Dimmer overload

[Only1harden]

I'm part qualified so you'll have to forgive my tiny brain...

12 x 50w Gu10s that have munched a couple of dimmers.(a silly load for a room that's abut 8 Msq)

I understand that with these halogens I may have to de rate the dimmer which would mean a 1200 watt dimmer (a bit pricy by the looks of it)

Would there be any issue with putting a normal single pole switch on it?
Is it then a simple amp rating calculation? (5.12A)
Is there maybe a greater inrush like this that may cause problems?
Last but not least, is it safe?

Thank you.

 

[Only1harden]

Oh and by the way, it's my place. I'm pretending to be a qualified spark

 

[Phillcbr400]

If the rating of the switch is greater than the load then yes, or another option is to lower the load, i.e 20w lamps.

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

Re-check your maths.

Regards.

 

[telectrix]

fit a 10A standard switch. then save some pennies and buy GU10 LEDs. save about £200 /year assuming 8 hours a day that the lights are on.

 

[glasgospark]

12x50w is 600w ,

8msq are you sure the room is a 2 meter box

 

[amlu]

change the bulbs to 3w gu10 leds, you will save on energy costs over time.
600 watts to light up just one room is not the best option.

 

[R G]

In Line dimmer springs to mind , but get a sparks in to confirm and install.......

 

[Only1harden]

12 x 50 is indeed 600, but there's a lot of threads here and elsewhere that say for halogens you have to consider de rating by up to .5

And yes the room is 2 meters by 4 meters, which is 8 Msq.

Thanks for the constructive stuff though.

 

[telectrix]

it's not 8m.sq. it's 8 sq.m. the difference between the two is 56sq.m.

 

[Only1harden]

Fair point, that could cost me few quid if I ordered an extra 56sqM of gyprock.
And I typo'd earlier, im NOT out there pretending to be full blown.