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Posted by Zootal on August 25, 2006, 1:36 am
>
>>
>>tolbiny wrote:
>>> Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room
>>> ceiling
>>> light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?
>>
>>Probably is unsafe if the dimmer has copper wire leads that have to be
>>wire nutted to the Aluminum wire. Dimmers create resistance which
>>raise temperatures which cause aluminum wire to fail.
>
> Seems to me it would be "Dimmers create resistance which cause less
> current to flow through aluminum wires so they don't get so hot as
> they would if there were no dimmer."
>
> What about light bulbs? Even without dimmers, light bulbs create
> resistance. Do they cause aluminum wire to fail? Bulbs can get a lot
> hotter than a non-malfunctioning dimmer.
>
> Maybe I didn't understand you.
>
Dimmers are usually triacs, and don't generate much heat. Certainly not
enough to cause problems with aluminum wiring. I lived in a house with
aluminum wiring. I made sure all receptacles and switches were rated for Al,
was carefull not to let copper wire contact Al, and never had problems.
So - if the dimmer is rated for Al wire, then it's not likely to cause
problems with Al wiring. As for using it with a ceiling fan, it's usually
considered a bad idea. Dimmers are not rheostats or potentiometers. They are
usually triacs. They do not gently reduce the voltage, they delay turning on
during part of the a/c cycle so the average voltage is reduced. The output
would be rough on many devices, even light bulbs. Supposedly this can damage
the ceiling fan, but I've not actually tried it.
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