Hi there. My home was built in the 1950s and apparently has a touchplate electrical system. I recently had a light fixture installed and wanted to have a dimmer control it. However, the dimmer that I got didn't work with the system. My electrician wasn't sure if there was a dimmer that would work with a touchplate system. Does anyone know about this topic? Thanks for your help!

There are different versions of what you call a tough plate system. Tell me what you touch to light your lamp, the lamp itself?

Go through this:

Touch-Plate Lighting Inc. ::: DMX, BACnet, Modbus, Latching Relays, MultipWay Switching, Lighting Controls (http://www.touchplate.com/index.php)

Hopefully this helps.

There are different versions of what you call a tough plate system. tell me what you touch to light your lamp, the lamp itself??

Actually, I use "switches" in our house to turn on all lights--they have two square buttons on them--one on top of the other. Push top button to turn on, bottom button to turn off.

Actually, I use "switches" in our house to turn on all lights--they have two square buttons on them--one on top of the other. Push top button to turn on, bottom button to turn off.

Go with what TK gave you, probably better than any link I can give.

Several Manufacturers make this type system(low voltage/small conductor)for control of the Loads. Probem I feel is you are stuck with the Manufacturer, sometimes due to existing conductors, I always felt a Conduit should be in place to allow Standard(switches/dimmers) wiring to be used should you not desire to invest in sometimes very costly Systems.
Looks like they are still in business according to above link, you may want to compare Style and Cost with Other systems, LiteTouch May be an Option.
How Many conductors to Keypad/Switch Locations, and what size wire?
You could actually go to the Control Panel and Jump out say a Bedroom light so it has constant Power, then install a Light/Fan with a remote. Do you have 1 or several modules out, and are they available?
http://www.litetouch.com/content.aspx?pg=2003

In

Al the wax man- Retired 42 year master electrician- Installed and maintained Touch Plate Systems- The only way a dimmer can be installed is to rewire it to line voltage and install the dimmer! Cut in box and rewire! Have fun!