Replies

1. 
   DanH | Nov 26, 2009 05:11am | #1

   Kinda sorta normal kinda messed up SNAFU. Your standard cheapie dimmer is good for 600W. A higher powered unit is good for 1000W. If each dimmer is controlling 3 6-bulb fixtures, and the lamps are 60W, that's 1080W, or over the rating of most dimmers. So we need to know the wattage of the lamps.

   Also, virtually all dimmers must be derated if installed adjacent to other dimmers. If these three dimmers are side-by-side AND pulling near their normal rated wattage that's probably a no-no.

   All that said, dimmers, at their rated wattage, do tend to get quite warm -- one might say hot.

   A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter
1. 
   bldrbill | Nov 26, 2009 05:31am | #2

   Thanks Dan--I'll find out the wattage of the bulbs in a few days.  The switches are installed side by side.  I'll check the rating on them also.  They look like normal toggle switches, but have an extra little tab on them to dim the lights.  Bill  

    

2. 
   Sphere | Nov 26, 2009 03:07pm | #3

   Dan, when you agreed to the terms of Posting on BT, you also agreed to not use "Vulger , obscene or insulting" terminology.
   The word you used after 'kinda sorting messed up' is a violation and a willful attempt at getting past a word on the censored list of potty words.Please edit your post or big goon will be sent and you will be forced with a Stanley Fubar and pry the word out of your keyboard.The beatings will continue till the morale improves.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB

    

1. 
   cjeffrey | Nov 26, 2009 05:07pm | #4

   Does he get to keep the Fubar?

2. 
   junkhound | Nov 26, 2009 05:13pm | #6

   wtf?

   Worst Thread Finagle?? 

    

3. 
   bobguindon | Nov 26, 2009 06:42pm | #11

   The word you used after 'kinda sorting messed up' is a violation and a willful attempt at getting past a word on the censored list of potty words.

   I don't know - I think he's probably OK with 'Situation Normal - All Fouled Up'.  I have observed, however, that a certain poster here, whose screen name, in plural, *could* be on the edge...:)

   Bob

1. 
   Piffin | Nov 27, 2009 02:07am | #16

   gee whiz, I never heard such a polite translation of that one before. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   bobguindon | Nov 27, 2009 06:20am | #17

   gee whiz, I never heard such a polite translation of that one before.

   I use the 'lite' version when the customer's on site...:)

3. 
   Henley | Nov 26, 2009 05:10pm | #5

   What is "derated" ?

1. 
   junkhound | Nov 26, 2009 05:16pm | #7

   What is "derated" ?

   Something is 50% derated if the sticker says good for 1000W and you only put a 500W load on it.  Lifetime of the device is lots longer when parts are 'derated'.

   In many military and space applications, 40% derating is mandatory - ony use a 100W 'rated' part at 600W maximum.

   Do your dimmers have heat sink fins on the front?  If not, that is the kind you need.

    

   Edited 11/26/2009 9:18 am ET by junkhound

2. 
   calvin | Nov 26, 2009 05:17pm | #8

   The wattage rating of the switches.

   What happens is you need to cut (break off) a fin extension on the sides of the switch when you gang them.  This is what is used to disapate the heat.  So you lose a little of the heat dissapater/lose some of the max wattage rating.

   You gang three, you need to lose both sides of one of the switches-that one would be rated even lower than the other two.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

    

1. 
   Henley | Nov 26, 2009 05:35pm | #9

   Ah, I get it. Thanks guys. Let me hijack a little as it is very relevant (I think). I just put in a three gang with three digital dimmers.
   all rated 600w. Two carrying 80w apiece and one 150w. The two with 80w are low voltage (the dimmers say they
   are compatible with low v.) and they blink now and again. To hot ? They feel normal(warm but not hot). If so what do you do with three dimmers in a box?

1. 
   BillHartmann | Nov 26, 2009 07:33pm | #12

   " The two with 80w are low voltage (the dimmers say they
   are compatible with low v.) and they blink now and again.To hot ?"Should not be too hot.But the clue is "low voltage".I am not sure what have there are two ways of generating low voltage. One is a magnetic transformer. It will have some heft to it. But at 80 watts, not much.The other is switching power supplies, so called electronic transformers. I know at least one series of dimmers that come in incandescent, magnetic transformer, and electronic transformer flavors..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

2. 
   Henley | Nov 26, 2009 08:46pm | #13

   I'll check it out. thanks.

3. 
   DanH | Nov 26, 2009 06:38pm | #10

   In this case "derated" means being used at less than their nameplate rating. Dimmers might have to be derated by 25% when mounted side-by-side, eg.
   A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

1. 
   Piffin | Nov 27, 2009 02:06am | #15

   Nope - in this case, you have been caught and derated by Sphere before the official mods get ahold of you 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   Scott | Nov 27, 2009 08:14am | #18

   "Berated Derated Dan"...kinda has a cute ring to it. ;)I vote Sphere for mod!...and I'm putting one of those Stanley Fubars on my Xmas wish list.

2. 
   Sphere | Nov 27, 2009 05:12pm | #19

   Do you know what Johnson said about his "Nomination" stance?Just repeat it as if I said it.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

   Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

   PROUD MEMBER OF THE " I ROCKED WITH REZ" CLUB

    

3. 
   Mongo | Nov 27, 2009 07:45pm | #20

   I like peanut butter. But not in a way that cold get me either derated or banned. I just like to eat it. In moderation.

4. 
   Piffin | Nov 27, 2009 02:02am | #14

   D-rated is what the moderators here at BT are trying to do with language used by us construction workers in contrast to the normal R and X ratings 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!