TheBasement
Well-known member
Anyone here use dimmer switches for gameroom lighting?
I am asking because my gameroom currently has 600W of lighting on a single switch. No fans, just straight can lights. I have been wanting to put in a dimmer switch for some time, for ambience and to cut down on generated light heat during prolonged game days.
So I bought a 600W dimmer at a hardware store and that sucker got hot. I mean so hot it melted a wire nut after 2 hours. OK, I get it, I was pushing the maximum load. So next thing I did was purchase a Levitron 1000W dimmer. I should be OK now, since I'm pushing 600W on a 1000W switch. I know these things should dissipate more heat when dimming, but I'm testing with the dimmer on full brightness. My kids usually go down there and watch TV and stuff so it will usually be at 100% lighting (I just want the dimming as an option). So even with a higher rated dimmer, this thing still gets hot. If I take off the wall plate and touch the metal tabs, they are hot to the touch. I know they are there to dissipate heat, but really is that the best design they can come up with?
So the question for all you folks out there. Who is using dimmer switches, what loads are you using, and is this just plain normal and will not burn down my house? I'm just needing some reassurance here. I'd really like to keep the dimmer option, but the heat is making me nervous. Thanks for any input.
[FYI: Because my ceiling is finished and the wiring is set in stone, I cannot break this off into 2 switches for a lighter load, that's just not an option]
I am asking because my gameroom currently has 600W of lighting on a single switch. No fans, just straight can lights. I have been wanting to put in a dimmer switch for some time, for ambience and to cut down on generated light heat during prolonged game days.
So I bought a 600W dimmer at a hardware store and that sucker got hot. I mean so hot it melted a wire nut after 2 hours. OK, I get it, I was pushing the maximum load. So next thing I did was purchase a Levitron 1000W dimmer. I should be OK now, since I'm pushing 600W on a 1000W switch. I know these things should dissipate more heat when dimming, but I'm testing with the dimmer on full brightness. My kids usually go down there and watch TV and stuff so it will usually be at 100% lighting (I just want the dimming as an option). So even with a higher rated dimmer, this thing still gets hot. If I take off the wall plate and touch the metal tabs, they are hot to the touch. I know they are there to dissipate heat, but really is that the best design they can come up with?
So the question for all you folks out there. Who is using dimmer switches, what loads are you using, and is this just plain normal and will not burn down my house? I'm just needing some reassurance here. I'd really like to keep the dimmer option, but the heat is making me nervous. Thanks for any input.
[FYI: Because my ceiling is finished and the wiring is set in stone, I cannot break this off into 2 switches for a lighter load, that's just not an option]

