Dimmer overloaded - any suggestions?

Duffledorf

We have just installed two new ceiling lights with 12 bulbs each. It appears that this is too much wattage for the dimmer switch to handle as it keeps tripping to full power after a few minutes. Are there high capacity dimmer switches available or does have anyone have a work around?

thanks
Duff

RF Lighting · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:38 pm Post Subject:

What wattage and type are the lamps?

Are both fittings on the same switch (24 lamps on one switch)?

__________________
I

downlights

Duffledorf · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:54 pm Post Subject:

Afraid so

We currently have 12 x 60w bulbs in each and they are all on one circuit controlled by three switches around the room, one being a dimmer. They are standard ceiling lights.

I have just been looking at bulbs, the take the small screw candle bulbs, the smallest I have found is 25w each or a total load of 600W, could I get a dimmer that would handle that?

thanks
Duff

breezer · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:58 pm Post Subject:

you can, also why not not screw in some of the lamps, seems pointless buying a light with so many lamps and then dimming it

__________________
Do you like music Mr Finch?
Forum = Opinions

Duffledorf · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:03 pm Post Subject:

thanks Breezer, but you could say that about any dimmer, just get a lower wattage bulb.

the main reason is that it is a very big room with a high ceiling and needed big lights. I hadn't really thought through the load issue.

Why do some dimmers show va rather than watts

I have come across a 1000 watt dimmer, but it is 1 gang 2 way and I need 2 gang 2 way!

Thanks
Duff

breezer · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:21 pm Post Subject:

i doubt you will get what you want in 2 gang, a bit og heat needs to be dissipated

__________________
Do you like music Mr Finch?
Forum = Opinions

nozspark · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:34 pm Post Subject:

How's about using a 2 gang grid set up with remote dimmer packs. rexel senate do one at 1000W / 700Va ---- although the book price is almost £60 each + VAT

Duffledorf · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:22 pm Post Subject:

Hi nozspark

That sounds interesting, could you give me some more details, or point me to the right place, rexel senate's website seems out of action at the moment.

thanks
Duff

Spark123 · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:24 pm Post Subject:

http://www.rexelsenate.co.uk/

Duffledorf · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:31 pm Post Subject:

Thanks Spark123, but the lighting section isn't working!

breezer · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:41 pm Post Subject:

it is now

__________________
Do you like music Mr Finch?
Forum = Opinions

Duffledorf · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:50 pm Post Subject:

Hi Breezer

I still can't get in, am I in the right place, I am clicking on products and then lighting, but just get a page of html code. Can you give me a link within the lighting section to see if I can access that?

Duff

breezer · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:04 am Post Subject:

lighting on that site starts at http://www.rexelsenate.co.uk/stratus

is an image from the page

__________________
Do you like music Mr Finch?
Forum = Opinions

davelx · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:43 am Post Subject:

Duffledorf wrote:

Hi Breezer

I still can't get in, am I in the right place, I am clicking on products and then lighting, but just get a page of html code. Can you give me a link within the lighting section to see if I can access that?

Duff

Are you using Firefox? The page does not work in firefox for me, but it's ok in IE. - but I can't find any dimmers on the site.

nozspark · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:29 am Post Subject:

Just had a look at the senate web site..it's out of date.

I've scanned some bit out of the catalogue for you

No home page yet though!!!
____________________________
lynda, moderator

edited to show pictures