Circuit length and dimming performance

[nizak]

I’ve got a job where there will be 4 switches controlling 16 LED wafer style lights, approximately 220 watts total load.

The layout is such that the total length of travelers between all the switch points is about 220 lineal feet. Adding the fixtures from the last 3 way adds another 300’ of cable to the last fixture.

Total length about 500’
The circuit is 15A 14 gauge NM cable

Could I expect an issue with the dimming quality over this distance.

Thanks

 

[Little Bill]

I’ve got a job where there will be 4 switches controlling 16 LED wafer style lights, approximately 220 watts total load.

The layout is such that the total length of travelers between all the switch points is about 220 lineal feet. Adding the fixtures from the last 3 way adds another 300’ of cable to the last fixture.

Total length about 500’
The circuit is 15A 14 gauge NM cable

Could I expect an issue with the dimming quality over this distance.

Thanks

Assuming two 3-way switches, and two 4-way switches, you can only dim from one location. So put the dimmer closest to the lights.

 

[James L]

Use a high-wattage trailing edge dimmer like Lutron Maestro Pro LED+

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Maestro-PRO-LED-Tap-Dimmer-Switch-for-250W-LED-500W-ELV-400W-MLV-Single-Pole-Multi-Location-White-MA-PRO-WH-MA-PRO-WH/329659733

 

[herding_cats]

James L and Little Bill correct. You should have no issues.

 

[AC\DC]

Assuming two 3-way switches, and two 4-way switches, you can only dim from one location. So put the dimmer closest to the lights.

That’s not necessarily true ra3 if it’s still around I I did my house and every location is dimmable

 

[herding_cats]

use only one dimmer

 

[AC\DC]

use only one dimmer

Na use what ever you want— why limit to one

 

[curt swartz]

That’s not necessarily true ra3 if it’s still around I I did my house and every location is dimmable

RA3 isn't that old. We install alot of it.

There is only 1 dimmer in the circuit with multi-location dimmers. The additional controls in the circuit just pass the power through and don't directly do any dimming. They connect to the main dimmer through a control wire so they can tell the main dimmer turn on, turn off, raise light level, lower light level.

 

[winnie]

RA3 isn't that old. We install alot of it.

There is only 1 dimmer in the circuit with multi-location dimmers. The additional controls in the circuit just pass the power through and don't directly do any dimming. They connect to the main dimmer through a control wire so they can tell the main dimmer turn on, turn off, raise light level, lower light level.

If you use the RA3 system, does the power to the load need to pass through the other locations?

Could the _power_ go through the 'master' dimmer to the load, with the other locations just carrying signal?

(Totally unfamiliar with how RA3 works.)

-Jonathan

 

[Little Bill]

That’s not necessarily true ra3 if it’s still around I I did my house and every location is dimmable

That's why I said "Assuming two 3-way switches, and two 4-way switches". OP didn't mention any high end dimmer, or master/slave type.