Switches underrated

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laramie

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Thanks in advance for any suggestions on this one:

I've got a commercial occupancy that has fluorescent cove lighting above a conference table. There's 16 2-lamp (F40 34W lamps)fixtures all together, on what was one 1500W switch, which was carring the load of 1088 watts.

We've installed a rather impressive Lutron Homeworks system as part of a complete automation project, of which every switch has a low-voltage communication line in the front so that it can talk to the main keypad. Anyway- the single pole switch that Lutron makes is only rated for 1000W, and is noteably super hot to the touch. Any suggestions on how to control these 16 fixtures?

Note; the 5 gang box that this switch is in cannot be altered, as in we cant add another box.. and also we can'tuse any other switch than this particular Lutron model..

Thanks!
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
Re: Switches underrated

I'm having trouble with your load calculation on the switch. What is the voltage that your ballasts are operating on? The load on the switch is related to the voltage applied to the ballasts and other factors. It is not determined by simply multiplying the 32 lamps by 34 watts.

For example two T12(34w) Lamps on a Rapid Start High Power Factor Magnatek Ballast would have a line current of .6 amps @120 volts, at 277 volts the line current would be .26 amps. This information is from the Magnetek Universal Ballast catalog. Therefore if you were operating at 277 volts the load on your switch would be only (16)(.26)= 4.16 amps.

[ July 06, 2005, 05:59 PM: Message edited by: infinity ]
 

growler

Senior Member
Location
Atlanta,GA
Re: Switches underrated

If the switch is getting hot, that's not a good sign. If this switch is not a dimmer. Just use a lighting contacter ( relay ). Use the switch to activate the contacter coil. There should be very little current draw and the switch will last.
 
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