Will ALC Dimmer make low voltage lights buzz?

[devsd2]

I am going to install low voltage lighting in my new construction home. I read that ALC dimmers will work with low voltage lighting but I have been told that some dimmers will cause buzzing in low voltage lights. Do the ALC work well with low voltage or can I expect some buzzing?

 

[jlehnert]

I haven't worked with ALC, but given other experiences, I'll say "maybe".

It depends somewhat on the quality of the LV lighting, and pure blind luck. The cheaper the units, the more likely you will get a buzz. I had an install with a top of the line (non-HA) dimmer and a rather expensive LV setup where a single fixture buzzed like all get out. I was really pulling my hair out as several other cheaper LV setups were working fine. Then the guys installing the granite counter-top managed to smash the fixture (along with the cabinet and a sink). Replaced just the fixture, and viola, no buzz. One of the few times I was GLAD that a screw-up happened.

 

[devsd2]

Sounds like I'll have to keep a close eye on my granite crew when the time comes.

After further reading there seems to be dimmers specifically made for 120V lighting, dimmers made for low voltage electronic transformers, and dimmers made for low voltage magnetic transformers. The ALC dimmers say they are compatible with magnetic low voltage lights which are the type I will be buying, so hopefully the buzzing won't be an issue. But I'd sure like to hear from someone that is using the ALC units with low voltage magnetic transformer lighting.

 

[dutchyn]

Since the choice of LV lighting impacts buzzing, perhaps you could tell us which LV lighting you've selected. I'll go first: we're almost decided on environmentallights.com -- they have a nifty linear dimming transformers for 24V LED lighting.

Chris D.

 

[devsd2]

We are having a lighting designer do our lighting plan. He prefers the smaller 3" and 4" cans with low voltage 50w halogen lights. After seeing some demonstration rooms that were set up like rooms in a home with all the different types of light bulbs available for recessed lighting we sold on the halogens. We will use either Halo or Nora cans which I think all have magnetic transformers.