Wall Dimmers

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Rodney1287

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I have a bank of five wall dimmers switches with internal switch getting very hot. It was not derated at the outset. Is anyone aware of a design of dimmer switch that does not require derating that can be used to replace these switches?
 
Dimmers tend to get pretty hot when loaded. Is the dimmer overloaded after you take into account the derating for removing the fins?
 
Dimmers

Dimmers

With the application of dimmers, 404.8 (B) always come into consideration, I?ve seen it designed wrong and applied wrong.
 
cadpoint said:
With the application of dimmers, 404.8 (B) always come into consideration, I?ve seen it designed wrong and applied wrong.
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What are you saying is applied incorrectly? That section doesn't apply to dimmers since dimmers are not snap switches.
 
Rodney1287 said:
I have a bank of five wall dimmers switches with internal switch getting very hot. It was not derated at the outset. Is anyone aware of a design of dimmer switch that does not require derating that can be used to replace these switches?
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Lutron dimmers are rated at 100% however as others have said if you group them in the same disco then you need to derate them. You may need to use 1000 watt dimmers as m73214 suggested.

How much wattage is on these dimmers???
 
Perfectly functional device-mounted dimmers do get hot. That's just normal operation. Not so many ways around it. I forget what the design temperature rise it, but it's surprisingly high. Changing 600's out for 1000's will cause them to be 'less hot', but hot just the same. When I'm much over a 500-600 watt load per dimmer, I prefer to opt for heat sink type dimmers, each in their own single gang box and spaced accordingly.
 
Dimmers

Dimmers

infinity said:
What are you saying is applied incorrectly? That section doesn't apply to dimmers since dimmers are not snap switches.
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per NFPA 70 2005, Index, Switches,...
Dimmer, See Dimmers

Dimmers, switch, 404.9(B)-((I said 404.8)),
404.14(e) see also Snap Switches.

Snap Switches, ...
Accessibilty, Grouping 404.8(B)

Let me say, I always think of 404.8(b) anytime a Dimmer is going to be
applied.

Who am I to question anyones application, your right I'm not there, looking at it, maybe even cursing at it, hopefully I'm someone that knows what is right
or wrong about a pre- or post installation. :smile:
 
IMO you can't make a dimmer a snap switch simply because of the way it's referenced in an index. A snap switch is different because is has exposed terminals, dimmers on the other hand have tails that get spliced which IMO removes the requirement of 404.8(B).
 
infinity said:
A snap switch is different because is has exposed terminals, dimmers on the other hand have tails that get spliced which IMO removes the requirement of 404.8(B).
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Many dimmers have terminals and not leads for conections.
 
infinity said:
Come to think of it you're right. But does that make it a snap switch?
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Well... what would you call Lutron's Ariadni dimmer? It looks and acts just like a snap switch, except for the little slide piece on the side. Has terminals just like a regular snap switch.

ariadni.jpg
 
Definitions
Switch, General-Use Snap. A form of general use switch constructued so that it can be installed in device boxes or on box covers, or otherwise used in conjunction with wiring systems recognized by this code
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Rodney,

Bottom line is unless the load is 100 watts or less per dimmer ( normal de-

rate) you might want to cut-in a 2 gang above or below the 5 gang to reduce

the heat, or install lower wattage lamps.
 
dimmer switches

dimmer switches

Rewire the switch bank and separate each dimmer into a 2 gang deep steel box with a 1 gang raised adaptor space the dimmers apart enough so you dont have to remove part of the heat sink to install in ganged boxes. Or split up the load into smaller sections and more dimmers within the wattage tolerances when breaking tabs off.
 
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