Switch can’t turn off

[ccrosland]

I’m having some issues with the dimmer switches on my job and nobody can figure it out. I’ve talked to multiple journeyman, lighting engineers, and product manufacturers without any answers. I have 12 paddle dimmer switches each controlling a single 2x4 led panel on a 277v circuit. Switches and drivers are rated for 120-277v 0-10 dimming. Every time I install a switch, it reads ~100v from the switch leg to ground when the switch is turned off. It allows the full 277v through when turned on. There is no continuity between the hot and switch leg when I ring it out. If I connect only the hot and ground to a new switch, no dimmers or load, the switch still fails and lets ~100v through. If I replace the dimmer switch with a non dimming toggle switch, it functions correctly. It turns on and off and shorting the dimmer leads dims the lights. Has anyone seen this before?

 

[infinity]

What are you testing it with a DMM? I would bet that if you used a solenoid type tester like a Wiggy you would see that there is no voltage present with the switch off.

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[hbiss]

I have 12 paddle dimmer switches each controlling a single 2x4 led panel on a 277v circuit. Switches and drivers are rated for 120-277v 0-10 dimming. Every time I install a switch, it reads ~100v from the switch leg to ground when the switch is turned off. It allows the full 277v through when turned on.

But the big question is- does the light function properly??

-Hal

 

[ccrosland]

What are you testing it with a DMM? I would bet that if you used a solenoid type tester like a Wiggy you would see that there is no voltage present with the switch off.

Welcome to the Forum.

DMM reads 100v and the wiggy lights up. The light does not turn off.

 

[ccrosland]

But the big question is- does the light function properly??

-Hal

The light functions properly with a normal toggle switch. With the faulty dimmer switches, the light does not turn off.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Are the dimmers specifically rated for use with those LEDs?

 

[ccrosland]

Are the dimmers specifically rated for use with those LEDs?

Yes, I have contacted both the lighting and switch manufacturers to verify.

 

[hbiss]

What happens if you temporarily wire a 60 or 100W incandescent lamp in parallel with the LED fixture?

-Hal

 

[ELA]

Switches and drivers are rated for 120-277v 0-10 dimming.

What have you done with the 0-10V dimming control input? Do the dimmers have a configuration setting to enable/disable the 0-10V dimming function?

 

[hbiss]

Every time I install a switch, it reads ~100v from the switch leg to ground when the switch is turned off.

Not understanding this. Why are you measuring from the switch leg to ground? With the dimmer off what do you measure from the switch leg to neutral? With the dimmer on I assume the fixture lights because you say you get 277. But with the dimmer off does the fixture light or what? All you talk about is the 100V and not the actual problem.

-Hal

 

[Little Bill]

Not understanding this. Why are you measuring from the switch leg to ground? With the dimmer off what do you measure from the switch leg to neutral? With the dimmer on I assume the fixture lights because you say you get 277. But with the dimmer off does the fixture light or what? All you talk about is the 100V and not the actual problem.

-Hal

He said the lights don't turn off.

 

[hbiss]

Ok, I see that, two posts later. Could you post the manufacturer and part number for the dimmer you are using so we can look at the spec sheet.

-Hal

 

[infinity]

As Hal said post the dimmer model number. At 100 volts the lights are still on?

 

[kwired]

I guess posting model like others asked would be helpful. Almost sounds like some sort of solid state control that lets enough bleed through to let the load operate instead of a dry contact device.