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🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: acima on January 07, 2008, 09:48:36 PM

Title: Are there any X10 Wire-in dimmer module for 12V transfomer lights?
Post by: acima on January 07, 2008, 09:48:36 PM: Hi,

I'm struggling to find X10 wire-in dimmer modules that work with 12V transfomers (for under cabinet lighting).
FOr exmaple I found this Leviton module:
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10304&minisite=10024&Filter=Y&jfn=ZGEBEE3A9CDF1F27709DA72C9E72DF98B78B65A247114C43B316B7864F24E9680D9BD0E9BA6BCA280D840BDA5BE8CB1B2A68&LCR12P=eCZ6Afh2K7qUzWnOuHTQ_ew_:S&LCR12P_pses=ZG90634C24A23BE84ED72D6D2DD9F959936CE946EDAFC83BF03458E21373457582C0B9AB29EABBDF7B2ACAEB3C452BBE17B6D347ADD8E623F0&oas=t0EtvJijsLn5kJjOdmGN3g..

However, they state that it is not suposed to be used with LV transformers. BTW, I'm using 60 W.A.C transformers.
Does anyone know of modules that work for my use case?
Title: Re: Are there any X10 Wire-in dimmer module for 12V transfomer lights?
Post by: dave w on January 08, 2008, 12:34:41 PM: Silly question, I know, but are the 12V halogens dimmable?

I have 12V halogen puck lights and some are transformer models and a couple of switching power supply models. None of mine are dimmable.
If your's ARE dimmable, you should use a dimmer for inductive loads. I am not aware of a plug-in dimmer module that will work with inductive loads. PCS used to make one, but do not believe they are around any longer (or make the unit). However X10 and Smarthome make wall switch modules that will control inductive loads.
Title: Re: Are there any X10 Wire-in dimmer module for 12V transfomer lights?
Post by: acima on January 08, 2008, 07:35:13 PM: Definitely dimable. I'm using the following transformer type:
http://www.waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=64&productid=847

I had success with "regular" non-X10 dimmers.
There are wall X10 dimmers that support LV, e.g. the Leviton HCM06
Title: Re: Are there any X10 Wire-in dimmer module for 12V transfomer lights?
Post by: dave w on January 09, 2008, 12:19:19 PM: Quote from: acima on January 08, 2008, 07:35:13 PM
Definitely dimable. I'm using the following transformer type:
http://www.waclighting.com/USA/products/?categoryid=64&productid=847

I had success with "regular" non-X10 dimmers.
There are wall X10 dimmers that support LV, e.g. the Leviton HCM06
FWIW
X10 dimmable modules are more sensitive to inductive loads than a standard triac dimmer. It is conceivable a standard dimmer might dim your LV halogens but the X10 dimmer won't.

You might try an X10 Pro XPDI3 which is "snubbed" for an inductive load. It requires a neutral in the box. A two wire X10 wall switch (WS467, WS12, etc) usually will NOT work on anything with a switching or inductive power supply unless there is an incandescent load in the circuit along with the switching or inductive supply.