Hot Dimmer Switch


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Old 04-14-06, 07:54 PM
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Hot Dimmer Switch

I've got a dimmer switch that gets hot after being on for awile.Is it a loose connection maybe,or what else???
 
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Old 04-14-06, 08:31 PM
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all dimmer will get warm but if near max wattage rating of the dimmer it will get hot.

you may have to take the switch plate cover off and look at the label it will stamp how many watts max genrally 300 or 600 or 1000 watts the 600 watts is most common one it should be not so hot that hurt your skin.

you may have to take a look at the lumiaire to see how many bulb[s] total you have in there if over the limit of dimmer you may have to change with lower wattage bulb or go with larger dimmer that will be not cheap it cost more than 600 watts dimmer will cost.

if need more question feel free to ask us here

by the way if you have dimmer and a switch together in 2 gang box you have to " derated " the dimmer wattage somehow depending on what type of dimmer you have and if you have 2 dimmer it will really affect this


Merci , Marc
 
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Old 04-14-06, 11:25 PM
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> if you have dimmer and a switch together in 2 gang box you have to " derate "
> the dimmer wattage somehow depending on what type of dimmer you have

A snap switch generates no heat, so having a two-gang box surely helps to dissipate heat -- do you agree?
 
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Old 04-15-06, 05:18 AM
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Hot Dimmer Switch

Its for a dining room chandaleir,with lots of small bulbs!
 
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Old 04-15-06, 04:18 PM
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How did you notice that the dimmer switch is getting hot? Could you feel it through the knob?

How many bulbs we talking? What is the combined wattage?
 
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Old 04-15-06, 06:59 PM
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hot dimmer switch

Somebody elses place.Not sure the combined wattage.They said switch plate got hot to touch.Maybe 15 small bulbs I'm guessing.
 
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Old 04-16-06, 09:19 PM
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A snap switch generates no heat, so having a two-gang box surely helps to dissipate heat -- do you agree?

yes it will help to keep it cooler along the way if you have a snap switch and dimmer switch in 2 gang box that will help alot and dont need derated alot but as i say just check the manufacter instuction to be on safe side


Maybe 15 small bulbs I'm guessing.
15 bulbs but How Many WATTS ?? 15 watt or 25 watts or 40 watts

15X15=225 watts
15X25=375 watts
15X40=600 watts
15X60=900 watts

so you get the idea how many bulbs and wattage it do add up fast there

let us know the details here

Merci, Marc
 
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Old 04-16-06, 10:49 PM
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Leviton dimmer derating

> if you have a snap switch and dimmer switch in 2 gang box that will help a lot
> and doesnt need derated a lot, but as I say just check the manufacturer's
> instruction to be on safe side

Leviton instructions:
When ganging dimmers, the side sections of the mounting strap must be removed. Use pliers to carefully bend side sections back and forth until they break off (see Figure 1). The side sections dissipate heat, so removing them requires a derating of the dimmer's capacity (see chart).
(emphasis mine)

There is no mention of derating if the side sections are not removed, and no reason exists to remove them next to a snap switch.
 
 

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