Lights dimming inversly

[mdshunk]

I guess the only solution to this is convince the owner to fur down the ceiling an inch install new boxes and run a new cable straight to the switch box and be done with it. He's got the moolah anyway...

That's ridiculous. Wouldn't you rather find the real problem?

 

[BackInTheHabit]

There's only one circuit with one dimmer and one switch leg leaving the switch box. There is a buried J box somewhere but it is impossible to tell where unless I rip apart plaster.

Try replacing the switch - commercial grade.

How do you know there is a J-box if you can't find it?:-?

Is the ceiling accesible from above via an attic access?

 

[domelectric]

I would love to find the real problem, marc. That's why I came to the professionals. I just dont know what I can do about it. For all I know a rat could have chewed through half the grounded wire or something. I have no accessibility above the ceiling.

 

[mdshunk]

For all I know a rat could have chewed through half the grounded wire or something. .

Maybe, so what testing have you done to rule that in or out? Take the track feed connector apart, take the switch apart, and ring it out. Start with that.

 

[domelectric]

Try replacing the switch - commercial grade.

How do you know there is a J-box if you can't find it?:-?

Is the ceiling accesible from above via an atic access?

There has to be a J box because only one cable is stubbed out at each light. The plywood ceiling has acoustic tile above it and plaster above the tile. All is screwed/nailed to the ceiling structure which does not have any access above it.

 

[mdshunk]

There has to be a J box because only one cable is stubbed out at each light. The plywood ceiling has acoustic tile above it and plaster above the tile. All is screwed/nailed to the ceiling structure which does not have any access above it.

So put a tone on the wire you think is broken, and see where it stops.

 

[domelectric]

Maybe, so what testing have you done to rule that in or out? Take the track feed connector apart, take the switch apart, and ring it out. Start with that.

Yeah, I can try that. Not sure what that's going to tell me since I had checked the voltage at all three lights. My reasoning for running a new circuit lies also in the fact that none of these fixtures have outlet boxes, only old romex stubbed out from the ceiling with no slack. I want to do the job in MC and install metal boxes. Do it right and have no more problems. I still have to tackle the problem on the other side of the restaurant. Same situation.

 

[BackInTheHabit]

There has to be a J box because only one cable is stubbed out at each light. The plywood ceiling has acoustic tile above it and plaster above the tile. All is screwed/nailed to the ceiling structure which does not have any access above it.

That's why they call it Troubleshooting.

 

[whillis]

Sounds to me like one of the lights is in parallel with the dimmer.

 

[ptonsparky]

Sounds to me like one of the lights is in parallel with the dimmer.

Now that is an interesting prospect. Did someone just put new lamps in?

Turn the dimmer until all fixtures are at the same light level. Remove lamps one at a time until you notice a change in the others.

Yup, I would work hard at finding out why first. Hourly job?

 

[Lxnxjxhx]

one of the lights is in parallel

one of the lights is in parallel

I can't imagine what else it could be.
In this case the lamp in parallel would mute the full range of the dimmer. If it was a 100 w bulb and the others were 10 watts, the dimmer may have almost no range at all because the 100 w lamp is stealing all the current.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I guess I am confused by the use of the word track. Are these three separate monopoint track heads or three separate tracks. At first I thought it was one track with 3 heads but I reread the op and it says 3 different switch legs to each fixture.

I am guessing we have 3 monopoints. Is this correct?

 

[Lxnxjxhx]

confused by the use of the word track

confused by the use of the word track

That's why I prefer schematics and math; they are unambiguous and non-redundant; a "perfect" language.

 

[scrooge]

Yeah, I can try that. Not sure what that's going to tell me since I had checked the voltage at all three lights. My reasoning for running a new circuit lies also in the fact that none of these fixtures have outlet boxes, only old romex stubbed out from the ceiling with no slack. I want to do the job in MC and install metal boxes. Do it right and have no more problems. I still have to tackle the problem on the other side of the restaurant. Same situation.

Not for sure the layout of this restaurant. I would check other side also to see if problem connected. Sounds like maybe a gone nuetral between both.

 

[mark32]

Dumb Question

Dumb Question

Maybe because it's late, but I don't understand how a lamp could become parallel with this dimmer. Please explain.

 

[stickboy1375]

Maybe because it's late, but I don't understand how a lamp could become parallel with this dimmer. Please explain.

try drawing it on paper...