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9/28/2013 6:08:36 AM EDT
Just installed a dimmer switch to run 6 incandescent high hat lights.

The switch is a Lutron C.L. Dimmer.

There is an on/off toggle separate from the dimmer itself.

When I turn the toggle on, there is a half second delay before the lights come on.  Everything seems to work perfectly, but the "timeout" has me puzzled and wondering if this is a problem.

NOTE:  I have the same dimmer switch on another set of lights in the house.  It does not do this.  It powers the lights instantaneously.  That switch is a couple years old, so there may have been an internal design change (?)

NOTE:  The set of lights in question is wired just fine, it had a non-dimming switch installed before, for years, without a hiccup.

Do new dimmer switches do this on purpose or is something wrong?
9/28/2013 6:13:57 AM EDT
[#1]
Perhaps the toggle is for switching between incandescent and CFL or LED operation?
9/28/2013 6:19:11 AM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
Perhaps the toggle is for switching between incandescent and CFL or LED operation?
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No, it's an on / off switch.  But the switch is rated for any bulb, perhaps that does have something to do with it.
9/28/2013 6:27:14 AM EDT
[#3]
It's also getting warm when powered up.  Is that normal?  I never noticed one way or the other with the other switch.
9/28/2013 6:51:44 AM EDT
[#4]
What is the wattage on the dimmer and how many incandescents are on it?
9/28/2013 7:00:34 AM EDT
[#5]
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Quoted:
What is the wattage on the dimmer and how many incandescents are on it?
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Looked up the Lutron CL dimmer. Looks like it's rated for 150W. He mentions in the OP that he has 6 incandescent bulbs. I'm guessing he's overloading it. I would think that there would be some OL protection built in though.
9/28/2013 7:54:43 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:

Looked up the Lutron CL dimmer. Looks like it's rated for 150W. He mentions in the OP that he has 6 incandescent bulbs. I'm guessing he's overloading it. I would think that there would be some OL protection built in though.
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
What is the wattage on the dimmer and how many incandescents are on it?

Looked up the Lutron CL dimmer. Looks like it's rated for 150W. He mentions in the OP that he has 6 incandescent bulbs. I'm guessing he's overloading it. I would think that there would be some OL protection built in though.


Good Question.

Actually, the sticker on the switch itself says it's rated for 150W LED/CFL and 600W incandescent.  

I have 6 x 60W bulbs = 360 Watts so that shouldn't be the problem.
9/28/2013 7:57:18 AM EDT
[#7]


Dimmers always get warm.


9/28/2013 7:57:55 AM EDT
[#8]
I noticed last night while purchasing some, a lot of the dimmers rated for LED and CFL say "Soft Start" somewhere on the package.......so yes that would be normal if this is the case...