Bill - Can I use a PCS scenemaster switch to control dimming for low voltage lights( track lights)? - Also, will these switches work to control ceiling fans and if so, can I use the scene capabilities to simulate low, med, high??

Thanks in advance,
Dave

The PCS switch will work with low volatage lights if they have magnetic (passive) transformers. They will NOT work with electronics transformers.

The PCS dimmers will also work with ceiling fans and will give you the speed control you want. The problem is that some fans motors will buzz when controlled by ANY X10 dimmer switch and you really can't tell ahead of time which fans will buzz and which one's won't. If fan speed control is important I'd suggest holding off on ording all of your switches until you've tested the dimmer switch on your fans. That way, if it buzzes, you can order the non-dimming PCS switches for the fans and move the dimming switches to other lights.

Larry is correct, put a PCS on a electronic transformer light and you will more than likely kiss the switch good-by. It was reported on a previous thread that some brands of electronic transformer LV lights are dimmable, I have not found one, and burned up 2 switches trying. Lutron make a LV dimmer that does work with electronic dimmers and is IR controlled runs around $127, I just sold some to a customer with burnt PCS switches.

Larry's got a good point on the fan dimmer.

Bill
www.homeautomationnet.com

How can I tell if the transformer is electric vs. passive??

Thanks

I use transformers with lable
"Dimmable with Electronic Dimmer" and have no problems with X10 dimmers. But can't get advice - I use 220 V.

Electronic transformers are just that a bunch of small electrical components in a case. They are usually lightweight. Magnetic transformers are made of wire wound around an iron core, normally fairly heavy compared to electronic. Electronics are taking over because of cheaper cost and less weight.

Bill