Maestro Lutron  Dimmer 600 Watts Ma-600-wh Logo
Posted on Oct 17, 2010

Lutron dimmers throught the house, lights go high brightness to low all by themselves, is this just a bad dimmer?

1 Answer

A

Anonymous

I have spent considerable time on the Lutron site past couple days looking at their dimmers.

Lutron has a lot of dimmer varieties. The basic breakdown is 600Watt and 1000Watt. But different dimmers control different types of lighting.
Here is the long list of Lutron dimmer manuals:
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Dimmers+%26+Switches&prodn=Maestro%C2%AE+dimmer+%26+switch


I cannot find a specific troubleshoot manual for Lutron dimmers
So I suggest 4 things:
1) Feel the dimmer switch for heat >>> if it is getting hot (not warm), then that dimmer is dangerous, so remove dimmer immediately, add up your total bulb wattage to make sure you're below the 600 or 1000 watt capacity of you model dimmer
2) Look at the list of manuals shown at link, and make sure your dimmer matches the type of bulb you are using. Your dimmer model number and wattage should be printed on side or back of dimmer.
3) These dimmers use electronics to control the lights. Electronics go bad. The higher the wattage controlled by your dimmer, the more heat, and the shorter the dimmer life.
4) Short in the wires. Replace your dimmer with one from Home Depot and see if the condition persists. If it does, then a short is probably somewhere in that circuit. Troubleshooting a short is another long answer that needs more wiring detail ... please repost if you have a short.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

I bought a Hunter fan Model 21778 that uses 2 incandescent candelabra lights. Before installing it I called Hunter support to see if it was okay to use a dimmer switch for these lights (I had already...

They're right, you don't want to control the whole thing with a single incandescent dimmer. First of all, the fan-speed and the lights will all be controlled by the same dimmer setting (dim low, low fan-speed - dim high, high fan-speed) - and the dimmer's not rated to control fans anyway which can result in exactly what they said.

There is a Skylark control, the S2-LFSQ- where half the knob controls the light, the other half controls the fan. The only problem you may (and most likely) have is that in order for that to work, between the electrical box for the dimmer and the fan, there needs to be seaparate wire run for the fan, and a separate wire run for the light so that the dimmer can individual control both.

If that's a problem, I recommend the MA-LFQM-, which includes a module that you install in the ceiling with the fan. The wall switch it comes with speaks to that module, and gives you independent control of the fan and light without having to install new wiring. I have one of those myself, I've installed one in one of my friend's houses, and they work pretty well and then you don't have to worry about what wires you've got in your wall.
0helpful
2answers

I have 3 hanging kitchen lights over the sink on the Lutron dimmer - 2 issues - The lights dim all by themselves and know one of the pendent lights is always burining the bulb out within a few weeks of use...

To separate any wiring problem from dimmer problems, temporarily replace the dimmer with a regular switch. Use it that way for few weeks if necessary. If it works normally with the switch, you need a new dimmer.
0helpful
1answer

Keypads will not respond. Either can't turn on or

Possible power supply problem--low voltage from master unit or dead batteries at each switch. Good luck!
1helpful
1answer

On/off works but dimmers do not. leviton toggle

If each pendant has an individual transformer that is about the size of a hotwheel then you need a dimmer specifically for ELECTRONIC LOW VOLTAGE. A lot of electricians don't know that the different types of lights require different dimmers. Most store bought dimmers are for incandescent lights only, and some nicer dimmers like the Lutron Maestro's are rated for incandescent or MAGNETIC Low Voltage which require a different Sin wave interuption. I don't know that leviton makes a dimmer in that style for Electronic Low Voltage. You could install a Lutron DVELV300P-Wh, but that is a Decora opening. http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=25437
Here is a link to explain the difference in how the dimmer needs to work. Good luck!
1helpful
1answer

Dimmer doesn't turn off! Right after I installed a Lutron electronic dimmer switch, it worked fine. After about a week, it wouldn't turn the lights off. The lights just dim to a low level at the lowest...

There is one more thing that you can try, turn the power off from the breaker and wait about 20 seconds, then turn back on. If that doesn't fix it you are probably right about the dimmer being bum. It is very rare that Lutron devices are defective. You can contact them directly and see if you can get it replaced since you no longer have the receipt. You may have to send it to them before they will send you a replacement but it beats spending another $50
http://lutron.com/CMS400/page.aspx?id=24679
4helpful
2answers
1helpful
1answer

LUTRON DIMMER

The Lutron Maestro dimmer isn't rated or designed to operate low voltage lighting as it is a 120 V-AC rated electronic dimmer. You should either install a standard low voltage ON/OFF switch on this installation or obtain a dimmer rated for use on low voltage lights.

You need special low voltage dimmer designed for use on the low voltage pucks lights you have installed. Usually the low voltage is either 12, 24, or 36 volts, depending on the manufacturer of your particular light set. Once the correct dimmer is in place, the problem with the flickering and pulsing of the lights, should cease.

If you still are having this problem and you can't find a low voltage dimmer, you can contact the maker of your low voltage light kit and they can provide you with an acceptable dimmer option for your lights.

Most Home Depot and Lowe's carry the low voltage puck light kits, and usually have accessories for these lights, including dimmer switches that will work with them.

Hope you find this Very Helpful and best regards!

PS: I found this old, unanswered question and wanted to provide a solution to close out the problem and clear the question from the site.
0helpful
2answers

Lutron Dimmer Not Dimming But On/Off Works

What is the dimmer rated for? Your load on the track appears to be 200 watts. A standard dimmer will burn out, you need to look on the dimmer to see what it is rated for. Did it run hot with the dimmer before you had this problem? They make dimmers for higher wattage that will do the job for you.
0helpful
3answers

How many dimmers types?

Certain dimmers can control standard incandescent lamps that use 120 volts while other dimmers can control low voltage xenon or halogen light sources that use 12 or 24 volts.
Not finding what you are looking for?

405 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Maestro Electrical Supplies Experts

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

ADMIN Andrew
ADMIN Andrew

Level 3 Expert

66963 Answers

Are you a Maestro Electrical Supply Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...