Dimming K+T

[Oakey]

I have an older home with knob and tube wiring. Mostly the neutrals are switched for the lighting, is it feasible to install a dimmer on these switches?

 

[iwire]

I have an older home with knob and tube wiring. Mostly the neutrals are switched for the lighting, is it feasible to install a dimmer on these switches?

A typical two wire dimmer will not care if it controls the neutral or the hot.

 

[zdog]

i have ran into this twice.it was'nt k&t but nm where the netural was switched.the dimmers i installed burned up twice.had to change it to switch hots.

 

[SiddMartin]

if a dimmer is limiting the voltage to the light, how could you dim on the neutral which is coming back from the light? maybe someone could explain this to me

 

[walkerj]

if a dimmer is limiting the voltage to the light, how could you dim on the neutral which is coming back from the light? maybe someone could explain this to me

The dimmer is in series with the load so you do the math.
I'm lazy

 

[480sparky]

Dimmers don't work by limiting voltage. They work by 'cutting' portions of the sine wave off.

Normal Sine Wave:

Sine Wave with Dimmer:

 

[SiddMartin]

and i thank you all I'm a little smarter now

 

[Oakey]

First off thank you gents for your answers so far.
I dont want to burn anything up... Are dimmers something that I can install in this house without concern? Please understand this is a 911 widows home, problems are the last thing she needs.

 

[bkludecke]

I don't think that a dimmer is any more dangerous than a regular snap switch. But if she is concerned about safety why not sell her a rewire?

 

[e57]

I do it all the time on incand. , and LV loads that the dimmer doesn't require a neutral connection and a hot.... Works fine - no Fire Dept involvement.... Seems to me that anytime K&T is brought up - ther is an inate fear of it.... Switched neutral - (Original typ. loads) no big deal IMO...