Leviton "Air Gap Switch" on Dimmer Controls 
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Posted by Tom on July 2, 2008, 12:41 pm
Please log in for more thread options power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch" before changing a light bulb. The air gap switch isn't the easiest switch to get at nor is flipping switches in the breaker panel - both seem troublesome just to change a light bulb. OK, why is this important? | |||||||||||||
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Posted by BruceR on July 2, 2008, 1:07 pm
Please log in for more thread options inadvertently shock yourself. Some might say that the sudden load of the bulb could damage the bulb or the switch but I've never experienced that. | |||||||||||||
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Posted by Tom on July 2, 2008, 1:27 pm
Please log in for more thread options If I understand you correctly, you have Leviton dimmers and have changed
many bulbs without using the switch? I can understand the safety rational but it does seem a bit awkward since that switch is anything but easy to operate. I would guess that most would forget about it or simply ignore it altogether given its PITA factor. > It's a safety feature so that when you change a bulb you don't
> inadvertently shock yourself. Some might say that the sudden load of the > bulb could damage the bulb or the switch but I've never experienced that. > > >> According to the installation instructions, it states to disconnect the
>> power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch" before changing a light >> bulb. The air gap switch isn't the easiest switch to get at nor is >> flipping switches in the breaker panel - both seem troublesome just to >> change a light bulb. OK, why is this important? >> >
> | |||||||||||||
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Posted by BruceR on July 2, 2008, 1:53 pm
Please log in for more thread options Exactly, I usually just screw in a new bulb since I know better that to
stick my finger in the socket. Never caused a problem with the switch or the bulb. That's been my experience using X10/Leviton/Switchlinc switches since 1984. > If I understand you correctly, you have Leviton dimmers and have
> changed many bulbs without using the switch? > > I can understand the safety rational but it does seem a bit awkward > since that switch is anything but easy to operate. I would guess that > most would forget about it or simply ignore it altogether given its > PITA factor. > >> It's a safety feature so that when you change a bulb you don't
>> inadvertently shock yourself. Some might say that the sudden load of >> the bulb could damage the bulb or the switch but I've never >> experienced that. >> >> >>> According to the installation instructions, it states to disconnect
>>> the power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch" before >>> changing a light bulb. The air gap switch isn't the easiest switch >>> to get at nor is flipping switches in the breaker panel - both seem >>> troublesome just to change a light bulb. OK, why is this important? >>> >>
>> >
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Posted by Tom on July 2, 2008, 2:23 pm
Please log in for more thread options Thanks, Bruce. Thanks for your help on the other thread too.
While I was waiting, I called Leviton and asked the same thing. It was your answers that helped me understand theirs. The rep vacillated on the point about protecting the switch while emphasising the "safety" aspect. It didn't take a rocket scientist to realize that he"had" to state the party line about protecting the switch. It just irks me that features like this are added because of our litigative society that believes that caution and common sense are someone elses responsibility. > Exactly, I usually just screw in a new bulb since I know better that to
> stick my finger in the socket. Never caused a problem with the switch or > the bulb. That's been my experience using X10/Leviton/Switchlinc switches > since 1984. > > >> If I understand you correctly, you have Leviton dimmers and have changed
>> many bulbs without using the switch? >> >> I can understand the safety rational but it does seem a bit awkward since >> that switch is anything but easy to operate. I would guess that most >> would forget about it or simply ignore it altogether given its PITA >> factor. >> >>> It's a safety feature so that when you change a bulb you don't
>>> inadvertently shock yourself. Some might say that the sudden load of the >>> bulb could damage the bulb or the switch but I've never experienced >>> that. >>> >>> >>>> According to the installation instructions, it states to disconnect the >>>> power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch" before changing a >>>> light bulb. The air gap switch isn't the easiest switch to get at nor >>>> is flipping switches in the breaker panel - both seem troublesome just >>>> to change a light bulb. OK, why is this important? >>>> >>> >>> >>
>> >
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> the power or switch it off using the "Air Gap Switch" before changing
> a light bulb. The air gap switch isn't the easiest switch to get at
> nor is flipping switches in the breaker panel - both seem troublesome
> just to change a light bulb. OK, why is this important?
>