Can someone explain to me

"Funktheduck" (funktheduck) 01/15/2018 at 20:08 • Filed to: Magnets, Electric, I don’t know what’s going on here, puggles

1

11

Why when I turn on the heat in my bathroom my dining room light gets brighter?

Overhead heat/fan combo in the bathroom. Dining room on opposite side of small house (less than 1000 sq ft). Dining room light on dimmer switch.

Shamoononon drives like a farmer > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:16

3

I once watched my ceiling fan come to a complete stop and then start back up going the opposite direction. My kid was sleeping on my bed and saw it too. Scary as f.

WRXforScience > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:20

1

Do the lights only get brighter if they are dimmed, or will they brighten even when all the way on?

Also, does the change in light happen right away or does it take some time?

If the lights brighten immediately, the issue is with your wiring/electrical system. If it takes some time and only happens when the lights are dim, you are probably looking at a physical change in the rheostat (dimmer switch) that’s making the lights brighter.

I’m betting it’s the wiring and the two systems are on parallel circuits, so when the second parallel is on the total resistance decreases allowing the current to increase which makes your lights brighter.

AestheticsInMotion > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:20

4

The pixies in the walls, man.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:24

1

that sounds like some pro wiring. I disconnected my dining room light and it shut off my kitchen. they are both on separate switches.

scoob > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:26

1

The light generates the heat!

Funktheduck > OPPOsaurus WRX 01/15/2018 at 20:36

0

This is a house built in the early 60s and has been a neglected rental for at least a decade. It’s going on the market in the summer. If it’s like all the other houses in the area in similar condition that sold, it’ll get gutted and remodeled and sold for $100k more

facw > scoob 01/15/2018 at 20:37

3

Pictured: Funktheduck’s house:

Funktheduck > WRXforScience 01/15/2018 at 20:38

0

It’s basically immediate. It was about 3/4 power when I noticed so I went and turned the dimmer up all the way and it still got brighter.

WRXforScience > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:44

0

Definitely due to parallel circuits.

Adding parallel paths decreases the overall resistance (like adding lanes on a highway); the equivalent resistance is equal to the inverse of the sum of the reciprocals.

The voltage is constant so decreasing the resistance leads to an increase in current.

tpw_rules > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 20:45

0

From overhearing other conversations, this sounds like a dodgy neutral. If the light and heater are on opposite phases, the heater sucking more current reduces the voltage across it, increasing the voltage on the light. This can be extremely dangerous (fire) if not taken care of.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Funktheduck 01/15/2018 at 21:37

0

Quality wiring