[SOLVED]Use 1 Sx cable connected to multiple Dimmers?

[Archidee 0]

Question:

Can I use 1 Sx cable connected to multiple Dimmers? (figure 1)

Or can I  connect it to 1 Dimmer to feed multiple S# (figure 2)

 

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[I.Srodka 4]

Hi @Archidee!

 

Welcome to our community!

 

I must admit I haven't tested this solution but when the S1 is disconnected the power goes to Sx, in this case, randomly switched off dimmers could influence the other dimmers.

 

As far as figure 2 is considered, without Sx, the circuit is not complete.

[petergebruers 1,261]

What Mr @I.Srodka said, plus:

 

Short answer: it is a violation of the schematic diagrams in the manual, so the safe answer is "your schematic diagrams are not OK so please do not do that".

 

But let's dig a bit deeper... It might cause a short circuit.

 

Sx is at the same potential as L (the resistance between L an Sx is negligible). If some of your "L" on that schematic diagram belong to different circuits (they go to different circuit breakers) that is a major error. If you open one breaker, current will flow through the other breaker. It is a complete no-go! Even worse, if you have a three phase supply, they might be called L1 L2 and L3 and that will cause a short circuit.

 

If you are desperate, because you cannot add a wire (for Sx), there is still one thing you can try, but you cannot complain if it does not work or cause flickering or random turn-on or turn-off as mentioned before... If all "L" and "N" are identical, on one and only one circuit breaker (all dimmers) then you can connect switches between any L and any S. I have not implemented this solution, but it has been mentioned a few times on this forum, but not with that many switches and certainly not with two or more dimmers. I also think you'll have long cable runs and it might cause issues with turn on and turn off.

 

[Archidee 0]

Ok thanks. Does not seem a valid option.

Any script available to pair a S2 switch of one dimmer as a virtual switch to a real S1 switch of another dimmer via zwave directly or via the HC2?

(Will post as a seperate question)

Edited December 30, 2017 by Archidee