Dimmer Switch
A switch that varies light brightness by chopping the AC waveform. Modern LED dimming works well only when the dimmer and the bulbs are compatible.
Old incandescent dimmers simply starved the filament. LEDs are electronic and pickier: pair the wrong dimmer with the wrong bulbs and you get flicker, buzz, ghost glow at "off," or a dead-band where nothing changes. The fix is boring compatibility: LED-rated dimmers (look for CL or ELV ratings) matched with dimmable bulbs, ideally from the dimmer's tested list.
Two more practical notes: dimmers have wattage ratings that derate when ganged side by side in one box, and a dimmer that is warm is normal while one that is hot is not. Flickering LEDs on a dimmer are usually a compatibility issue; flickering on a fixed switch is a connection issue, and the difference matters.
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- Receptacle (Outlet) : The device you plug into.
- GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) : The outlet with TEST and RESET buttons.
- NEMA 14-50 : The heavy 240-volt, 50-amp receptacle used for ranges, RV hookups and plug-in EV charging: four slots, rated for the most power a standard residential outlet delivers.
- Dedicated Circuit : A circuit serving exactly one appliance, with its own breaker and nothing else sharing the wire.