could drop the twelve downlighters to 50 watts which only requires 600 watts of power. That’s the top end of what the dimmer switch can handle.

Bad Wiring

The other main reason for an issue with your dimmer switch is bad wiring. The wiring in the switch should complete a circuit. There is a power to the lighting circuit and a return to the fuse. If this connection is damaged or has become loose in the switch, you may have a short-circuit.

You’ll hear a buzzing from the switch, may see a spark when turning it on and off, and the lights will flicker. That’s alongside the switch getting hot.

This problem will need to be resolved as quickly as possible as it is likely to cause a fire.

Final Thoughts

If you have any issues with your dimmer switch it is best to contact your electrician and get them to identify the issue. You can then rectify it together and enjoy the ambient lighting that your dimmer switch provides.

Of course, at the same time, they will check all your electrics for you, giving you peace of mind. It is hard to put a price on that!