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Technical
information
Wiring accessories
Dimmer switches
General Information:
When specifying dimmers it is advisable to obtain as much information as possible to ensure suitability and compatibility of products.
Consider the following:
n
Type of lamps/lighting
n
Type of control gear used in the light fittings, (if applicable) e.g. type. make and model number of transformer or ballast, etc
n
Number of light fittings/load of each dimmer
n
Number of circuits/dimmers
n
Number of dimmers on each plate
n
Number of switching positions for each circuit
n
Any requirement for dimming lights from more than one position
1 gang plate size
Dimmer
modules
Max.each
dimmer
Min.each
dimmer
Total per
plate
1
250W
60W
250W
1
400W
60W
400W
1 (Electronic)
300VA
60VA
350VA
2
250W
60W
500W
2 (Electronic)
200VA
60VA
400VA
Maximum load of 400W for the plate should not be exceeded.
Dimmer
modules
Max.each
dimmer
Min.each
dimmer
Total per
plate
1
1000W
100W
1000W
3
250W
60W
750W
4
250W
60W
1000W
Maximum load of 1000W for the plate should not be exceeded.
Schneider Electric mains dimmers are NOT designed for dimming with any form of Low Voltage transformer. For this application a suitably
rated Low Voltage Dimmer Switch should be used.
Dimmer guidelines
Moulded plate mounted dimmers can generally be used with the supplied pattress to replace standard wall switches (where a 16mm box depth is
typically used). For flat plate mounted dimmers, 25mm boxes are required, except for the 1000W Electronic dimmer that requires a 47mm box. All
rotary dimmer terminations and wiring are the same as for standard switches, i.e. COM, L2 (and also L1 for two-way dimmers). Rotary one-way
dimmers can only be used for switching and dimming from one position. Rotary two-way (push) dimmers can be used to replace any one, (but not
both), of the two-way switch circuit, (note that only one dimmer can be used per switch circuit or lamp(s); thus the lights can be switched from more
than one position but can only be dimmed from one. With any rotary dimmer, if replacing an existing switch or dimmer, make a careful note of which
wires are installed in which terminals on the old unit, and then connect them into the terminals with corresponding markings on the new dimmer. To
ensure that plate temperatures are within maximum limits, maximum total connected load for a single size plate is 630W, and for a double size plate
is 1000W. For Low Voltage lighting, remember to allow for transformer losses when calculating the total circuit load, typically 15% - 20%.
To use electronic dimmers in 1, 2 or more way circuits the circuit diagrams below and the Important Notes MUST be followed exactly.
Simulated ‘Off - Click’
Recent developments within the industry have resulted in rotary dimmer modules not having the positive ‘Off Click’ as the dimmer is switched off.
This has led to consumers returning product identifying they are not functioning. To counter this Schneider Electric have a ‘simulated Off’. The range
has been designed to withstand a higher inrush current than others in the market. This inrush is typical when lamps turn on for the lamps ‘blow’.
Typically this inrush or energy surge can be up to 100 times the normal current being supplied to a lamp. For example the inrush for a 150W lamp
could be up to 40NS over 10 milliseconds. A number of dimmer products in the market when tested have a maximum capacity of approximately
20NS. The Schneider Electric product has an equivalent capacity of SONS. This, therefore means that the Schneider Electric product will last longer
within installations, depending on the switching duty. A thermal fuse protects the Schneider Electric module. This will not protect the unit against an
inrush but against overloads and short-circuits etc. This fuse is not self restoring or replaceable. It’s function is to protect against electrical and fire
damage. This requirement was not mandatory in the previous standard and therefore some modules in circulation potentially do not have the safety
feature, unlike ours.
Tungsten/Mains Voltage Tungsten Halogen Lighting
Most Tungsten lamps can be dimmed; these include standard GLS lamps, candle lamps, reflector and mains voltage Tungsten Halogen
lamps etc. Tungsten lamps of mains voltage halogen type (GZ10, GU10 or G9) can be dimmed using standard Tungsten dimmers. However, to
protect the dimmer, it is important to de-rate the dimmers maximum rating by 50%, (e.g. for dimmer rated as SOW- 400W, it’s Tungsten Halogen
lamp rating becomes SOW- 200W). This de-rating requirement only applies to Plate and Grid dimmers rated up to 1500W, for other dimmers,
observe individual product guidelines. While observing maximum dimmer ratings, also ensure that the connected load is not less than the minimum
rating of each dimmer, otherwise the lamps may flicker and the dimmer may fail.
Maximum permitted loads in Watts for multiple dimmers in a single enclosure
Front plate gang size
2
3
4
6
8
9
12
18
24
Per row (max rating W)
400
480
480
480
480
480
480
480
480
Total plate
(max rating W)
400
480
480
740
740
940
940
1440
1800