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Author Topic: Electronic Dimmers and Old Wiring Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 11-28-2002 01:12 AM                     All of the house lights in our theatre are on resistance dimmers. I have been told that converting to solid state dimmers could cause problems in our 74 year old wiring due to inductive spikes caused by the pulsing current of modern dimmers. Is this a real possibility or B.S. ?  |  IP: Logged Ken McFall Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 615 From: Haringey, London. Registered: Apr 2001 posted 11-28-2002 01:21 AM                     Never heard that one before in regards to an ordinary filiment lighting circuit..... I'd be more concerned for your 74 year old wiring!!  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-28-2002 10:25 AM                     The wiring isn't what I'd be most concerned about. I'd go for autoformer dimmers in your case (Luxtrol style). You run manual anyway and the Luxtrols are the cleanest dimmers around...no nasty choppy BS like with "modern" triac style dimmers. http://www.superiorelectric.com/WEB_voltage/luxtrol-c.pdf Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-28-2002 10:50 AM                     I second what Steve said. If you are oncerned with possible problems go this route, or use an electronic dimmer with lots of output filtering on it. Mark  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-28-2002 03:15 PM                     If the dimmers are properly grounded and the neutral is good then well filtered electronic dimmers should not have any problem  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-28-2002 04:35 PM                     No matter how well you filter them, nothing beats the autoformer for clean output. Steve  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-28-2002 04:56 PM                     I've never seen an old building with a decent ground, many still ahve a high leg on 3 phase too. Mark  |  IP: Logged

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