[Misc] Determine the wattage of a dimmer switch

[Bozza]

A light we want to buy requires a 600w dimmer. A lower-powered switch may result in bulbs blowing and buzzing from the light.

We already have a dimmer switch in situ which came with the house. How do I find out the wattage of it (without killing myself)?

 

[AmexRuislip]

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/Wattage calculation.pdf
http://www.structuretech1.com/2012/05/hot-dimmer-switches/

 

[glasfryn]

A light we want to buy requires a 600w dimmer. A lower-powered switch may result in bulbs blowing and buzzing from the light.

We already have a dimmer switch in situ which came with the house. How do I find out the wattage of it (without killing myself)?

gently ease it off the wall without disconnecting the wireuse a torch or other
light to see the back
hey presto

 

[Bozza]

There's no obvious way to get it off the wall.

 

[Tony Towner's Fridge]

gently ease it off the wall without disconnecting the wireuse a torch or other
light to see the back
hey presto

Turn the mains power off first ...

 

[surrey jim]

There's no obvious way to get it off the wall.

View attachment 71294

Knock a hole through the other side of wall. Problem solved

 

[Soulman]

There's no obvious way to get it off the wall.

View attachment 71294

Looks like the front plate is just clipped/snapped on....ease it off with a small screwdriver, there should be two 3.5mm screws holding the switch onto the back plate, remove and gently pull the switch away from the wall.....and the wattage should be written on the back of the switch.

 

[glasfryn]

Looks like the front plate is just clipped/snapped on....ease it off with a small screwdriver, there should be two 3.5mm screws holding the switch onto the back plate, remove and gently pull the switch away from the wall.....and the wattage should be written on the back of the switch.

precisely

 

[Adsgull]

Those are normally 250w per channel if it is the lightwave switch.

 

[Bozza]

Those are normally 250w per channel if it is the lightwave switch.

Having just searched for lightwave, it looks like it.

250w. Bollocks.

Can it be replaced with a dual 600w of the same physical size?

 

[happypig]

Having just searched for lightwave, it looks like it.

250w. Bollocks.

Can it be replaced with a dual 600w of the same physical size?

Depends what else is on the same circuit and what your breaker is rated at.

What is the load you're going to connect to it ?

EDIT: as you're not replacing like for like, I'd suggest getting a qualified electrician to check it for you

 

[Soulman]

Depends what else is on the same circuit and what your breaker is rated at.

What is the load you're going to connect to it ?

EDIT: as you're not replacing like for like, I'd suggest getting a qualified electrician to check it for you

I would not think there is any worry with overloading the extra 350w will only make a difference of an extra 1.5A maximum. As the switch looks fairly modern i would presume that there are a couple of lighting circuits and plenty of room to add lights etc.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

A light we want to buy requires a 600w dimmer. A lower-powered switch may result in bulbs blowing and buzzing from the light.

We already have a dimmer switch in situ which came with the house. How do I find out the wattage of it (without killing myself)?

It may be cheaper to move

 

[Bozza]

Determined getting in a sparks would be wise.

The other switch has wall lights - 6*28w.

Silly question, possibly: could we put 14*18w in the proposed new light to get it closer to 250w than the proposed 14*40w?

 

[Soulman]

It may be cheaper to move

I did say 1.5A, this was over the top as i did not take into account the diversity factor, so it would not be near this figure.

 

[SIMMO SAYS]

diversity factor

Are they the blokes that dance about a bit



BTW I'm a plumber so haven't a clue about Bozza's problem

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Depends what else is on the same circuit and what your breaker is rated at.

What is the load you're going to connect to it ?

EDIT: as you're not replacing like for like, I'd suggest getting a qualified electrician to check it for you

Ask a qualified tradesman? Or ask NSC?

What a ridiculous pair of options.

 

[Soulman]

Determined getting in a sparks would be wise.

The other switch has wall lights - 6*28w.

Silly question, possibly: could we put 14*18w in the proposed new light to get it closer to 250w than the proposed 14*40w?

By putting 14 x 18w in, i think you would find that the dimming effect would be poor. It would probably either be full up or virtually off, with no real dimming effect in between.
I would be tempted to keep the switch (it looks nice) and swop the guts from a 250w to 600w. Keep the 14 x 40w and have it dimmed down to accommodate the wattage that the 6 wall lights will draw.....bearing in mind it wil lbe over 600w with all full on at the same time. If you just use a combination of wall lights off and 14 lights on, or other scenarios, then you should be fine. Unless you want airplanes landing in your back garden.

 

[Soulman]

Ask a qualified tradesman? Or ask NSC?

What a ridiculous pair of options.

Hopefully i qualify on both counts LB.

 

[Soulman]

Are they the blokes that dance about a bit



BTW I'm a plumber so haven't a clue about Bozza's problem

I have found you a nice work shirt. Plumbers Crack.