Hope this is a ‘general discussion’ topic: If a single light is controlled by three switches can you still use a dimmer switch? If you can does each of the three switches need a dimmer? If you can do I use a three-way dimmer on all three switches or a single pole on all three or some really strange combo package on the three switches. I asked my favorite electritian over a beer one night and he just smiled – don’t know if that meant I am in over my head or he just had a few too many?
Thanks, Mike
Replies
You can put a 3 way dimmer on either end of the switch loop but I have never seen one for the center (4 way) switch. You really want to only use one. If you have 2 you will have problems with them getting out of sync. If one is dimmed, you can't bring it up from the other side. These are basically just a dimmer on the output of a 3 way switch in one device.
They do make a smart dimmer like a maestro but they are spendy.
Dimmer switch
Hey - thank you for the advice. I am thinking of one dimmer switch set at a desired level and leave it there. Since the light is an island light it can stay as a 'soft' type of light and still look appealing. Any suggestion on a quality dimmer switch or all big box switches about the same?
Big boxes buy the same switches as supply houses, they just don't have the same selection.
If you get a name brand and not the "economy" grade, it should last forever ... or until you have a light bulb short out.
(the standoff flops over and shorts).
If you want a dimmer control on every switch you can do it via radio control... there is one dimmer, but it is controlled through many radios. Look at ceiling fan controlers for the example.
There are several ways to handle this.
Most elegant is to buy the fancy electronic dimmers where each switch has an up/down rocker switch so you can dim from any location. Some of these require special wiring, while others are designed to work with existing 3-way wiring, or with a master and battery-operated remotes.
You can buy a combo 3-way dimmer. Usually the 3-way switch is accomplished via a push/push switch in the dimmer knob, so that you don't disturb the dimming setting when you operate the switch.
You can rig a standard 3-way switch setup and then add the dimmer switch as a "master" switch. In this scheme, if the dimmer is turned off then the 3-ways become inoperative.
Gas and dimmers
Okay so now I have gas! I am too cheap to purchase expensive remote dimmers - heck I would lose the dimmer in a matter of seconds anyway. I like the suggestions and will make an attempt to lower my light output. If you hear about a major electrical brown out in Michigan - well they you know how it all started.
Thanks, Mike