As the new PIXIE SDD300BTAM is the Gen3 compact form factor it is now possible to create multi-gang wall plate greater than 3 up to 6 gang wall plates with dimmers.
As with all dimmers, mounting them in close proximity to each other AND other modules in the wall plates requires a derating on the maximum dimming capacity of the dimmer.
The graph below details this derating.
You can download further documents here:
Is this just due to heat factor?
Spot on – that’s exactly why – Energy doesn’t disappear it just changes state, in this case, the energy being phase cut is converted to heat.
I figured as much, I just did a commercial install with 5x 6gangs, all dimmers. since I found out about the derating, I have added some cooling fans for longevity. Thanks
does this derating factor also apply to mechs in wall cavity (behind touch screen)
This de-rating is related to heat dissipation. When you phase cut dim ( trailing edge in this case) you cut some of the energy from every cycle and as energy doesn’t disappear it just changes state – in this case into heat – the more dimming sources with load attached, the more heat generated. It would be unusual to have a touch panel and mechs mounted at the same wall box location. Remember the Touch Panel does not carry any load and has no on board dimming, it communicates to the mesh of master devices in the field. If you did happen to install the PIXIE smart dimmers in the same wall cavity the only safe recommendation from us to you, is to abide by the same derating conditions listed in the installation manual as we have no concept of the air flow and physical space into which these are mounted.