Rope Light Wiring Question Re: Dimming

584 Views 4 Replies 3 Participants Last post by tmnjus, Dec 30, 2005

Flyhigh

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2005

I've searched and found a few posts that touch on what I'm looking for but I'd appreciate a more specific answer. I'd like to have rope lighting run tucked in along a ceiling tray. I'd like to be able to dim the rope lighting as I know many of you do. I'm not sure yet if I'm going to go with the Lutron Spacer system, or Insteon (Graphic Eye is too expensive for me) to control 5 zones all from one location in one room only. Either way, I'm unsure as to how the rope lighting will get hardwired to the dimmer switch. I don't want to put an outlet on a dimmer as I feel that violates code and safety. I'm more concerned with safety then code, although sometimes they go hand in hand. Would it be safe to cut the end of the plug off of the rope lighting and then connect the open wires inside a junction box, hidden in the ceiling tray, to the standard wire that runs behind the drywall and connects to the dimmer switch? Is there a better way to do this? Also, if I want rope lighting elsewhere, like around my riser, could this be connected in the same way (both sets of rope lighting in 1 junction box to be wired to 1 dimmer)?

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tmnjus

· #2 · Dec 29, 2005

If you are considering Insteon, why not just go with a lamplink module. The rope lite would plug into this and would be dimmable. This is what I am planning on for my 3 ceiling trays. I will actually have 2 modules in each tray, so I can have 2 different colored ropes, each seperately dimmable. Your way would work, but I think you would loose some flexibility.

Tom

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emcgrath

· #3 · Dec 29, 2005

I did exactly what you are doing in two rooms in my house. The reason why you can't dim an outlet by code is that someone might plug in a motor or other non dimmable device in the outlet. If the outlet is up in a tray on the ceiling and you write "ROPE LIGHTING ONLY!" on the box then I think that you meet the spirit of the rule. My inspector approved them with no problem.

In my mind running zip cord into a jbox is as much of a safety issue, if not more. How would you secure the power cord to the box without crushing it and how would you provide strain relief so that if someone tugged on the cord it wouldn't break off at the box leaving live wires? Plugs have the advantage that they are designed so that they come out before the cord separates.

I don't have the answer that is both safe and meets the letter of the code but in my opinion you can do a safe installation with an outlet.

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Flyhigh

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 30, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmnjus
If you are considering Insteon, why not just go with a lamplink module. The rope lite would plug into this and would be dimmable. This is what I am planning on for my 3 ceiling trays. I will actually have 2 modules in each tray, so I can have 2 different colored ropes, each seperately dimmable. Your way would work, but I think you would loose some flexibility.

Tom

How does the Lamplink work? Will I be able to control it remotely as I would any other dimmer with Insteon? How does it send the signal to the dimmer switch? If you are going with 2 modules, does each require a seperate dimmer switch or a seperate electrical line to seperate outlets?

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tmnjus

· #5 · Dec 30, 2005

Lamplinc is a module that plugs into a standard outlet. It can be controlled remotely just like all other Insteon devices. The outlet does not require any special wiring. You can have multiple Insteon devices respond to the same remote controller (Controlinc, Keypadlinc, etc) This is called a Scene. The Lamplincs get their signals via the 115V power to the outlet. For more info on Isteon, check out http://www.insteon.net/products.html I plan on using 2 Lamplinc modules for my tray lighting. I have one duplex outlet in each tray that I will plug in the 2 Lamplinks (for a total of 4 modules). I am only doing this so I can have both white and blue rope light in each tray.

As was mentioned above, if the outlet is installed in the ceiling or in the tray, it can be controlled via a standard wall dimmer (local codes may vary). I had originally planned on doing this, and had it wired this way. It passed the inspection with no problem due to the location of the outlet. I am now going to bypass the dimmer switch and wire the outlet direct. I will use the extra space in the switchbox on the wall for an additional Switchlinc or Keypadlinc.

I will also be using a separate module to control my step lighting. I want the flexibility to have that dimmable independently of any other lighting.

Insteon is not as full featured as some of the other options out there, but it will do everything I want it to at a fraction of the price.

Tom

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