Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    CLASSIC214's Avatar
    CLASSIC214 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 20, 2009, 08:00 AM
    Light Switch Requirements
    We have been remodling at work and we had an electrician doing some work in the owner's office. There are 15 Halogen lights recessed into the ceiling around his office. Before the remodel, they were on two separate dimming switches but the electrician combined all of the lights onto one switch. Yesterday, we had to replace the switch and I replaced it with a 600 WATT dimmer switch made for halogen bulbs. This morning, the lights started flickering and the switch got real hot and started smoking. What switch if any will be storng enough to handle these lights or should I call the original electrician back out here and make him rewire what he changed in the first place?
    jerro's Avatar
    jerro Posts: 172, Reputation: 5
    Junior Member
    		  
    #2

    May 20, 2009, 08:59 AM

    First you need to add the total wattage of all 15 lights to determine the right size dimmer. Your dimmer wattage can not be smaller then the total light wattage. Most dimmer choices are 600w,1000w,1500,2000w.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    May 20, 2009, 11:44 AM
    The electrician that originally installed the dimmer needs to return and make any necessary corrections, free of charge, under warranty.

    The electrician should bring along, if not already provided, a current Certificate of Insurance. Would be good for you to know he has liability insurance, and good reminder for him that he almost needed to use his insurance.

    May be good to have the local electrical inspector there also.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    May 20, 2009, 05:46 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by tkrussell View Post
    The electrician that originally installed the dimmer needs to return and make any necessary corrections, free of charge, under warranty.

    The electrician should bring along, if not already provided, a current Certificate of Insurance. Would be good for you to know he has liability insurance, and good reminder for him that he almost needed to use his insurance.

    May be good to have the local electrical inspector there also.
    TK, I have to disagree.

    You may have missed this:
    Quote Originally Posted by CLASSIC214 View Post
    Yesterday, we had to replace the switch and I replaced it with a 600 WATT dimmer switch made for halogen bulbs.
    This is not the fault of the electrician. It is the fault of whomever install the 600 watt dimmer on so many lights. In a commercial setting no less.
    Classic, you should thank your lucky stars there was no fire or injury. You should NOT have touched this!
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    May 21, 2009, 01:31 AM
    Your right Stan, I did miss that. Read too fast.

    Retract what I said about your electrician, call in the inspector on yourself.

    And be sure your insurance is up to date.

    Stan is right you should not have touched this.

    Call in your electrician to make the changes you like.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Electrical requirements to install a recessed can light [ 5 Answers ]

I would like to replace an existing celling light with a Non-IC rated recessed can light. My house (built in 1984) is wired with 14/2 gauge w/ground Romex wire. The manufacturer’s instructions (UltiTech) state the following: Warning – Risk of fire. Most dwellilngs bilt before 1985 have their...

How to switch from hanging light switch to wall [ 2 Answers ]

Hi Everyone, I am looking to replace an old light fixture in our kitchen (the kind with the hanging string that you pull to turn on the light) with something that will have a wall switch. Is this do-able at all for a newbie? Or do I need to hire an electrician?

Can a 20 amp light switch replace a 15 amp light switch? [ 1 Answers ]

Can a 20 amp light switch replace a 15 amp light switch?

Change Pilot Light Switch with a Single-way Switch [ 1 Answers ]

It's worth noted that I am a complete novice, so please be patient with me. I want to replace an existing pilot light switch with a single-way lighted switch. The existing setup has four terminals (red wire, black wire, white wire, and ground wire). The red wire goes to the left, the black wire...

Wiring ceiling fan switch and light switch [ 1 Answers ]

I had to replace the flywheel on my Hunter ceiling fan and I had to remove the light kit that was attached. After I installed the flywheel, I forgot to mark the wires for re-connection. This is an older model fan. There are five wires coming from the fan motor--brown, blue, white, black and...

View more questions Search