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Purpose of heatsink tabs on dimmer switch and are they removable?
Posted on 1/16/23 at 12:15 pm
Posted on 1/16/23 at 12:15 pm
Installing a timer switch in the same box as an already existing dimmer three-way switch.
The dimmer switch is massive and has the heatsink tabs still attached making it a pretty crowded space.
My timer switch is touching the dimmer switch and causing me to have to screw in the plate at an angle.
Can I remove these tabs?
If I don’t, what would happen if I wrap the tabs in electrical tape to avoid it touching the metal parts of the timer switch?
The dimmer switch is massive and has the heatsink tabs still attached making it a pretty crowded space.
My timer switch is touching the dimmer switch and causing me to have to screw in the plate at an angle.
Can I remove these tabs?
If I don’t, what would happen if I wrap the tabs in electrical tape to avoid it touching the metal parts of the timer switch?
This post was edited on 1/16/23 at 12:17 pm
3
Posted on 1/16/23 at 12:28 pm to 0x15E
What kind of lights is your dimmer controlling? Im assuming this is an older dimmer?
Some dimmers with huge heatsinks were designed to have some of the parts broken off when putting them in a multigang box, but Without the part # of your dimmer there is no way to know.
Some dimmers with huge heatsinks were designed to have some of the parts broken off when putting them in a multigang box, but Without the part # of your dimmer there is no way to know.
Posted on 1/16/23 at 12:33 pm to kengel2
quote:
What kind of lights is your dimmer controlling? Im assuming this is an older dimmer?
It’s a chandelier with (from what I can tell) 8 dimmable incandescents. I can get a picture and a part number later today when I get home.
Thought about just swapping the dimmer switch with the other switch that controls the same chandelier (it’s a non-dimmable three-way) but it’s a horizontal switch so that’s a no-go.
Are there three-way dimmers that are more narrow? I haven’t been to Home Depot to check.
Posted on 1/16/23 at 1:25 pm to 0x15E
The manufacturer should have a data sheet on the heat shield tabs. It all has to do with how much total max current the dimmer will see and ambient operating temperature.
Posted on 1/16/23 at 5:38 pm to 0x15E
Update:
As a temporary solution I just switched out the dimmer switch with a non-dimmable regular 3-way.
I researched and found there are oversized two-gang boxes that I can just cut a new hole for. Will eventually switch out the old box for a new one.
As a temporary solution I just switched out the dimmer switch with a non-dimmable regular 3-way.
I researched and found there are oversized two-gang boxes that I can just cut a new hole for. Will eventually switch out the old box for a new one.
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