Timers

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splinetto

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Can a in digital wall timer, one that just replaces a switch, control a transformer for lighting...For ex Low voltage lighting or step light that are LED?
 
Yepper! The switch (timer) doesn't care what you're doing with the power, as long as the load doesn't exceed the rating of the timer.
 
There's at least one model of timer that is "power stealing" that needs a certain amount of load to function. I can't for the life of me remember which one it is. It's a device mounted type. It doesn't take a neutral, I remember that much, so that might be a clue for someone. 99% of them take a neutral. I got messed up one time trying to use this particular timer to switch some receptacles that didn't have anything plugged into them at the time. Didn't work out, so I had to change to a different model.
 
It just threw me off when I read the paperwork ...it reads something like up to 600W incadescent load ONLY...just wanted to make sure
 
480sparky said:
Kinda like along the lines of an illuminated switch?
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Yup, I guess so.

480sparky said:
It just threw me off when I read the paperwork ...it reads something like up to 600W incadescent load ONLY...
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Well, there you have it then. No need to even ask. If you want to switch a transformer, you'll need to select a different timer. This one only appears to be manufacturer rated for a 600W incandescent load.
 
mdshunk said:
Well, there you have it then. No need to even ask. If you want to switch a transformer, you'll need to select a different timer. This one only appears to be manufacturer rated for a 600W incandescent load.
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Too late I just put it in and left ...
 
mkgrady said:
What is a noodle?
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You hear that slang term from time to time in place of "neutral". I havn't exactly pinned down if it's geographic or not. I hear it from people all over, which makes me wonder if it wasn't used in an electrical textbook at one time.
 
Some timers just use an triac to control the load. This is the same control element as is used in a dimmer, but rather than being used to modulate the output voltage, the triac is used to turn the load on and off. These electronic timers will have limitations similar to dimmers. In particular they are not rated for transformers, nor for florescent lights. Other electronic systems can work fine with these sort of loads, and I don't know the design details that make a difference.

In my own home I had an Intermatic timer that fit into a single device space, which was actually a battery powered mechanical timer. The thing was rated for up to 15A, and could run inductive loads. Unfortunately, making a mechanical timer work with a single AAA battery is not an easy thing to do; mine failed after about 8 month, and an internet search finds that many people have problems with them. One rumor has it that they work well if there is absolutely no mechanical pressure on the back of their housing, meaning that you cannot push wires in with the housing.

-Jon
 
mdshunk said:
There's at least one model of timer that is "power stealing" that needs a certain amount of load to function. I can't for the life of me remember which one it is. It's a device mounted type. It doesn't take a neutral, I remember that much, so that might be a clue for someone.
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You're probably thinking of the old dial type Intermatic timers. They needed to have a load attached to them to work. I remember installing a few of them for a customer only to receive a call that one stopped working a week after it was installed. I found the lamp in the in fixture was burnt out. A new lamp solved the problem.
 
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