ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area IC Recessed lighting

02125,I frequently wind up with egg on my face,but these guys will help you scrape it off. Bob, I've noticed this in some of the high end ceiling fan controls with a lot of bells and whistles on them.

[This message has been edited by ga.sparky56 (edited 02-23-2003).]

If these dimmers are lighted, they give funny readings.

EE, they are not lighted.

I have a total of 5 different circuits in the bathroom and they are all showing this stray voltage. All 5 have 600 or 1000 watt 3 way or single pole dimmers, plus all 5 have 20 amp GFCI breakers that I installed yesterday. I have an old Wadsworth 200 amp box, (pre 1979), I couldn't find any Wads GFCI's so I had to buy clones, still very expensive though.

Thanks for all the input!!

Frank, could you provide us with a part number or description of the dimmers.

Also if the circuit feeding these lights is connected to the load side of a GFCI cutting the equipment ground and neutral at the same time will cause the GFCI to trip.

Curt

FrankM;

I recently replaced/updated my clothes washer receptacle. Turned the circuit off at the breaker, double-checked it with a multi-meter before working on it and got 5.3v-5.5v, 0 amps. The lights in the basement are on there own circuit and the washer feed was pulled with the feed to this light circuit, so they are in contact for most of the run. Plugged my utility light in, turned the lights on that same circuit off and the voltage reading dropped to 2.2v.
I've recently learned about conductors/Romex being bundled tightly together causing ampacity loss (derating); not sure if it has to do with yours an my "stray" voltage readings, but I'd be interested if anybody out there knows.

Good luck!

ikauffma

caselec
There are 3 AY-600P- single pole 600 watt dimmers and 2 AY-103PNL- 3-way 1000 watt dimmers. They are made by Lutron, here is the webpage for these dimmers.
http://www.lutron.com/ariadni/Default.htm#dimmers

Thanks again

Frank, the 2 AY-103PNL have a built-in night light that is connected in parallel with the dimmer. This would give you a voltage reading at the lights with the dimmer in the off position.

Curt