Dimmer blowing

[Doomed]

I'm being sent to look at a job where a colleague has replaced a dimmer that controls 2 wall lights three times. Apparently 40W candle lamps in pairs. I can think of no reason why this arrangement should keep taking the dimmer out.
Any ideas before I go there on Tuesday?

 

[dnk1983]

depends what size of dimmer they have been fitting?

 

[Richard Burns]

Clamp the outgoing line to the lights and see what current is being taken, it may be there is a fault on the lights overloading the dimmer.
You can get low load dimmers that only have a max rating of 100W, but it sounds unlikely to be that.

 

[cobrauk]

"2 wall lights three times. Apparently 40W candle lamps in pairs"

Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...forum/66689-dimmer-blowing.html#ixzz2AhEk0hRG
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2x40x2=160amps so if it is a 100w dimmer there is your reason for it blowing

 

[GLENNSPARK]

"2 wall lights three times. Apparently 40W candle lamps in pairs"

Read more: http://www.electriciansforums.net/e...forum/66689-dimmer-blowing.html#ixzz2AhEk0hRG
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2x40x2=160amps so if it is a 100w dimmer there is your reason for it blowing

160 amps?...wow....is this wembley?..lol..

 

[ayjay]

i think the o/p means that the dimmer has been replaced 3 times and is controlling 2 wall lights with 2X 40 watt lamps in each one which equals 160watts

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i think the o/p means that the dimmer has been replaced 3 times and is controlling 2 wall lights with 2X 40 watt lamps in each one which equals 160watts

yes yes i know....i was just being facetious...

 

[cobrauk]

Sorry having an old git moment lol yes it should have been watts

 

[Octopus]

How deep is the back box? Is it overheating?

 

[ayjay]

how can it be overheating it only got to dim a 160 watt load i reckon the op is taking the micky

 

[Doomed]

300W dimmer, standard size patress apparently, I will not be seeing it until Thursday now.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

As per Richard clamp it, possibly its being inadvertantly expected to dim something else.

As in not a light