Multiple chandeliers on one dimmer switch?

[Psyclist]

This is not a job I have any intention of tackling personally so no need to get up in arms about what I should or shouldn't be doing, but my boss has asked me to come up with a solution and I'm fed up with waiting for contractors to come out (not that I blame them, but my boss' slow paying of invoices hasn't exactly left my local contractors with a sense of urgency), then waiting some more for their quotations, etc etc... but I want to know whether I need to look further into this and eventually get onto my sparkies or I can just shoot my boss' latest bright idea (no pun intended) down and get on with some important jobs.

What I need to know is whether or not we could control 7 chandeliers from one dimmer switch? Each chandelier holds 50 bulbs. I currently have 7w CFLs in them, but he has been sent an e-mail with a special offer for bulk purchases of dimmable LED bulbs.

I have attached a photo of the grid switches from which the dome lights and chandeliers are all individually controlled, and while I realise you can get grid dimmer switches, it would look a bit naff if we had a room full of people and each chandelier was dimmed one at a time.

Anyway, I'm sure you all understand and know what I'm looking for and hopefully you can let me know if I'm wasting my time or not.

Untitled

• Psyclist
• 25 Jul 2013
• 1

Appreciate your help in advance!

Kristian

 

[bernardgreen]

It would not be a good idea to put all the chandeliers one dimmer. One failled dimmer and none of the chandeliers can be used.

There are voltage controlled dimmers which are controlled by a single control voltage. Several of these can be controlled by one master voltage source ( most common control voltage is 0 to 10 volts DC ).

Whether there is a grid module dimmer of this type I do not know.

There are also dimmers controlled by a 4 -20 milli-amp control current. The number of these dimmers that can be controlled from a common controller is limited and may be too few for your application.

If there is a local theatre have a word with the lighing engineer there for local sources of suitable dimmers.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Bernard beat me to it.

 

[mfarrow]

Depending on how each chandelier is wired, I would also ensure that you speak to the chandelier manufacturers before you commit to a choice of lamp, as many do not recommend more than a few LEDs off each dimmer.

 

[securespark]

RF: Where are you????!!!

 

[riveralt]

What I need to know is whether or not we could control 7 chandeliers from one dimmer switch? Each chandelier holds 50 bulbs. I currently have 7w CFLs in them, but he has been sent an e-mail with a special offer for bulk purchases of dimmable LED bulbs.

Most domestic dimmers are limited by either the (min or max) total wattage of the lamps and/or in the case of LED's the number of lamps.
Best I have seen is 10 max - so your 350 is way beyond what is available.

You only real option is to go down the commercial route and speak to the people here for example:
http://www.modelighting.com/index3.asp?id=491&section=Commercial

There are others in this field.