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Glossary A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z 100% Factory Tested Lutron performance-tests every product at the end of the manufacturing line to meet rigid quality standards. Customers receive products that have been tested to work the first time, every time. 100% Wattage Capacity Lutron dimmers can be loaded to their full wattage capacity. For example, a 600 watt dimmer, with the side section attached (not derated), can handle 600 watts of load. 3-way Dimmer with Switches 3-way dimmers adjust the light level from one location. When used with 3-way and 4-way switches, the lights can be turned on to the dimmer level or off from many locations. Choke The choke minimizes or eliminates radio frequency interference (RFI). Lutron uses filter chokes that are oversized and do a better job eliminating RFI. Electronic Low-Voltage (ELV) Track lights are usually electronic low-voltage. Control electronic low-voltage lamps with an electronic low-voltage dimmer ONLY. Extraordinary Quality and Performance Lutron invented solid-state dimming technology. Customers have come to expect extraordinary quality and reliability, and Lutron delivers. Fluorescent Lutron’s fluorescent dimmers control only fluorescent fixtures that incorporate rapid start fluorescent lamps and dimming ballasts. To achieve dimming, use a Lutron fluorescent dimmer and Lutron dimming ballast. Fully Variable Fan Speed Control • Fully variable fan speed • Used for controlling one or more ceiling paddle fan or exhaust fan Ganging and Derating A typical dimmer is wider than a switch. This increased size helps the dimmer dissipate the internal heat normal to operation (see above). Dimmers can be ganged together so the space between them is the same as for switches. To do this, a portion of the side sections must be removed. The side sections are grooved to make the removal easy using a pair of pliers. The removal of these side sections reduces the capacity (load) the dimmer can control. What is Ganging? All dimmers are designed to fit in an American Standard 1-gang electronic wallbox (backbox). Ganging is two or more controls mounted side by side in a series of connected wallboxes. What is derating? All dimmers rely on heat conduction and convection to keep the electronic components cool. Derating is the reduction of the maximum capacity (load) a unit can reliably handle when fins/side sections are removed. What is a fin/side section breakoff? A scored section along each side of the mounting plate/fin designed to be removed to facilitate ganging. Step 1 Determine the number of products to be ganged together. Step 2 Use this chart to determine the maximum wattage capacity for each dimmer. Control Type No Side Sections Removed (Full Capacity) Inside Side Section Removed (End Units) Two Side Sections Removed* (middle unit) DIMMERS: Incandescent 600W 500W 400W Dual Slide 300W/300W 250W/250W 200W/200W Electronic Low-Voltage 300W 250W 200W Magnetic Low-Voltage 600VA (450W) 500VA (375W) 400VA (300W) FAN-SPEED CONTROLS: Quiet 1.5A No Derating Required No Derating Required Fully Variable 5A 4A 3A QUIET FAN/LIGHT CONTROLS: Skylark (SFSQ-LF-) 1.5A/360W No Derating Required No Derating Required Skylark (S2-LFSQ-) 1.5A/300W No Derating Required No Derating Required Toggler (TG2-LFSQ-) 1.5A/300W No Derating Required No Derating Required FULLY VARIABLE FAN/LIGHT CONTROL: Skylark (S2-LF-) 2.5A/300W 2.1A/250W 1.7A/200W * Derating for Designer and Traditional Series Controls. Contact Lutron for derating information on Commercial Series Controls. Step 3 Ensure the maximum wattage or amperage capacity is suitable for the application. Heat Dissipation During normal operation, dimmers do get warm to the touch. Wallbox dimmer efficiency is typically around 99%. The other 1% is dissipated in the dimmer as heat. So a dimmer on a 600 W load would produce around 6 watts of heat. This is on the order of a small night light. Operating on it’s rated load, Lutron dimmers will stay below the UL limits of 140º F (60º C). Heat Sink Metal backplate that removes heat from the dimmer. The larger the heat sink, the cooler the components run, and the longer they last. Lutron uses a larger, sturdier heat sink to ensure that the dimmer will run cooler and last longer. Incandescent Standard light bulbs are incandescent line voltage (120 Volt). Incandescent lamps contain filaments that give off light when heated by an electric current. They offer excellent color rendering and are simple to replace. Newer types of incandescent bulbs include halogen and tungsten-halogen (quartz). ISO 9001 Lutron is certified for ISO 9001 Quality Standard. This is the most stringent of certifications, and ensures customers that Lutron designs, engineers, and manufactures all of its own products. Load Type Optimization Each dimmer is designed for the specific load type it is meant to control. This optimizes performance and reliability in the most demanding applications. Low-Voltage (12 Volt Lamps) Low-voltage lighting uses a transformer to step down the incoming line voltage (typically to 12 VAC). The bulbs contain a smaller filament than incandescent bulbs for higher efficiency and more precise beam control. These bulbs have a long life expectancy and bright white light. Low-voltage lighting may use magnetic or electronic transformers. Magnetic Low-Voltage (MLV) Recessed lights are most often magnetic low-voltage. Magnetic low-voltage lights tend to be larger and heavier than electronic low-voltage. Multi-Location Control from Each Location Multi-location dimmers can be used with accessory dimmers (Smart Remotes) for full control of the lights from up to 10 locations. Neon/Cold Cathode Highly inductive boost transformer for neon/cold cathode lighting. Potentiometer Slider or rotary mechanism that lets the user adjust the light level. The mechanical components of Lutron’s potentiometers are enclosed to ensure that dust and dirt do not clog the mechanism, causing poor performance. Quiet 3-Speed Fan Control • Three speeds plus off • Won't cause fan motor hum • Used for controlling one ceiling paddle fan only Single Pole Dimmer Single-pole dimmers provide control from one location. Triac The triac is the heart of a Lutron dimmer; the component responsible for the dimming function. This component actually turns a light on/off very rapidly (120 times-per-second). Lutron chooses more durable triacs that are tested to last over 10 years.
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