[RFI] Quiet Dimmers For 120V Incandescents

[Mike Ryan]

I just installed 4 LUTRON dimmers here during a remodel of the kitchen and 
dining rooms. As soon as I get power to them and get them working, I will 
report to the group.  But based on someone else's experiences with them is 
why I bought just this brand at $29+ a copy.  Hopefully I will get my 
money's worth and won't even NOTICE THEM at all.  - Mike

-----Original Message----- 
From: Dale
Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 12:40 AM
To: jim at audiosystemsgroup.com ; Rfi List
Subject: Re: [RFI] Quiet Dimmers For 120V Incandescents

Jim,

Full disclosure: I have not purchased dimmers in at least 5 years or so. 
OTOH, my house has 4 dimmers for incandescent lights and 3 speed controls 
for ceiling fans (these are wall-mounted like a lamp dimmer - not remote 
controls).  I have had zero RFI from these units, and they are all Lutron 
brand, Decora style, with internal neon lamp illuminator and a very small 
slider (for the dimming action or speed control).  I had to replace one that 
was original to the house (now 13 years old) and the other was for a ceiling 
light I added.

I have 2 portable AM radios that I use around the house.  Neither of them 
has heard a peep from any of the dimmers or speed controls.  I also have an 
AM/FM tuner that is part of the stereo system, and it has a loop antenna for 
AM.  That loop sits close to the wall, and I believe that there are Romex 
power wires in that wall.  If I am listening to a weak AM station, I can 
hear a small amount of buzz from 1 dimmer or speed control, but that's it. 
The AM radios are my best RFI indicators, since the HF antennas are far away 
from the house.

I had several Lutron dimmers in my house back in IL.  All of those were the 
rotary knob type.  I managed to burn out a couple of them, but again, no RFI 
to radios.

As I recall, in all cases, the packaging on the dimmers I bought said that 
they had RFI suppression.  My guess is that it is pretty simple L-C 
filtering, but it seems to be effective.  I would suggest that your neighbor 
go buy one dimmer that says "RFI Suppressed" on the package and try it 
before buying many of them.  The decors style Lutrons are not cheap - I 
think they are around $30 or so these days.  However, they seem to be worth 
the cost.

My 2 cent's worth and of course, your neighbor's mileage may vary.

73, Dale
WA9ENA


-----Original Message-----
>From: Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
>Sent: Aug 24, 2013 10:05 PM
>To: Rfi List <rfi at contesting.com>
>Subject: [RFI] Quiet Dimmers For 120V Incandescents
>
>I'm looking for some of these for a neighbor ham.  Looking for first
>hand experience from someone who knows for sure. :)
>
>73, Jim K9YC
>
>
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