I have Lutron Maestro switches throughout my home and love them. However, two of them are now difficult to use. They do work eventually, but I have to press repeatedly and very firmly to get them to turn on or off. All the rest work beautifully at a single touch. Does this just mean that they're worn out and need to be replaced, or is there an easier and less costly solution? I bought my house three years ago, and believe they were installed four or five years ago. Many thanks for your help.

I will take anybody's broken Lutron dimmers.
Please let me know...

Marty

Hello. There could be a couple of possibilities. First is the simplest to verify, is it a Companion Dimmer, Standard Dimmer switches or a 600W or 1000W Maestro Wireless Multi-location Dimmer. The Maestro Companion Dimmers can not be used individually, as they do not control a load, and must be used along with a Maestro or Maestro Wireless Multi-location Dimmer. The Campanion Dimmers are also a line/low voltage rating, and rated for incandescent and halogen but may not handle some flourescent fixtures. The other thing I can think of is that you may have interfearence from another item. They are radio frequency (RF) devices that communicate together for wireless control of lights. Here's two links that may be of some help, the second has downloadable install instructions.

http://www.smarthome.com/6601LA/Lutron-MA-R-LA-Maestro-Companion-Dimmer-Switch-Light-Almond/p.aspx

http://www.prolighting.com/lumamaprsmre.html

Hope this helps out, don't forget to rate this answer.

Thank You,
Richard

1) If this installation was working before, the Maestro has a small pull-out circuit breaker that lets you reset the device. This is called the FASS Front Accessible Service Switch, located at bottom of dimmer where it meets cover plate.
Open sample Lutron Maestro dimmer manual to see FASS illustration
http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/0301106A.pdf

2) If this is new installation, then double-check your wiring and check that load matches dimmer capacity: 600 watt incandescent or halogen, which apparently excludes CFLs.
Some electronic devices have shortened lifespan on circuits that are not clean. Use circuit analyzer on nearby outlet that is on same breaker to see if line has interference.

3) Lutron has customer service numbers:
1.888.LUTRON1 (588.7661)
1-800-523-9466

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on dimmer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

1) If this installation was working before, the Maestro has a small pull-out circuit breaker that lets you reset the device. This is called the FASS Front Accessible Service Switch, located at bottom of dimmer where it meets cover plate.
Open sample Lutron Maestro dimmer manual to see FASS illustration
http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/0301106A.pdf

2) If this is new installation, then double-check your wiring and check that load matches dimmer capacity: 600 watt incandescent or halogen, which excludes CFLs apparently.
Some electronic devices have shortened lifespan on circuits that are not clean. Use circuit analyzer on outlet on same breaker to see if line has interference.

3) I don't see MAW-600 W listed among Maestro dimmers, so I don't have that specific manual.
http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Dimmers+%26+Switches&prodn=Maestro%C2%AE+dimmer+%26+switch

4) Amazon certainly shows the MAW-600 W, in case you need a replacement.
http://www.amazon.com/Lutron-MAW600H-WH-Electronics-Maestro-Dimmer/dp/B000BPCWQE

5) Lutron has customer service numbers:
1.888.LUTRON1 (588.7661)
1-800-523-9466

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on dimmer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

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

You posted under MIR600 single pole digital fade dimmer for incandescent and halogen.
Installation manual:
http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/030864b.pdf
If this is not your dimmer, then add a comment with exact model number so I can read that manual and look for trouble spots.

The manual does not say 'Fan'
It appears this dimmer is for incandescent and Halogen lights.
Manual gives Lutron 24hr/7day tech support number 1-800-523-9466

If you do not want to add a comment for more free assistance, and do not want to call Lutron, then take advantage of fixya phone service.
Expert will walk you through the problem for a price.

Lutron Maestro MAW-600 manual:
Single-Pole 600 Watt Halogen/ Incandescent Dimmer (minimum 40 Watt)
http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/0301106A.pdf

Lutron technical support 1.800.523.9466




You said pendant lights blew out.
How many total watts were those lights?
Did you remove aluminum break-away fins on side of device to match wattage?

Front indicator can be pulled out to cut power to circuit.
This is called FASS switch.
Try pulling out FASS switch and then pushing it back to see if it re-sets device.
Click breaker on-off to see if it resets device.
You replaced a single-pole switch that has two wires plug ground wire.
Each wire from switch goes to either screw on MAW-600 so it's hard to go wrong there.
Bare copper goes to green ground screw.
Otherwise, it looks like tech support is next step: 1800-523-9466

If I understand correctly, you have the Lutron Pico wireless control
And you have the Lutron Maestro companion switch or companion dimmer
Pico will not work with ordinary wall switch or dimmer >> it has to be a companion product from Lutron


I have read the PICO wireless manual, and it shows no instructions for communicating with the companion wireless switch or companion wireless dimmer
http://www.lutron.com/Products/SingleRoomControls/MaestroWireless/Pages/Overview.aspx

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/369-144f_Pico_Wireless_Control_SpecSub%20%286%29.pdf

I have read the 120V Companion switch manual and it shows no instructions for communicating with the PICO wireless control
http://www.lutron.com/Service-Support/Technical/InstallationInstructions/Pages/InstallationInstructions.aspx?syst=Single+Room+Controls&prodn=Maestro+Wireless%C2%AE

http://www.lutron.com/TechnicalDocumentLibrary/030865c.pdf

1-800-523-9466 for technical support
Technical support online appears at page bottom

Normally manuals give you some clue as to how the product works.
The PICO manual says it's easy to control lights (I guess it's easy for mind-readers)
There seems to be no answer or hint when working with the PICO.
I think Lutron tech support is where you go from here.

Let us know what you discover

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:
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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.

Because the switches are relatively inexpensive, there aren't kits to repair them when they fail mechanically. Your best bet is to get an exact replacement from a Home Depot or such, turn off the breaker switch, and rewire it exactly as it was, using wire nuts and tape.

Go here for download instructions:

http://www.lutron.com/cms400/PageBuyNow.aspx?id=16977&mn=1815


If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/craig_3fa289bf857b1a3c