Dimmer2 overheating

[kariem112 3]

I have run several tests to check how the dimmer2 modules reacts on different light sources and amounts. It seems that when you use halogen light sources of more then 600 watts, and reduce the maximum brightness level enough so that the load does not exceed 250 watts, the dimmer gets overheated and turns itself off after some time. .. can anyone else confirm this behavior and perhaps know of a fix ?

 

[petergebruers 890]

Yes, I can confirm that behavior, I've tested that. The dimmer seems to detect over-current. If you use a 500 W halogen, even when you reduce the dimming level to an average power < 250 W, the dimmer will still shut down (most of the times). As far as I know you cannot disable the over-current protection, or the thermal protection. This spec is indeed lower than that of Dimmer 1...

[kariem112 3]

Yes, I can confirm that behavior, I've tested that. The dimmer seems to detect over-current. If you use a 500 W halogen, even when you reduce the dimming level to an average power < 250 W, the dimmer will still shut down (most of the times). As far as I know you cannot disable the over-current protection, or the thermal protection. This spec is indeed lower than that of Dimmer 1...

Well, it is probably good that this safety future can't be disabled, but the annoying thing is that the dimmer also shuts down when the lights are not turned on... 

[petergebruers 890]

I've checked my notes on this test and I didn't mention that the dimmer was shutting down while it was off. Maybe my test was too short, or maybe I wasn't paying attention. I did come up with a possible explanation. When you power on the dimmer (per default) it will start to calibrate (or in a 2-wire setup: when you change the bulb). That calibration can trigger the protection mechanisms of the dimmer. My dimmer calibrated up to 460 W, then shut down. Sounds plausible?

[kariem112 3]

I should test that to be sure but it sounds very plausible