track light dimmers


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Old 07-08-14, 03:25 PM
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track light dimmers

Question?? can you put 4 track lights with 4 50 watt halogens on 1 dimmer switch? my issue is I bought a 600 watt dimmer switch installed it, and it works, but the aluminum plate around the switch gets pretty hot to the touch. It doesn't throw a breaker, the wires are not hot, just the aluminum plating. I then went and bought a 1000 watt dimmer switch, installed it and the same thing happened, it still got hot so I took 4 bulbs out of one track light to reduce the watage again but it still getting hot. Any ideas??
 
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Old 07-08-14, 03:36 PM
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Dimmers DO get hot. As long as the total load in watts does not exceed the dimmer's rating you should be okay. This is assuming that you do not remove any of the "fins" from the dimmer nor have multiple dimmers in a multi-gang box.
 
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Old 07-08-14, 07:21 PM
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You have 800W of load. Make sure your dimmer can handle 800W.
 
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Old 07-09-14, 07:12 AM
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can you put 4 track lights with 4 50 watt halogens on 1 dimmer switch?
Is this 4 lighting tracks each with 4 - 50 watt heads (800 watts) or is it 4 - 50 watt heads total (200 watts)?
 
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Old 07-09-14, 07:27 AM
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Its a 4 bulb track light with 4- 50 watt bulbs but I have 4 sets on one switch for a total of 800 watts...
 
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Old 07-09-14, 07:33 AM
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Joe it is a total of 800 watts... and my dimmer is rated for 1000.....so you think I will b OK??
 
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Old 07-09-14, 07:51 AM
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Joe it is a total of 800 watts... and my dimmer is rated for 1000.....so you think I will b OK??
Yes, as long as you follow Furd's advice.

Furd


Dimmers DO get hot. As long as the total load in watts does not exceed the dimmer's rating you should be okay. This is assuming that you do not remove any of the "fins" from the dimmer nor have multiple dimmers in a multi-gang box.
 
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Old 07-10-14, 02:25 PM
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Thanks for ur help...I'll give it a try..is there anything I should be cautious about?
 
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Old 07-10-14, 07:05 PM
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Thanks for ur help...I'll give it a try..is there anything I should be cautious about?
Yes, if you snap off any of the cooling fins the wattage rating of the dimmer must be derated so don't snap any off. If you have to so it will fit, check the manufacturer's instruction sheet for derating.
 
 

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