Do I need a bigger breaker than a 20 amp for 8 fixtures?
Question:I have 12ft of Cooper Wiring Emarald track lighting Model P6502W, which is 3 tracks put together to reach max allowed length. This contains 9 x 120v-60hz /12v-50w Dimmable Power Supplies. A chandelier with 6 x 40w bulbs. A GE Profile Gas Stove model JGB920. A pendulum 120v 50w. And 2 x 60w bulbs in the garage. I'm not sure if there are any other wall outlets attached to this circuit breaker.
The reason I am asking this question, is because I attached a Low Voltage Electronic Dimmer 600w (Cooper Wiring Aspire) to my 12ft track lighting system. However, when the lights are turned on there is a loud buzzing coming from each of the the transformers. I attached an incadecent dimmer (same v and type) to see if my original information was wrong, but this still buzzed, just with a lesser tone.
Please help!
Answers:
20 amp should do the job
a 120v 20 amp breaker will safely handle 2400 watts (or volt amperes). I don't think overloading the circuit is what is causing the buzz. you definitely dont want to use a bigger breaker, as the wire for your lighting is most likely rated for 15 amps. Any motor loads on this circuit may contribute to some interference. Is the buzz coming from the fixture or the dimmer itself??
The humming isn't right. That's not normal, and changing the breaker won't cure it. Check your connections. Are you grounded correctly?
you can't just change a breaker and not change the wires. you could burn your house down.the breaker is not tripping and it has nothing to do with the buzzing.. the buzzing ,actually vibrating, is a characteristic of transformers.you are hearing the 60Hz ,or cycles per second, alternating current going through the core .. shut it off and make sure the transformer is secured to what ever surface it is on, i.e. the screws are tight and screws around it are tight, including the cover..as the transformer vibrates it could be transferring the vibration to metal parts and make that buzzing noise...
If the breaker hasn't blown, don't increase its amperage.
Find out for sure which dimmer you need. This is important because you can damage your power supplies. There are TWO types of low voltage dimmer, and one main type of incandescent dimmer. I do suspect that a Low Voltage Electronic dimmer is the correct type. Find out for sure.
Question: All buzzing aside, does the dimmer work (dim the lights)?
If no... you will have to locate manufacture's recommended dimmer.
If yes... you still might have the wrong dimmer, but we can proceed. Isolate everything. Treat this track lighting system as a lab. Be sure that the dimming circuit is only dimming the track, and not something else. Turn off and unplug everything else.
Take the track lights down, attach only one power supply, one fixture. Get it to dim with virtually no buzz, start increasing the load. Find out and be sure of the load of each supply and light. An overloaded dimmer will buzz like mad until it fails or burns.
Don't hurt yourself... you may need professional help if none of the above helps.
Good luck.
Check all connections for quality wiring and wire conditions.
Maybe bad transformer if going to 12V, also getting hot.
I installed mine with a quality step-down Transformer, so it won't hum next year too.
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