RE: Using CBUS Dimmer channel as normal switch

["Neil Ball" <neilball@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

No use for CFLs/fluorescents  or for some other loads such as
discharge
lamps which can pull many times their rated power at startup. The waveform
is still modified by them dimmer even when at 100% which can upset CFLs
causing them to use much more power and run much hotter - leads to
premature
lamp failure or can occasionally cause catastrophic failure ie components
or
the housing can actually melt (saw this on a website recently but cannot
remember site address, sorry). You can also get flashing or strobing of the
lamps as well.



Discharge lamps can also give problems, many pull many times there normal
load on startup which can damage the dimmer - I damaged a 1kW dimmer that
is
normally very robust by running 2 x 70W metal halide floodlights (dimmer in
switched mode). Spoke to the lighting controls manufacturer who confirmed I
could be pulling 8-10 times the load (probably more) briefly at startup.



If you want to switch these loads then best to use a relay, either a relay
module or simply a suitably rated relay to interface between the dimmer
module and the lamp.



Neil B.

_____

From: ukha_d@xxxxxxx [mailto:ukha_d@xxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Raymond Kelly
Sent: 08 October 2007 09:01
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Using CBUS Dimmer channel as normal switch



Can I use a CBUS dimmer channel to do a 'fast ramp' to act as a normal
switch ie I press the CBUS switch and the dimmer channel will ramp
fast enough up to light a normal incandescent/CFL with no ill effects.

Cheers

__._,_._



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