Another ZWave switch bites the dust!

[MRL]

I am now down to 4 HomePro ZWave switches from an original 8 as every time a bulb blows out it takes the switch with it. A 60-watt bulb in my family room ceiling light blew and the switch (a dimmer) went with it.
These HomePro ZWave switches go back to last summer so I assume thery are no longer under warranty.
Are the newer ZWave switches any better? I never could get a reliable 3-way combination to work with the ZTW100.

 

[tech-home]

Switch to Intermatic...

 

[MeSteve]

What model were you using?

 

[MRL]

What model were you using?

HomePro ZDW100W

 

[MeSteve]

I was under the impression that the 120's were supposed tohave fixed the bulb blowing problem.

 

[elcano]

A 60-watt bulb in my family room ceiling light blew and the switch (a dimmer) went with it.

How do you know it was not the other way around? Were there other bulbs in the same circuit? If not, may be the Z-Wave module send a peak of voltage at the moment of dying that burned the bulb with it.

Not better for you or Z-Wave at all, but I just wonder how is that by opening the circuit (burned bulb) can damage the z-wave module.

 

[PeterW]

There is a very long history of triac based dimmers being destroyed when bulbs blow. It's been happening to varying degrees all the way back to at least the first X-10 products. I vaguely recall somebody mentioning the technical details about why a bulb blowing is so hard on a triac, but I just don't remember the details.

 

[BLH]

Many times there is a large surge current that the triac can't handle. Most have a peak rating for momentary surges, but if it lasts more than one or two cycles. It fails. Most times [X10 LM15A Socket Rocket comes to mind here] in the shorted mode. Making it a wire and it will not go off. I also did see [had it apart] a B&D Freewire Lamp Module [X10 OEM] that had a Fuse in it. Overload it enough and you blow the fuse. Smarthomes Insteon Lamp Modules also have a fuse in them. Soldered in so no easy replacement.
I have seen posts that some brands of lights have a better track record for not killing modules when they blow out. Maybe the way the filament is mounted in the bulb. It separates cleanly and doesn't short together on failing.

 

[mbreeden]

ACT Homepro switches have a 2yr. warranty. That is what their website states.

- Mike

 

[MRL]

How do you know it was not the other way around? Were there other bulbs in the same circuit?

The family room has 2 ceiling fixtures each with a single 60 watt bulb. Only 1 bulb blew taking the switch with it. This the fourth HomePro ZDW100W/ZRW100W switch to die when a bulb blows.

 

[Rustytek]

just had three burn out - DAMN ACT SWITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MeSteve]

Has anyone had a ZDW120 do this?