Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

[paradigm26]

Has there been any notice about not being able to utilize touch-sensative dimmer switches with AFCI breakers? I believe the dimmers in questions are phase-controled, but I can't seem to get them to work at all. The dimmer shows as getting power and they breakers are not nuisance tripping. The can lights (4 @ 100w each) are not on at all. What's the deal here?

 

[nvcape]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

Have you tried a standard breaker and not had problems? I have several calls into Siemens concerning tripping and have not had a returned call. Square D said their unit is wired like a GFCI breaker and has mechanical contacts, so it should not cause a problem.

 

[jgetty]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

Well, you stated you have 4 can lights each at 100w. Correct? Are you using standard 6" cans? You could have too large of a bulb and that in return is creating enough heat to make the thermal protection engage.

 

[hurk27]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

Try by passing the dimmers if the lights work then there has to be something the dimmers not being able to handle the 400 watts. Also check the allowed wattage of the can's as most won't allow a 100 watt lamp and will cycle on thermal temp. Also many 8" cans will handle a 120 watt flood but not a 100 watt A-3 lamp ( standard lamp) as the reflector in the flood reflects more heat out of the can.

 

[luke warmwater]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

If you have tried everything else and determined that it is indeed the dimmer(s);

the dimmers may utilize the ground for leakage current to pass FCC requirements.

 

[harley]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

UL standard must work with 1000 watts on dimmer. was 800 watts. some dimmers with phase control have very sharp rise times make sinewave look like arc. Tests are done with incandescent. only certain settings on dimmer with load may trip AFCIs

 

[lp2000c]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

Originally posted by harley:
UL standard must work with 1000 watts on dimmer. was 800 watts. some dimmers with phase control have very sharp rise times make sinewave look like arc. Tests are done with incandescent. only certain settings on dimmer with load may trip AFCIs

Do I understand you to be saying that UL1699 requires that AFCI not trip with 1000W dimmed load, but is permitted to trip with larger dimmed load (even if less than circuit breaker rating)?

Is this same for 15 amp and 20 amp AFCI?

Is this for "branch/feeder" type AFCI? How about other types?

 

[curt swartz]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

If the breakers are not tripping then they are not your problem. AFCI breakers don?t change the wave form of the A/C.

 

[infinity]

Re: Siemens AFCI & Touch Dimmers

100 watt A-3 lamp ( standard lamp)

Just for the record a standard A lamp would be an A-19. Or an A-21 in the slightly larger, longer neck version.