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            DIY Message Boards  Hop To Forum Categories  Home Improvement  Hop To Forums  Electrical    Basement can lights/dimmer switch
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        Basement can lights/dimmer switch
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        samdabutcher
        posted
        I was wondering if this was normal.I have a 20A breaker with 12awg wiring running out to a 1000w dimmer switch and than out to 10 can lights with 65w bulbs.
        Is it normal for the dimmer switch to feel hot to the touch??

        Thanks!

        This message has been edited. Last edited by: samdabutcher,
         
        Posts: 2 | Registered: Oct 21, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        Jaybee
        Picture of Jaybee
        posted Hide Post
        Yes. With a dimmer, you still have the same voltage going to the switch. The typical dimmer uses several resistors or a varistor to cut the voltage back to dim the lights. Resistors generate heat. Even if you were running much less load than the switch is rated for you will still have some heat.

        Now, if you had put a typical 300w dimmer on that line, then you would generate so much heat that you would burn up the switch.

        If the switch is warm, then it's OK. If it's almost too hot to touch, then it's not.


        Jaybee
         
        Posts: 9071 | Location: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Sep 27, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        swschrad
        posted Hide Post
        if it's hot, you may need to switch to dimmable CFL floods that draw 27 watts instead of 65, and this might possibly require a new dimmer as well. a CFL-labelled dimmer will compress the "off" cycle so you have a wider level of control over the lights.

        if you try to dim standard CFLs you will kill 'em.


        sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
         
        Posts: 4700 | Location: North Burbs, MN | Registered: Mar 14, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        JB Builder
        Picture of JB Builder
        posted Hide Post
        Im using 75 watt can-lights with cfl dimmer in my basement design, I haven't purchased the switches yet nor the bulbs but i just found a list while doing research of the best bulbs to be using with such a cfl dimmer switch.
        http://www.lutron.com/Technica...FL_LED_Bulb_list.pdf
        These guys also make the switches but I'm only interested locally.

        This message has been edited. Last edited by: JB Builder,
         
        Posts: 58 | Location: Isanti, MN | Registered: Apr 05, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
        samdabutcher
        posted Hide Post
        Thanks All.Very good info.It looks like i will need to check out what i have and make sure everything is compatible.I didnt realize it made that much of a difference.I appreciate the help
         
        Posts: 2 | Registered: Oct 21, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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