Re: how to fit x10 switches in a gangbox

[Marc F Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 30 Sep 2005 13:54:53 -0700, "unfrostedpoptart" <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote in message  <1128113693.433113.124010@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

>I really wish that they would make the X10 switches smaller ..[]

Beware of what you ask for ;-) X-10 switches already have undersized
inductors -- just a few turns on a small ferrite rod. The inductor should be
significantly larger in order to adequately reduce the switching noise from
the TRIAC.

The requirement in Europe of passing CE standards for generated noise that
is more stringent than in US is likely part of the reason why there are
DIN-mounted, centrally-located  X10 dimmers sold for use in Europe.

The toroid inductors used on typical commercial/architectural dimmers like
Leviton/NSI's are larger than ann entire X-10 switch.   This is a problem
with the majority of US dimmers for home use, not just X-10.  One can take
up even more wall-estate with a second switch box to make room for the wires
and add-on inductors available from Leviton and (others ?) to solve volume
(installation), noise problems and to help with heat dissipation. When you
break off the ears of dimmers to make them accommodate another dimmer next
to it, the ability of the Dimmer TRIAC to dissipate heat is reduced and the
dimmer needs to be de-rated. They should be de-rated even more if you place
three in a small switch box and cover with a plastic wall plate which
further reduces heat dissipation. I'd derate three X10 dimmer in a single
box at least 50%.

Mixing in some remote switches used in 2-way and 3-way applications in a
multiple switch box is helpful from both a heat and internal box volume
standpoint. It may be that you can reverse/change the locations of the
actual dimmer and the remote(s) to your advantage.

Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org