Re: Leviton "Air Gap Switch" on Dimmer Controls

["BruceR" <bruceNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, the Winnebago story is nothing more than a false urban legend
(http://www.snopes.com/autos/techno/cruise.asp) but there are plenty of
real examples that demonstrate the need for tort reform. The REAL reason
for the airgap switch is to obtain a UL listing.


"Petem" <petem001@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:MkXak.6619$fk2.12857@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> While it seem to some that such stuff is totally not useful, we have
> to keep in mind that some user of such device could in fact have
> difficulty understanding the risk they take while changing a light
> bulb...
>
> Just think that a driver of a Winnebago did hurt himself and won in
> court after placing his RV in autopilot (cruise control) and started
> making his next meal in the back of the RV...
>
> Like someone here like to say, it's not rocket science, but it's still
> more then crushing a skull with a club...
>
>
> "BruceR" <bruceNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> a écrit dans le message de groupe
> de discussion : CI-dnddvrLtcf_bVnZ2dnUVZ_jidnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> It's the world we live in.
>>
>> "Tom" <donot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:OHPak.8725$1I.4412@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Thanks, Bruce. Thanks for your help on the other thread too.
>>>
>>> While I was waiting, I called Leviton and asked the same thing. It
>>> was your answers that helped me understand theirs. The rep
>>> vacillated on the point about protecting the switch while
>>> emphasising the "safety" aspect. It didn't take a rocket scientist
>>> to realize that he"had" to state the party line about protecting the
>>> switch.  It just irks me that features like this are added because
>>> of our litigative society that believes that caution and common
>>> sense are someone elses responsibility.
>>>
>>> "BruceR" <bruceNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>> news:VtednYr1rPNEXfbVnZ2dnUVZ_hOdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> Exactly, I usually just screw in a new bulb since I know better
>>>> that to stick my finger in the socket. Never caused a problem with
>>>> the switch or the bulb. That's been my experience using
>>>> X10/Leviton/Switchlinc switches since 1984.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Tom" <donot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>> news:_SOak.8701$1I.3505@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>> If I understand you correctly, you have Leviton dimmers and have
>>>>> changed many bulbs without using the switch?
>>>>>
>>>>> I can understand the safety rational but it does seem a bit
>>>>> awkward since that switch is anything but easy to operate. I would
>>>>> guess that most would forget about it or simply ignore it
>>>>> altogether given its PITA factor.
>>>>>
>>>>> "BruceR" <bruceNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>>> news:1K6dnQU4T4FgKPbVnZ2dnUVZ_u6dnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>> It's a safety feature so that when you change a bulb you don't
>>>>>> inadvertently shock yourself. Some might say that the sudden load
>>>>>> of the bulb could damage the bulb or the switch but I've never
>>>>>> experienced that.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Tom" <donot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:raOak.15577$LL4.10180@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>>>>> According to the installation instructions, it states to
>>>>>>> disconnect the power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch"
>>>>>>> before changing a light bulb. The air gap switch isn't the
>>>>>>> easiest switch to get at nor is flipping switches in the breaker
>>>>>>> panel - both seem troublesome just to change a light bulb. OK,
>>>>>>> why is this important?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>