anybody have any skill with electrical work?

Question

I had a new dimmer switch put in. Every time I turn on the lights dimmed or on all the way the metal piece that mounts to the wall gets really hot is that normal? if not how do I hook it up correctly of fix the problem? Also I have no switch plate on the wall Because I could not find the new one I bought. Please only respond if you know what your talking about no smart a$$ replys

the dimmer switch controls about 6- 7 lights that are wall mounted

Answer 1

Check the watts of all the bulbs connected to the dimmer. Add them up 7 100 watt bulbs is 700 watts The regular dimmer starts at 600 watts. Then there are strips of aluminum all around the switch (heat sinks) if any of these are broken off ie: both side strips so the switch fits in the box with another or more switches then it is stamped on the switch that allows it to only handle 400 watts (called derating). It is better to buy a 1000w dimmer or even a 1500 w. Better let an electrician (Licensed) do it, Insurance company's frown on non inspected electrical work.

Answer 2

I would first look at; What the total load is connected to the circuit that the dimmer is controlling, add up all of the wattage (means all of the light bulbs, etc) on the circuit and dig out the paper work on the dimmer and see how many watts the dimmer is rated for. the rating should also be be marked on the dimmer. if it is rated in amps just multiply the amps X 120 volt to get watts. make sure you get everything.. make sure a wall outlet is not on that circuit and some device (other than a light bulb) it plugged into it. Bottom line, don't go over the rated load of the dimmer, probably better off not being close to the max. load. also, the dimmers are really only made for incandescent light bulbs. so if there is a florescent fixture on the circuit that may also be the problem .
I would also cover the dimmer with a cover plate.

Answer 3

I'll assume that, like other responders have said, you've checked to make sure you don't have any wiring faults. I actually would not think you would have any, or else you'd most likely be tripping the breaker.

Whenever anything electrical gets hot, your first guess should be excessive current draw. In this case, I would check the wattage rating of the dimmer compared to the tottal wattage of the fixture(s) you're trying to dim. You may be exceeding the specifications of the dimmer.

It is very hazardous to leave any electrical work - plugs, switches, dimmers or anything like that without a cover. It doesn't take something very large to brush against the work, bend it slightly and expose the electrical connections, since they're on the side of the device in virtually every case.

Answer 4

Dimmers usually give off a certain amount of heat. This is normal. If it is getting so hot that you can't touch it then you may have too many lights hooked up to it. Add up the wattage of every light you are controlling. Normal residential dimmers control 1800 watts for a 15 amp dimmer. If your pulling anything over that kiss that dimmer goodbye.

Answer 5

You say it's controlling 6-7 lights which I assume are incandessant (regular) light bulbs. You can easily be pulling 500 watts thru the dimmer switch, which may not be rated for that amount of power. Also, if you're using it with flourescent lamps (tubes) it's hard to say what the effect would be. You need a professional to take a look at the system you have set up, and check ratings, amperage, line voltage and such to best determine the problem. I'm an apprentice electritian, and this is what I'm best at...

Answer 6

Your dimmer switch is defective so replace it right away and do not use the one you put in until then or you will start a fire so shut off the breaker now.
Get a new dimmer attach the black wire (hot) from the switch to the black wire coming out of your box (color could be different i.e. blue, red ect.) next attach the white wire (nuetral) from the switch to the white wire from the box and then make sure and attach the green wire (ground) to the bare copper wire coming out of the box or attach it to a grounding screw that is screwed into your box. You can go to Home Depot's web site (homedepot.com) and they can give you illistrated instructions right there that are very helpful.

Answer 7

The old style dimmer switches got hot because they were simply variable resistors. The newer ones conserve energy and are not suppose to heat up. Each switch has it's own powering rating ... the problem could be that you're trying to control power that's beyond the switch's rating.

Answer 8

You shouldnt be getting heat. Check all of your connections at the switch. My bet is that you are missing or have a bad connection at your ground wire. Also...does this switch only run a single light or multiple lights? If it is a single light, simply check all of your connections (at the light and at the switch. If It is multiple lights on that one switch you could be overloading it....Check to see how many amps/volts the switch is rated for and adjust it to the right amount (replace it). However, if I were a betting man, I would check the ground first. Make sure you have a secure ground wire (the green one). Good Luck....

Answer 9

how "hot" is it getting? warm to the touch? or so hot you cannot touch it? I use dimmers that have a light on them when they are off, they get a little warm, but nothing to worry about. if you feel uncomfortable about it, you could try to replace the dimmer with a different brand.

Answer 10

Make sure that your earth wire is connected correctly, and please find the cover, electricity is dangerous. Also make sure that the live wire is secured correctly and that it's not loose, that can be the cause of the plate getting hot, and yes you can either die or burn your house down if you don't correct the problem.