rako dimmer causing power socket to buzz when microwave on?

[owain_thomas]

We are just going through a bit of a revamp of our house and seem to have come upon a bit of a weird problem, when the kitchen lights (12v halogen DLs) are dimmed (using a rako in-ceiling dimmer) the socket that the microwave is plugged into buzzes quite noticeably, but only if the microwave is on.

I've had rako kit for a couple of years now and not had any issues like this, any ideas why it may be happening?

[vex]

That is 'buzz'ar (excuse the pun)

I have copied this to someone to see if he has any idea.

HTH

V.

[owain_thomas]

thanks vex, look forward to hearing any suggestions

[pwafer]

Hi,

Could you confirm the 'buzz' is coming from the socket the microwave is plugged into, as this does seem really quite bizare. There is nothing inside a socket (or plug) that should buzz, the only thing that could make a noise is if a terminal is loosly clamped onto a wire.

Regards

Paul

[owain_thomas]

hi Paul,

thanks for the response, I was a bit surprised as well, at first I thought it must be the microwave itself but on closer inspection it's definitely the socket.

[hornydragon]

OWain where are the lights in the kitchen wired from? Are they on a lighting circuit? Which Rako unit controls them?

[owain_thomas]

hi HD,

the kitchen lights are wired on a lighting circuit AFAIK, the electrician who did the work has not been around for a couple of days so I haven't been able to check with him but the plan was always for the new build part to all be on its own circuits. the lights are controlled with a standard 500W in ceiling dimmer.