[PitCritter]

I just bought anew condo and the wiring in the dining room is a little strange.

In the wall switch box, there is one incoming and two outgoing wires. One of these wires powers half the receptacles in the room, the other one powers the ceiling light and the other two receptacles.

In the ceiling octagon box,there is one wire in (from the wall box) and one wire out (to the receptacles).

The light is currently controlled by a pull-chain.

Is there a remote product available (along the lines of a remote fan control) that will allow me to dim the light without affecting the receptacles?

Thank you.

[hkstroud]

I just bought anew condo

Is it a newly built condo or just new to you?

In the wall switch box, there is one incoming and two outgoing wires

Are these 2 wire cables or is one of them a 3-wire?

In the ceiling octagon box,there is one wire in (from the wall box) and one wire out (to the receptacles).

Same question, are these 2-wire cables or is one a 3-wire cable?

I assume that receptacles do not work with switch off.

The light is currently controlled by a pull-chain.

Seems like a contradiction to have a pull chain and a switch unless someone just installed a light with a pull chain because the liked the fixture.

I agree that wring is strange and although I have not specifically looked for one, you should be able to find a remote control switch.
Post back, possible something wired incorrectly.

[PitCritter]

Harold, I should have mentioned that all wires are 14/2 BX. No red conductors anywhere.

The condo is new to me. It's actually about 16 years old.

[hkstroud]

Very strange wiring indeed. Sounds like some added wiring for outlets and didn't know what they were doing. If cable from switch to light is 2-wire nothing you can do.

Is it conceivable to replace cable from switch with 3-wire cable?

You might be should be able to find a remote switch but don't know about a remote dimmer switch.

[PitCritter]

Thanks Harold,
You've confirmed my suspicions. To save 50 cents, they used 14/2 from the switch box to the light when they should have used 14/3.

I'll look for a remote dimmer, but I don't have a lot of hope.

[Stratmando]

Look here:
Catalog Recievers
Inline receiver Modules, The XPDF allows dimming, then you can add a wall switch, wireless switch, timer, or fob for control.

[PitCritter]

Thanks Stratmando. That looks like exactly what I'm looking for. I've never used X10 before. Will I have any interference isues with WiFi or microwavr oven interference?

[Stratmando]

No, most of the X10 sends signals over the electrical lines, Not RF, they do have some RF X10 stuff as well and should not cause any problems.

[PitCritter]

Thanks Stratmando. I priced out what I think I need. An XPD3 wall dimmer for $14 and an XPDF in-ceiling dimmer for $15. Pretty reasonable price for a solution to an impossible problem.

[Stratmando]

Good deal, Most things can be done with little money in electronics. Big companies can make a Big deal and big money for the same thing or overpriced crap that doesn't work.