New Dimmer Use case?

Product Support
1

On another forum I saw person with 74 led bulbs (40 & 34) on two circuits controlled by two switches. The person wanted to move to ZWave dimmers but of course each segment was far too many for a dimmer (150W max).

I was thinking you could use your 4 way virtual dimming scheme to overcome this? Split the segments down to a few 150W sections of LED lamps. Put a ZEN72/77 on each segment (master in original switch location and slaves wherever practical, even hidden). Then using direct association couple the segments you want to act as one together. When you control the master and all the slaves will follow. The load is balanced across the master and slave dimmers but the control is via the master.

I think this should work? You can hide the extra dimmers in a utility room or closet as they will never be used directly just the original location switch can have the “master” ZEN72/77 which in turns controls the others.

Might be a way to load shed a large number of pot lights but give the appearance of a single circuit. Call it something like “Virtual dimming for large LED light installations”.

Any reason this wouldn’t work?

2

Just be sure the “extra” dimmers are all visible, i.e., not buried in a wall or hidden in the attic, to keep compliant with the National Electrical Code. :slightly_smiling_face:

3

What if you call the extra switches remote dimmer modules, or remote dimmer contactors? Then are the switch accessibility rules relaxed? You should never need access to the “remote dimmer modules” except for maintenance. This interpretation might be rogue in the eyes of the NEC but a lighting contactor, commonly used for large runs of lights, can be buried in a cavity as long as it is accessible for maintenance.

Maybe Zooz needs a new product, a faceless ZEN72 called a remote dimmer module….. just like they have faceless GFCI units. Just a thought.

4

I think a module that is the form factor of a ZEN51/52 but is a dimmer with the capabilities of a 72 would be fantastic. :slight_smile:

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5

We have one in development :slight_smile: We don’t have a firm ETA, but we’re hopeful this year if everything goes smoothly!

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