I put up a 100' set of string lights with incandescent bulbs on my patio.

I used a screw-in outlet adapter to plug them into a porch light socket, which connects to a light switch in the house.

I added the wattage of the bulbs and at 11W each, it's 550 watts. Seems like kind of a lot maybe?. The porch light is on a 15A circuit with several other lights and a couple computers on it, but breaker hasn't popped yet.

I thought about swapping the switch controlling the lights with a dimmer, but the ones at lowes are 600W rated. I'm concerned I'm too close to that at 550W, and I understand incandescents also spike when first turned on.

Just need advice regarding whether the dimmer is OK, heat issues, etc. Thanks

 

I think a 600 watt dimmer will work. The initial surge isn't a problem with dimmers because most of them ramp the voltage to the lamps rather than step it to full output right away. That gives the lamp filaments time to heat up without a big current surge.

Lutron (and others) make 1000 watt dimmers (MA1000), but I'd be inclined to try a less expensive 600 watt first and go to the 1000 watt if the 600 watt fails.

 

That's an odd wattage bulb. Almost sounds to large for a string set.

100' long and 50) 11 watt bulbs ?

 

Yeah. The bulbs don't have the wattage printed on them, but they came 25 in a box that says 11W. They look like a smaller ordinary incandescent bulb.

 

11 watts is common group replacement sign lamp. These were commonly used in big marquees. There are LED versions now that use far less power.

 

Standard receptacles by code can not be with dimmer. You would have to use dimable receptacles and change the plugs on the lights to fit a dimmer receptacle. https://lightingcontrolsassociation....le-receptacle/

However problem is the receptacles probably aren't rated for outside use.

 

You're right they do. It's interesting how well they can replicate that vintage feel with LEDs. Unfortunately those are way over my budget.