Dimmers on a 3/4 way circuit

[AMD[H]unter]

I think I know the answer to this but I'm going to ask anyway. I have two circuits in my great room that have LED can lights that I'd like to dim. One is a 3 way, 2 switch circuit and the other is a 4 way, 3 switch circuit. If I add a dimmer, will that be the only switch I can use to actually dim the lights, and using the other switches would give me full intensity?

 

[aandpdan]

With a standard 3 way dimmer, you can only dim/brighten the lights from one location. The other switches will only turn the lights on or off - but, they will be at the intensity level set by the dimmer.

There are "remote" dimmers that you can adjust the brightness level from multiple locations.

 

[yeldogt]

You can buy them ------Lutron/phillips/leviton .. at one time very expensive .. reasonable today.

 

[AMD[H]unter]

With a standard 3 way dimmer, you can only dim/brighten the lights from one location. The other switches will only turn the lights on or off - but, they will be at the intensity level set by the dimmer.

There are "remote" dimmers that you can adjust the brightness level from multiple locations.

You can buy them ------Lutron/phillips/leviton .. at one time very expensive .. reasonable today.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I am just going to forego this idea and move forward with my home automation plan and use the Lutron Caseta system.

 

[AntonLargiader]

Lutron Maestro definitely does multi-dimming. I think Caseta is just the smart version of the same concept.

 

[Falcon67]

Look for smart lamps, like Hue or similar - your dimmer then is your phone. We started with a couple of dimmers but after moving to smart lighting in places that was kind of a waste.

 

[AMD[H]unter]

Look for smart lamps, like Hue or similar - your dimmer then is your phone. We started with a couple of dimmers but after moving to smart lighting in places that was kind of a waste.

I definitely don't want smart lamps. I don't want to be locked into a certain kind of lighting, and actually I only have one fixture that has an E26 socket anyway. I want circuit level control of the outside lights, shop, and interior lights in my place when I do go with a HA system. I was leaning towards a full-blown HomeSeer Zwave system but I decided the Lutron Caseta will do what I need for a fraction of the cost.

Edit:

Here's the two circuits I want to control, the cans in the ceiling. They are LED only cans with LED downlights in them. Hue, etc won't work in these. The other lights I want to control (on/off) are the shop lights though the double doors.

 

[AMD[H]unter]

Lutron Maestro definitely does multi-dimming. I think Caseta is just the smart version of the same concept.

Based on my research on the system you're right.

 

[terabitdan]

You might want to look at Samsung SmartThings. The GE Z-wave dimmers are cheaper than Lutron caseta, the SmartThings hub is about $99 and it’s very easy to setup.

I have z-wave switches for all the garage lighting, exterior lights and family room. Very simple to turn the outside lights on at dusk or when you arrive turn on inside lights.

Also, the WAF is great, looks and works like a regular switch. You do not need a hub to get started.

Cost should be close even with a hub, but the z-wave is far more flexible.


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