dimmer switch problem
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 35
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From: southern Illinois
dimmer switch problem
The house that my wife and I purchased last month has a dimmer switch controlling six recessed lights in the living room. When the lights have been on for a period of time the switch and coverplate are hot to the touch. The lights are in the cathedral ceiling and I haven't had a chance to check the wattage of the bulbs. It seems that most of the dimmer switches that home depot sells are rated for 600 watts, so I "expect" that this one is also. So...how should I trouble shoot? Where to start?
Thanks,
Karl
Thanks,
Karl
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,254
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From: Location, Location.
Dimmer switches absorb power, especially when the lights are dimmed. So they will always get warm to some extent. But the heat wears them out, so it's a self-accelerating process - the more it heats, the more it wears out, so the more it heats, so..... until eventually they overheat. Left too long they become hazard. Check the associated wiring for heat damage. You may just have an old tired dimmer that needs replacing.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: southern Illinois
Thanks Fred. I'll check the wiring for heat damage. I'll also check the wattage on the recessed lights and make sure I purchase the correct size dimmer. Never had a dimmer and so no experience.
Thanks again,
Karl
Thanks again,
Karl
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
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From: Mercer County, OH
Dimmer switches don't last very long when they're used at or above their rated capacity. When they overheat they'll emit an pungent smell. If I were you I'd try to find a switch rated higher than what the actual load is.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Get yourself a heavy duty dimmer switch, probably from a speciality lighting store.
They're expensive but worth the extra money.
I wouldn't get those cheapo $5.00 dimmer switches.
A friend of mine (electrician) installed a pair of dimmers, using those cheapo's.
They got pretty hot.
He had to replace them a week later with the heavy duty type.
IMHO, better safe than sorry.
It's your house.
They're expensive but worth the extra money.
I wouldn't get those cheapo $5.00 dimmer switches.
A friend of mine (electrician) installed a pair of dimmers, using those cheapo's.
They got pretty hot.
He had to replace them a week later with the heavy duty type.
IMHO, better safe than sorry.
It's your house.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,321
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From: MI
if you look carefully you can find 1000 watt rated at Home Depot or Lowe's
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: southern Illinois
[QUOTE=Crash687]if you look carefully you can find 1000 watt rated at Home Depot or Lowe's
Great! That should be easy enough to find. Karl
Great! That should be easy enough to find. Karl
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 194
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From: White Lake
A dimmer switch works by clipping the ac sine wave as it passes past 0 volts, in both directions. it's not dimming the light by resistance, but by voltage regulation. I just wanted to mention this because i just recently read that the number 1 electrical fire hazard in the home is a high resistance connection. this is a receptacle or light switch that has either a loose connection or wires butt spliced or wire nutted together poorly.
this causes a LOT of heat in an electrical box.
be safe, no switch or receptacle should be allowed to get more than slightly warm to the touch.
this causes a LOT of heat in an electrical box.
be safe, no switch or receptacle should be allowed to get more than slightly warm to the touch.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
6 x 150 = 900
This is the max you can probably expect in household lights.
900 x 150% = 1350
This is the wattage of the switch you should have as a safety margin (30% of the rated capacity)
FWIW
~Wolf
PS: Ensure that it is seperately breakered - I would.
PPS: Check the bulbs for the rating.
This is the max you can probably expect in household lights.
900 x 150% = 1350
This is the wattage of the switch you should have as a safety margin (30% of the rated capacity)
FWIW
~Wolf
PS: Ensure that it is seperately breakered - I would.
PPS: Check the bulbs for the rating.
Last edited by Greywolf; Jun 17, 2005 at 05:44 PM.
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