Instruction Leaflets: VARILIGHT Safety Dimmers

Instructions For Fitting VARILIGHT Safety Dimmerswitches

This dimmerswitch complies with European Safety Regulations (IEC 669-2-1 or BSEN 60669-2-1)

Thank you for choosing a VARILIGHT safety dimmerswitch. This dimmerswitch is designed for mains voltage lighting. Use only on an electricity supply of 216-253 volts AC.

The maximum load stated on label is for mains incandescent lighting (eg. GLS lamps) or good quality mains halogen bulbs (eg. GU10, G9 and similar HiSpot lamps). For candle-bulbs the maximum load is 75% of that stated on the label, e.g. 300W for a 400W dimmerswitch.

Do not use this dimmerswitch for low voltage lighting transformers, fluorescent bulbs, energy saving bulbs or fans. The dimmerswitch will eventually burn out if used for these applications. Incorrect use will make your guarantee invalid. Special VARILIGHT dimmerswitches are available for low voltage lighting. VARILIGHT fan regulators are also available.

VARILIGHT Safety Dimmerswitches

Your dimmerswitch is protected against overload. If an overload occurs it will automatically switch off the lights and slowly turn them on and off until the overload is removed and the dimmerswitch has returned to its usual operating temperature.

To prevent this occurring, make sure that you load the dimmer correctly. Check the label on the back of your dimmerswitch before wiring it up. The label tells you the maximum load for the dimmer and also the minimum load. Dimmerswitches must not be overloaded or underloaded. If the dimmerswitch makes the lights flicker it is likely that it is underloaded. Calculating the load for each dimmerswitch module is easy. Just add up the wattages of all of the bulbs that the dimmerswitch module controls. For optimum energy-saving it is recommended that the minimum load for any dimmerswitch is 100W. This way you will save more energy and still be able to dim the lights to the level that you want. Don't forget that the added advantage of a dimmerswitch is that it will also extend bulb life.

Heavy Duty Dimmerswitches

Our 800W dimmerswitches are designed to run hot. Most of this heat is dissipated through the front plate. Each of these units must be mounted into its own recessed wall box with an effective depth of 25mm from the front of the wall. A proprietary spacer between the switch and the wall may help you achieve the required depth. Do not mount two of these devices side-by-side in a double-sized wall box.

Fitting Your Dimmerswitch

Read the instructions below carefully. Incorrect installation may damage the dimmer beyond repair. In case of any doubt or difficulty consult a qualified electrician.

1. Switch off at the mains, then remove the existing switch and disconnect the wiring from the switch terminals at the rear, taking note of the present wiring of the switch and the marking on the terminals. Where there are two or more wires together in the old switch, they must be kept together in the dimmerswitch.

2. Most models can be fitted into a box with a minimum depth of 16mm, i.e. a normal plaster depth flush box or a normal surface mounted switch box. A box having 4 fixing lugs cannot be used without modifying it. The top and bottom lugs must be broken off or bent flat.

3. To connect the wiring for 1-way circuits or for 2-way circuits refer to the diagrams overleaf under the heading "Typical Lighting Circuits". If you are using a dimmerswitch in a 2-way circuit then you can only use one dimmerswitch in the circuit (an ordinary switch must be at the other end) and that dimmerswitch must be a push-on/push-off model.* Take care that no bare wires project out of the terminals. Keep wires together in a terminal if they were together in your old switch.

4. Dimmerswitches having a metal front plate must be earthed by means of the earthing point provided on the dimmer.

5. After connecting the wires screw the dimmerswitch gently into the wall box so that the front plate is not distorted or cracked. Do not trap the wiring between the rear of the dimmer and the back of the wall box.

6. Once installation is complete. Switch on the mains supply and switch on the dimmer, turning the control knob to give the desired light level.

A slight buzzing may be heard from the dimmerswitch in operation. This is quite normal.

* Special VARILIGHT multi-way touch & remote dimmerswitches are available for dimming from more than one location.

GUARANTEE

Important: In case of any defect return the dimmer to our service department. This guarantee is in addition to and not in derogation of the statutory rights of the purchaser and is offered so that you may have the benefit of our technical facilities. Should any defect occur in this unit within 12 months of its purchase we will replace or repair the defective unit free of charge provided that:-

a) The unit has been correctly fitted according to the instructions and has not been used with fluorescent bulbs, energy saving bulbs, or overloaded beyond its rating, and has only been used on 200-250V A.C.

b) The dimmer module has not been tampered with or taken apart. However for your convenience it is perfectly in order to remove a faulty dimmer module from multi-gang dimmers by pulling off the knob and unscrewing the nut under the knob. You will then still have the remaining modules working whilst we service your faulty module.

c) The unit is securely packed and safely returned to:-

Service Department, Carylls Lea, Faygate, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 4SJ together with a letter stating the guarantee registration number below, the date and place of purchase, the type and wattage of the lighting or other load being controlled and the details of the fault.

GUARANTEE REGISTRATION NUMBER 651

Typical Lighting Circuits

There are two basic types of lighting circuit, so make sure you have the correct dimmerswitch for your lighting circuit.

1. 1-Way Circuits

In 1-way lighting circuits the light or lights are controlled by one switch. Your dimmerswitch replaces this switch and can be a 1-way rotary model (Figure 1), or a 1 or 2 way push-on/push-off model (Figure 2).

(The advantage of a push-on/push-off dimmerswitch is that the dimmer can be switched on and off with a push action, while keeping the lighting at the level you have chosen.)

Remove your old switch and copy the wiring configuration for the dimmerswitch. The wires from your old switch

can be connected either way round to the "C" and "L1" terminals of the dimmerswitch. If you are using a push-on/push-off

dimmerswitch there is a spare terminal (L2) that you will not need to use for a 1-way circuit.

2. 2-Way Circuits

2-way lighting circuits have two switches turning the same light or lights on and off from two different locations (e.g.. at the top and bottom of the stairs). You must only replace one of these switches with a dimmerswitch or the lights will flicker. See Figures 3 and 4 which show typical 2-way circuits. Remove your old switch and copy the wiring configuration for the dimmer.

Remove your old switch and copy the wiring configuration for your dimmerswitch. The wire(s) fitted in the "common" terminal of the old switch should be fitted into the "C" terminal of the dimmerswitch. The wires fitted into the other two terminals of the old switch should be fitted either way round into terminals "L1" and "L2" of the dimmerswitch.

Multi-Gang Dimmerswitches (with 2, 3 or 4 control knobs)

To fit multi-gang dimmerswitches treat each group of terminals at the back of the unit as a separate dimmerswitch wiring them into the lighting circuits as described above. If required, one terminal from each dimmer module may be joined together with a short length of wire to copy the wiring configuration of the old switch.

Wiring Diagrams

Typical 1-way Circuits

(For single dimmerswitches or each module of a multi-gang dimmerswitch)

Figure 1 Figure 2

Using a 1-way Dimmerswitch Using a 1 or 2-way Dimmerswitch