Lighting: Double Dimmer/Switch Wall Plate

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › Lighting: Double Dimmer/Switch Wall Plate

Oubadah

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Ultimate Geek

# 77260 13-Feb-2011 15:49

I have two main overhead lights in my theatre, each individually switched. I want to add discrete brightness controls, without having to install a second flush box/wall plate. That is, I need 2x dimmer knob and 2x switch all on one plate.

So far I've managed to concoct a prototype device from a quad switch Elto plate, removing two switches and fitting two dimmer units from Arlec plates. This looks OK from the front, but it's quite crowded behind, and won't fit into any flush box. Those are also questionable brands.

Does anyone know of a quality pre-constructed double dimmer/switch unit, because I can't seem to find one anywhere.

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Uber Geek

# 438893 13-Feb-2011 17:12

PDL 600 series will easily get 2 x dimmers and 2 x switches on the one plate. They supply smaller knobs so the dimmers can go side by side.

mentalinc

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# 438922 13-Feb-2011 18:44

Agreed I have the 600 series at home and fits the 2 dimmers (pricy as at retail prices ball park is $60ish each i think) and the 2 switches.

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Regs

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Snowflake

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# 438963 13-Feb-2011 19:54

i have a pdl 600 with 3 switches and 3 dimmers loaded... and yeah, the dimmer modules are quite expensive :( http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=26&DPT=p&DPI=1116&S=01229165f69067fa4...

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Oubadah

676 posts

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# 438978 13-Feb-2011 20:30

Regs: i have a pdl 600 with 3 switches and 3 dimmers loaded... and yeah, the dimmer modules are quite expensive :( http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=26&DPT=p&DPI=1116&S=01229165f69067fa4...

That link takes me to a blank page.

"PDL 624TM Module - 20-450W Trailing Edge Dimmer" - Is that what you were pointing to?

Regs

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Snowflake

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# 438979 13-Feb-2011 20:36

Oubadah:
Regs: i have a pdl 600 with 3 switches and 3 dimmers loaded... and yeah, the dimmer modules are quite expensive :( http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=26&DPT=p&DPI=1116&S=01229165f69067fa4...

That link takes me to a blank page.

"PDL 624TM Module - 20-450W Trailing Edge Dimmer" - Is that what you were pointing to?

odd... i clicked it and it took me straight where i expected to go. but yes, that trailing edge dimmer was where the link should have gone. there is also a leading edge dimmer - depending on what sort of lighting you are using and what is compatible "PDL 634LM Module - 20-450W Leading Edge Dimmer".

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Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 438987 13-Feb-2011 21:11

What exactly is the difference between those two types of dimmer?

Lighting will be either standard incandescent or 240v halogen (definitely NOT low voltage halogens off a transformer).

richms

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# 438988 13-Feb-2011 21:12

Remember to derate them if they are in the same box, and a 4 hole plate will have problems in many old flushboxes that are not wide enough.

Richard rich.ms

RunningMan

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# 438995 13-Feb-2011 21:28

richms: Remember to derate them if they are in the same box, and a 4 hole plate will have problems in many old flushboxes that are not wide enough.

Good point - they won't fit side by side in the old metal flush boxes.

Have a look at the PDL catalogue - if you look at the dimmers, they tell you what can be used for what sort of lighting.

The dimmer modules are supplied with large and small knobs so they can be mounted side by side in the 4 or 6 hole plates

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 440431 16-Feb-2011 19:59

Semi relevant question:

They sell these surge protected double HORIZONTAL wall plates:

http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=30&DPT=p&DPI=1538&S=329a7f90716ae66424f12ce77a1712f2

But what if I want a VERTICAL double wall plate with surge protection? They don't have one...

If I buy this:

http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=30&DPT=p&DPI=130&S=329a7f90716ae66424f12ce77a1712f2

Will I be able to pop out that... whatever-it-is thing in the middle, and install a surge module:

http://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/ecommerce.php?func=14&DCI=26&DPT=p&DPI=1468&S=329a7f90716ae66424f12ce77a1712f2

richms

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# 440436 16-Feb-2011 20:05

Those links dont work. I would not trust a website that has problems making a website that works.

If you are talking about the normal HPM surge protected outputs, no, you cant pop the thing out, the outlets are totally different behind the plate.

Also, they pollute the ground line just like the cheap nasty plugin protectors, you are better off getting dinrail protection put on your main breaker panel where the earth bonding is done so that you are not causing ground differences on every miniture surge and causing upstream breakers to trip on all the minor little surges that happen all the time.

Richard rich.ms

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 440484 16-Feb-2011 22:04

richms: Those links dont work. I would not trust a website that has problems making a website that works.

Must be the same thing that was happening when I couldn't use Regs' link. I can click on them fine.

richms: If you are talking about the normal HPM surge protected outputs, no, you cant pop the thing out, the outlets are totally different behind the plate.

No, PDL. It's a modular surge protection unit that fits in the standard key: PDL 600SM

richms: Also, they pollute the ground line just like the cheap nasty plugin protectors, you are better off getting dinrail protection put on your main breaker panel where the earth bonding is done so that you are not causing ground differences on every miniture surge and causing upstream breakers to trip on all the minor little surges that happen all the time.

I'll look into DIN rail, but I had no idea the plug in things were an issue.

richms

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# 440502 16-Feb-2011 22:29

That one might pop into a vertical plate - I have changed all them to horizontal here as I have been redecorating in anycase.

I dont know why connecting to the protective ground in a surge protector is even legal, its the stupidist idea ever if you have grounded equipment plugged into it and interconnected to other grounded equipment. There is only one ground bonding in an install for a good reason, and dumping surges onto the earth at other locations is doing the same thing but only on surge conditions.

Richard rich.ms

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 440572 17-Feb-2011 09:11

richms: I dont know why connecting to the protective ground in a surge protector is even legal, its the stupidist idea ever if you have grounded equipment plugged into it and interconnected to other grounded equipment. There is only one ground bonding in an install for a good reason, and dumping surges onto the earth at other locations is doing the same thing but only on surge conditions.

Is this the kind of thing you are talking about? http://www.kiwisparks.co.nz/products/surge-protector-20ka

Do you use just one, or one for each sub-circuit?

Does it completely remove the need for any other form of mains outlet surge protection in the house?

richms

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# 440593 17-Feb-2011 10:25

Oubadah:

Is this the kind of thing you are talking about? http://www.kiwisparks.co.nz/products/surge-protector-20ka

Do you use just one, or one for each sub-circuit?

Does it completely remove the need for any other form of mains outlet surge protection in the house?

Yes, but the one here is made by one of the known brands, not some offbrand thing like that. Unless you plan on generating large surges internally then there is no need for any more protection, unless you think you will get lucky and be able to claim on the sham coverage that they plaster all over the packaging of surge protectors.

Richard rich.ms

Oubadah

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 440788 17-Feb-2011 15:56

So you just need one unit then? Any idea where I can get one from a known brand then?

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