[R-390] OT? Dimmer buzz, solution?

[Dave or Debbie Metz]

Actually, I have a Lutron IR remote control dimmer already installed. While 
I am not sure if the remote control unit does or does not have the toroidal 
filtering, it was about $30, so not cheap. However, that is something to 
call lutron about next week. As far as hacking into this unit, not sure I 
want to do that. First, it works great, and is of course UL 
approved.  Somehow , cutting it apart on a bandsaw might void that approval 
rating. I assume that this is something one could make from available parts 
from Mouser but I just was hoping to get a point in that direction without 
tearing this apart. What is also haunting me is that there is no ground 
requirement. Given that this is in series with a hot leg, it had better be 
well insulated to the case.  Maybe the experts here can help me with that 
understanding. Next week I will order a non remote Nova series  600 and see 
if that also has the desired reduction in the hash. Thanks!
73's
dave


At 01:55 PM 7/1/2005, you wrote:
>You may only need to get a better quality dimmer, the ones in local stores 
>(for $10.00 or so) will probably not have superior RFO filtering built 
>in....The Lutron Nova series ($25 price range) has excellent filtering 
>built in.  I use them here.
>
>From:
>http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/touchlamp.html
>
>"The Lutron NOVA series uses toroidal chokes that provide a significant 
>level of RFI suppression.
>I bought a Lutron model N-600, which will handle up to 600 watts of 
>incandescent lighting. Temporarily installed in my radio shack, a generic 
>light dimmer produced an S9+ reading at 230 kHz (an arbitrary noisy 
>frequency). The N-600 produced a reading of S3, a difference of about 40 
>dB. Admittedly, this is not zero, but installing the N-600 some distance 
>away provided a reduction in RFI that is very gratifying. Indeed, I new 
>hear new noise sources, heretofore undetectable through the dimmer din.
>
>You're not likely to find these dimmers at your local discount store, and 
>they are not inexpensive. Check for the availability of these dimmers at a 
>lighting fixture store and expect to pay about $25 apiece for them. "