ᐅ Dimmable Outlet / Risks and Safety Measures

Created on: 11 Apr 2018 14:19
T
Tentakel
T
Tentakel
11 Apr 2018 14:19
Hello,

we have installed switched outlets in every living area of the house, controlled by switches (some combined with ceiling lights). I would now like to replace some of these switches with dimmers. This would mean that the connected outlets could also be dimmed. I plan to mark these outlets visibly.

However, there is a risk that high-power devices might be plugged into these outlets accidentally (for example, the mother-in-law visiting and wanting to use an iron).

Has anyone done something similar and specially protected these outlets?

Best regards, Andreas
S
Steffen80
11 Apr 2018 17:41
The approach is completely nonsensical... something like this is done using a BUS system...
T
Tom1607
11 Apr 2018 18:06
Hello,

@Steffen80 ; There are still people who prefer traditional installations, so it might be better to avoid such comments ;-)

@Tentakel : I would protect that circuit with a fuse or breaker rated for the dimmer’s capacity. That way, there shouldn’t be any issues. Also, there are colored inserts available to clearly indicate that this is not a standard outlet. This is definitely the best approach. Most visitors will then naturally notice and ask why the outlet is marked in red.
A
Alex85
11 Apr 2018 19:28
Are there mothers-in-law who come to visit just to iron?
Oh, if only I had known that beforehand.
M
matte
11 Apr 2018 20:46
If you really want to go through with it, I have also read about installing a foreign socket (e.g., UK) in the respective outlet boxes. Then, the matching plug is attached to the corresponding floor lamp.

This way, you avoid the risk of accidentally connecting a vacuum cleaner or something similar by mistake.

€: But if you take the effort, you can just as well feed the cable through a blank cover with a hole and clamp it inside the box.
T
Tentakel
11 Apr 2018 21:20
Well, the mother-in-law probably won’t do the ironing; I just used the iron as a good example because it has a clear power rating.

Special LED dimmers often have a low maximum power, usually around 100/400 W, so one of these would quickly burn out with a vacuum cleaner.

Okay, the idea of a foreign plug is quite clever. I already have a colored socket here, but maybe I will replace it later. If I wire it directly, I need to think carefully about proper strain relief, especially with small children in the house.

I consciously decided against a bus system because, to be honest, I don’t see any advantage compared to regular wiring in a single-family home. However, I have made the blinds smart and installed many motion sensors. How do you solve the problem with dimmable sockets in a bus system? The problem is exactly the same, no matter whether I operate the dimmer via bus or manually, right?