Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Controlling single light switch with IR remote
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Tolik
07-10-09, 10:33 AM
I'd like to control my bedroom light with my Harmony One remote (IR)
I'm trying to save on energy costs (pretty high here in NYC) thus I currently use two 13 Watt CFL's.
I just want a simple on/off function I don't need nor care to much for dimming. I thought this was a simple thing to do until I got to doing it.
I purchased a Lutron Maestro IR® 600 Watt Dimmer with Infrared Receiver from HomeDepot only to learn that it required a 60Watt minimum load (not sure what that means) so I called up Lutron and was told that i need to have at least a 60Watt bulb. I'm not sure what that means does that mean that it will consume 60Watts when it’s turned off? That also means I cannot use my CFL's (Since they are neither dimmable nor equal to 60W)
I did find a Lutron Switch With IR (Non-dimmable) but now I'm reluctant to buy it, it has a 40Watt minimum load.)
How is such a simple task so complicated? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm trying to save on energy costs (pretty high here in NYC) thus I currently use two 13 Watt CFL's.
I just want a simple on/off function I don't need nor care to much for dimming. I thought this was a simple thing to do until I got to doing it.
I purchased a Lutron Maestro IR® 600 Watt Dimmer with Infrared Receiver from HomeDepot only to learn that it required a 60Watt minimum load (not sure what that means) so I called up Lutron and was told that i need to have at least a 60Watt bulb. I'm not sure what that means does that mean that it will consume 60Watts when it’s turned off? That also means I cannot use my CFL's (Since they are neither dimmable nor equal to 60W)
I did find a Lutron Switch With IR (Non-dimmable) but now I'm reluctant to buy it, it has a 40Watt minimum load.)
How is such a simple task so complicated? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.
Tolyn Ironhand
07-10-09, 02:01 PM
The minimum load is the total wattage of all the lamps (light bulbs) that the switch is is controlling. So, if your fixture has 1 - 60 watt light bulb in it your total load is 60 watts. If you have 2 - 60 watt bulbs you have a total load of 120 watts.
It does not mean that the switch will consume 60 watts, however, I get the feeling that the switch does consume some power through the light bulbs in order to power itself. That is why there is a minimum load rating.
You may find this is also an issue with CFL lamps. With many of these types of switches and controlling devices the small amount of current will make the CFL's glow or flicker slightly. This does not happen with incandescent lamps. Be sure you check carefully that these switches are ok to controlling florescent lights.
It does not mean that the switch will consume 60 watts, however, I get the feeling that the switch does consume some power through the light bulbs in order to power itself. That is why there is a minimum load rating.
You may find this is also an issue with CFL lamps. With many of these types of switches and controlling devices the small amount of current will make the CFL's glow or flicker slightly. This does not happen with incandescent lamps. Be sure you check carefully that these switches are ok to controlling florescent lights.