Light switch loads

[Akshay]

Hi, I have double switch currently controlling 2 sets of lights - one switch controls one light and the other controls two lights. I'm replacing these with 3 lots of 4-way spotlight plates which will have 4 50W GU10 bulbs.

What I need to know is do normal light switches have a load rating because, effectively I will be having 400W of light on 1 switch and 200W on the other. I wanted a dimmer version but couldn't find a double 400W dimmer switch.

Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnD]

Ordinary light switches are usually rated at 10Amps. It should be marked on the back (probably moulded into the plastic).

 

[RF Lighting]

2 gang 400W dimmer

 

[securespark]

Won't you have to derate?

 

[RF Lighting]

The varilite IQ dimmers I linked to are already derated for mains halogen and ELV lighting.

 

[Steve]

Maximum load must be reduced by 25% for mains voltage halogen & candle bulbs

 

[Akshay]

Thanks guys - I think I'll use a simple 2 gang switch then as I can't find a suitable dimmer.

 

[sparky40]

Didn't RF tell you what you needed to know ? ( there was even a pic, addy and price !)





Maybe grid switches would enable you to do it ???

 

[Akshay]

Yeah I saw that dimmer but I prefer the push type with on/off knob, plus that one was rated at exactly 400W. My understanding was that you need to allow a 25% safety margin, and I haven't yet found a double dimmer over 400W per gang.

 

[Steve]

Yeah I saw that dimmer but I prefer the push type with on/off knob, plus that one was rated at exactly 400W. My understanding was that you need to allow a 25% safety margin, and I haven't yet found a double dimmer over 400W per gang.

I think there are technical reasons they dont make them - heat being the primary concern. MK gridswitch dimmers at 400w are 2 modules wide.

 

[securespark]

As long as you have nice deep boxes (for air circulation) you can have large dimmers adjacent (so says Varilight...). How about 2x 1kW dimmer in a dual box?