Will Insteon Dimming Work on Low Voltage Lighting?

[hvshah69]

Hi,

I am currently re-modelling my kitchen and was planning to install track lights which run at 12 V DC (comes with a wall mountable transformer). My plan is to install Insteon devices in my whole house in a few months. I am wondering if the dimming feature of Insteon switches would work across a transformer.

Thanks.

 

[compuguru]

I beleive that Smarthome recommends that you use a relay switch on Low-Voltage lighting, as transformers are not made to be dimmed.

 

[hvshah69]

Compuguru,

Your response led me to the following information on Smarthome's page that I had not read before

The SwitchLinc V2 Relay functions only as an on/off switch. If you need a dimmable switch to control incandescent bulbs, low-voltage halogen (e.g. track), and other low-voltage lights with magnetic or dimmable electronic transformers, use either the SwitchLinc V2 Dimmer, or the high-power SwitchLinc V2 Dimmer 1000W.

So, it seems like V2 Dimmer should work. Relay, unfortunately, will give me only ON/OFF control but no Dimming

Can anyone please confirm. Thanks.

 

[Paul_PDX]

It should work if you have a transformer that can be dimmed with a triac (if the track lighting company sells their own dimer for the lights it should work).

I am using Elko and WAC transformers for LV Halogen lights with good success using SwitchLinc V2s to do the dimming. I have also tried dimming some cheap LV lights from Ikea with no-name transformers and they worked.

 

[Digger]

I would be careful with the LV Halogens. Some of them are no being powered by small switching power supplies and the use of a dimmer may not be reccomended (and may not work).

I wold check with the manufacturer first.

 

[hvshah69]

Paul,

I am also considering track light system from WAC lighting. It is good to know that you had success. I will check with WAC anyways.

Thanks all for replying.

 

[Madcodger]

I think Digger is correct - check to make sure that the initial product is designed to be dimmed. That said, I have several types of LV lighting that dim just fine with Insteon.

 

[AutomatedOutlet]

You haven't said, is it magnetic or electronic LV lighting?

 

[hvshah69]

One that I am considering has the Electronic Transformer.

Is Magnetic a better choice for Insteon ?

The company does sell magnetic transformers.

 

[gregoryx]

Thought I'd pipe in that the dimmer switches work great on two different brands of low-voltage in-ceiling cans I'm using. FWIW and YMMV, of course.

 

[SmartLabsMike]

One that I am considering has the Electronic Transformer.

Is Magnetic a better choice for Insteon ?

The company does sell magnetic transformers.

INSTEON SwitchLinc V2 Dimmers can handle low-voltage lights with magnetic or dimmable electronic transformers as noted on the product page http://www.smarthome.com/2476D.HTML.

Good Luck!