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Question

WILL DIMMER SWITCH DAMAGE LED TV ?

Apr 8, 2017 6:49PM PDT

I purchased a Samsung led tv and i have a dimmer switch connected to where the tv us plugged in ( in other words when you lower the dimmer on the switch, it shuts off the power for the tv. ) Apparently i never knew that the switch controlled that outlet

Now here's what happened. I couple of time when i turned off the dimmer switch, i've noticed my led will randomly power off and power on ( did this about 10 times within 15 seconds ) . Luckily i had a surge protector ( a good one) for this

The tv works fine with no problems that i can see but did this shorten the life of it or its nothing too worry about ? Im thinking it may be a spike or surge

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Not supported and my bet, voids the warranty.
Apr 9, 2017 8:59AM PDT

I do not expect a spike or surge issue here. But you can supply odd PWM (see google) line voltage and all bets are off about life span issues. Stop doing this and change the switch.

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Answer
Why?
Apr 9, 2017 5:05PM PDT

Surge protector did nothing useful. Obvious when numbers are first learned. 120 volt surge protector does nothing until voltage well exceeds 330 volts. What does a dimmer switch do? Lower voltage below 120 volts. Protector remains inert.

Demonstrated is how electronics work as voltage drops. It simply keeps working until voltage drops too low. Then powers off. How much damage was created? Complete - when wild speculation created a conclusion. None - as demonstrated.

Dimmer switch does nothing useful. May increase noise. Better is to bypass or replace it with a conventional switch.

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I wish this was true for all gear.
Apr 9, 2017 5:13PM PDT

A switching power supply can behave oddly to destructively if supplied with low or chopped line voltage.

Let me share I am an electronics designer and more. Straying outside the input specs is not a good idea. Low inputs when sustained can cause damage in some systems.

Your gear, treat it as you see fit.

Post was last edited on April 9, 2017 5:14 PM PDT

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I have read your posts before and they are excellent
Apr 10, 2017 10:28AM PDT

Not sure however why you are picking this battle though?

Have you worked with actual HDTVs plugged into somewhat shady apartment or single family home electrical infrastructure? What you do *not* want to do is repeatedly power off an HDTV like that. I assure you, it will be dead sooner rather than later, regardless of what electrical laws exist. Remember, it's almost an overgrow PC now connected to a large (and arguably, somewhat fragile) LED display.

My $.02 anyway.

cheers