Does such a beast exist: a two gang dimmer switch with one powering up to
400W (preferably a little over since I'm planning 8x50W LV halogens) and the other powering up to 220W (I'm planning 11x20W LV halogens). I'd quite like one of those touch-type dimmers, but won't be too fussy if it's a push-type ! I think I only need one-way (I'm a little naive here though -- I'm assuming I only need one-way when each switch is only powering a single lighting circuit).Many thanks!
Mike
You cannot normally run a LV lighting cicuit from a dimmer.
You didn't used to be able to, normally. A lot of LV transformers and dimmers are now rated for dimming transformers because of the popularity in recent years. Check the transformers to see if they are dimmable and check the dimmer to see if it is rated for dimming LV transformers.
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
Glancing at the TLC cat., you might be lucky to find exactly what you want
- 2 x 300 seems to be the most you can get if they are to be used for low voltage lamps. 400 watt single gang is available, though
However, I think that the 300 and 400 watt types are the same - they simply derate them to 300 watts when there are two on one plate because of heat. So you might get away with running one over its 'limit' if the other one is lightly loaded. The way out would be to use grid switch dimmers - where you assemble your own choice, but they are frighteningly expensive - about 70 quid for what you want.
You can as long as you choose the right types of dimmer and voltage conversion. A lot of the so called "electronic transformers", in reality switched mode power supplies, can be controlled by a suitable dimmer.
.andy
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You can get these in MK's Grid range. They make a 400W and a 250W version (K4500 series). These are push on and push off and are also soft start which does seem to help bulb life as well as the eyes if you switch them on in the dark.,
Look at
I have never found a two gang dimmer that will fit a single plate switch size - the largest seems to be 2x300W. It's a matter of getting the heat away.
The 400W version of the Grid system dimmer has a larger case and takes two module widths so the two dimmers would take a three module box. You could go for a larger one if you wanted to have more circuits controlled. For example, I have an 8 way one in my kitchen for the various lights in there and the conservatory. The advantage of this system is the modularity.
For fitting, you would need
mounting frame
.andy
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Sorry to interrupt, but do you mean never found a 2 gang dimmer above
300W to fit a single mounting box?SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
All the TLC two gang dimmers seem to be 400 watt each - but not for LV use. The LV ones are 300 2 gang, 400 single.
I've got an old MK Superswitch somewhere that was 1000w in a one gang size, but again for GLS only. I'm surprised there's not a difference between plastic and metal plate ones these days - there used to be.
For example, 400 + 300 or even 400+250 in a single mounting box width.
I checked a few suppliers and can't find anything with a total of
.
.andy
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Ah, I see, that would be because of the heat then. That's why you're not meant to put too many together over a certain rating.
SJW A.C.S. Ltd.
Thanks everyone for your help. It seems as though such an arrangement is difficult to achieve without using the grid system. However, with a bit of searching I have found the following at
"Remote and Touch Control Dimmer 400w 2 gang. £37.50 A revolutionary new range of touch control dimmer switches. Can be used with Low Voltage Halogen and GZ/GU10 Mains Halogen. A touch sensitive button in the centre of the plate and a tiny lens in the centre of the button designed so as to not spoil the overall look of the product. You can dim the lights using touch control or using a remote control. They have a soft start to extend lamp life and overload protection with automatic reset. In learning mode, it can be taught any button of most existing infra-red remote controllers. Full instructions with diagrams are included with the dimmer. 2 *400w. "
I queried this with them, and they confirmed that it's "400w on each gang. i.e. 800w".
What do you think?
Another question following up on what someone else said, would you need a "two-way" dimmer switch for an arrangement where you have another (standard on/off) switch at the other end of the room? The above dimmer switch doesn't specifiy one or two way. Thanks.
Mike
Yes. I have several and a three gang 400W dimmer. Made by Heritage.
Nine are. Dimmable electronic transfomers.
This post is better suited as a follow-up to my previous follow-up to the above, but my previous follow-up has not yet appeared. I hope this doesn't cause too much unecessary / duplicate posting.
I have had further clarification from buy-electrical: The dimmer switch I found is "Maximum of 300w per gang when switching halogen using electronic dimmable transformers". So it looks very much like MK grid is the only way to go to get 400W / 220W.
Unless I just put in two completely separate single gang dimmer switches side-by-side (perhaps only marginally less wall space than the three-module width required for MK grid?) -- is this completely unconventional / daft?
I also checked about one-way / two-way for the buy-electrical switch, and got the following reply: "Dimming is two way, but you must have one master and one slave dimmer is circuit, not light switch".
Cheers, Mike
You could do that. The only issue is the aesthetics.
A 3 module grid plate is the same size as a 4 module - 86mm x 146mm
1 and 2 module plates are 86mm square, the same as a regular plate switch.You would have to carefully measure to position the boxes, but you could butt two plates together - total width 172mm.
.andy
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Two one gang will take up slightly more space than one three/four gang, as well as not looking so good, IMHO. You could get a two gang blank plate of the same pattern as your existing fittings, and mount two single gang 400 watt dimmers on that - all that's needed to fix them to it usually is a suitable hole.
It depends on the type. Some dimmers have a two way switch, and can be used with a second switch *only*. Of course, then the lights can only be switched on or off at the switch end at the level the dimmer is left at. IIRC, all dimmers with a push on/off switch are two way. Rotary on/off aren't.
There are, of course, specialised dimmers that allow full control from more than one place.
Andy, thanks this is very useful stuff. I also notice on tlc's website that MK do "Grid Dimmers for Low Voltage Lighting", with sliding control. Why are the ones you have pointed to not stated as being "dimmers for LV lighting"? You say they are suitable for LV lighting, which is good, but I'm curious as to why there is a specific grid range for LV lighting in the sliding type. Presumably the ones you have pointed to are suitable for LV lighting at their specified loading (i.e. the 400W dimmer will power 400W of LV lighting, not down-rated to something smaller as I have learned happens with certain dimmers powering LV lighting)?
[rest of helpful post cut for brevity]Thanks. Mike
Is that 400W on each gang, or 400W total?
Mike
I've not looked at the website, but the cat. lists separate MK types for ordinary and LV. They have the same TLC part numbers but with an LV suffix.
These are a generic part and not made by MK.
They make only the round knob type. These are suitable for mains and LV as long as a suitable transformer is used.
I've just been looking at this again, and dug out the notes that I wrote when I installed my own, following studying the GridPlus datasheet and a call to MK's technical department.
The modules are rated OK, the issue is getting the heat away.
I reviewed how I did my layout and why. The top row has one 400W dimmer for some mains halogens and some standard switches. The bottom row has 250W dimmers, but they are each connected to no more than four 20W LV lamps per dimmer.
Overall, the lights being dimmed work out to just under the 600W plate rating.
So.... realistically, it looks like you will be back to two separate plates as the most practical solution.
.andy
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