The Metal Rotary Dimmer by Forbes & Lomax is a push-to-switch, rotate-to-dim lighting control based on the elegant nickel and brass switches of the 1930s. Simple, timeless, and refined. Rotary dimmers can be mixed with toggle switches, push buttons and outlets on the same plate. Established in 1987, Forbes & Lomax is a UK-based heritage electrical brand recognized by architects and designers for refined switch and outlet design. FAQ Can I order online? Yes, if your lights are standard dimmable LED, you know the gang count, and the plate is 4 gang or under. Standard means a line voltage bulb or fixture that dims on its own, with no driver, transformer or power supply in the run. If there is one, the module is chosen by that device rather than the fixture, so check Electrical & LED Compatibility below. What should I confirm? Junction box depth and how many circuits run to the location. Your electrician will know both. When should I request a custom quote? Drivers, transformers, 0-10 V, 5 gang or more, or anything you are unsure about should be confirmed by our sales team in order to ensure compliance and compatibility. Please reach out to us at [email protected]. Can I install it myself? No. Line voltage, licensed electrician only. Full specifications, module ratings and installation requirements are below. Electrical & LED Compatibility Selecting the Right Module The module is set by what your fixture is and what drives it, not by wattage alone. Measure the total connected load on that dimmer, then select from the table. Your load Select Limit Dimmable LED, line voltage LED (TRIAC) Max. 120 W Incandescent or halogen LED (TRIAC) Max. 300 W Incandescent or halogen above 300 W Incandescent Max. 500 W Magnetic low voltage transformer MLV Max. 600 VA, min. 50 W Electronic low voltage or reverse phase Not supported Non-dimming toggle only 0-10 V or 1-10 V dimmable drivers 0-10 V (Linear) Max. 20 drivers, power pack required On/off only, any load Non-dimming Max. 720 W Supply: Line voltage, for conventionally wired installations. LED Module: Available to order online in every finish. Specialty Modules: Incandescent, magnetic low voltage and 0-10 V are available in every finish by request. Minimum Load: No formal minimum is stated for the LED module, however 5 W minimum is recommended in order for the dimmer to register that a fixture is connected. 0-10 V Wiring: A current-sinking signal dimmer. It connects to lighting drives through a Lutron PP-DV power pack or equivalent relay, purchased separately. All connections must be Class 2 and the install requires additional wiring beyond a conventional dimmer. Magnetic Low Voltage: For magnetic transformers only, 600 VA maximum with a 50 W minimum load. Must not be used with solid-state electronic low voltage. Electronic Low Voltage: Not supported. An ELV or reverse phase dimmer is not made in this range. Where a fixture requires one, a non-dimming toggle switch is the only option. Dimming LED Dimming LED is difficult across the whole lighting industry, not just this range. Compatibility can usually be predicted from a fixture's specification sheet, which is why we ask for it, but some trial and error is normal. Send your lighting schedule to [email protected] and we will review it with Forbes & Lomax. Compatibility Notice: There is no guarantee that every fixture labelled dimmable is suitable for smooth dimming on a TRIAC module. Performance depends on the make of fixture and the driver used. This is an industry standard and may require prior confirmation or testing. Dimming Range: Some flickering can occur at the top or bottom of the range, even on a compatible fixture. Optimizing the dimming range resolves most cases. See Installation below. Bulb Selection: For screw-in LED, Philips Ultra Definition is recommended. These dim smoothly to low levels and hold colour quality across the range. On-Site Testing: Where a fixture is unusual and certainty is needed before a full order, a single dimmer can be purchased and tested in position. Circuit Loading: One lighting type per dimmer. Recessed lights and a chandelier on the same circuit will perform poorly even where each is individually compatible. Installation Electrician: Must be installed by a licensed electrician, in accordance with appropriate electrical codes and regulations. Wiring: Supplied as 3-way, works as single pole or 3-way. All modules wire conventionally except 0-10 V. Circuit Position: A rotary dimmer can be wired at only one position on a 3-way or 4-way circuit. Every other position must be a toggle or non-dimming rotary switch. Junction Box Depth: Recessed at least 1/8" below the finished wall surface. Refer to the Junction Box Assembly Diagram below. Check existing boxes before ordering. Non-Dimming: Rotary switches are available where a rotary style is wanted but only push on/off is required. Optimizing: The dimmer selects the correct dimming mode automatically once connected. Set the minimum and maximum levels for your fixtures, then apply the Program Lock. On a compatible fixture this resolves most flickering. Changing the mode by hand is a last resort, after optimizing has been tried. Momentary Switches: Not line voltage. They work only with home automation systems including Lutron Homeworks, Crestron, Savant, Vantage and Control 4. Areas of Application: Light-duty commercial, residential. Requesting a Quote Plates of 5 gang or more, and any circuit with a driver, transformer or 0-10 V dimming, are quoted by our sales team. Send the following to [email protected] and we will price it against your schedule. Fixture make and model for every light on the circuit Driver or transformer type, if there is one Total connected wattage per dimmer Number of switching positions on the circuit Gang count and what else shares the plate Finish Junction box depth on site Specifications Plate Sizes All plates are 4.53" (115 mm) high and 1.8 mm thick. Gang Plate Width Availability 1 Gang 2.76" (70 mm) Order online 2 Gang 4.53" (115 mm) Order online 3 Gang 6.38" (162 mm) Order online 4 Gang 8.27" (210 mm) Order online 5 Gang 10.08" Made to order 6 Gang 11.89" Made to order 7 Gang 13.70" Made to order 8 Gang 15.51" Made to order Dimmers, toggle switches, push buttons and outlets can be mixed on the same plate. Multi-gang plates are supplied to accommodate as many devices as required. Contact us with your device schedule for a quote. Device Dimensions Knob: Ø 0.79" (20 mm). One dimmer fits per gang of a standard junction box. Materials Plate: Solid metal, finished by hand. Plate and knob are supplied in the same finish. Aged Brass: A plate finish only. Aged Brass mechanisms are not made, so the knob and screws are supplied unlacquered brass and patina alongside the plate rather than matching on arrival. Living Finishes: Unlacquered Polished Brass and Aged Brass darken and develop a patina with handling and exposure. This is intended and not a defect, and variation between pieces is normal. Lacquered Finishes: Nickel Silver, Brushed Stainless Steel, Antique Bronze, Lacquered Brushed Brass and Matte Brass hold a consistent colour and will not change. Matte Brass: Carries a baked lacquer coating that resists fingerprints. Care: Wipe clean with a dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth. Avoid chemical or alcohol-based cleaners. Available Finishes Unlacquered Polished Brass Aged Brass (plate finish only) Nickel Silver Brushed Stainless Steel Antique Bronze Lacquered Brushed Brass Matte Brass Certifications & Standards Rotary Dimmers: Conform to UL 1472, certified to CSA C22.2 No. 184. Review and ensure all certifications are applicable for your local code. Product Downloads Product Sheets Rotary Dimmer Cut Sheet Plate Dimensions Forbes & Lomax Brochure Module Documentation 120 W LED / 300 W Incandescent — Wiring Instructions 120 W LED — Optimization Instructions 120 W LED — Compatibility & Troubleshooting Tips 500 W Incandescent / Halogen — Installation Instructions 600 VA Magnetic Low Voltage — Installation Instructions 0-10 V — Installation Instructions Installation & Assembly General Instructions for Electricians (Switches & Dimmers) Junction Box Assembly Diagram (Rotary Dimmer) Circuitry Visual Aid Home Automation Integration Plates & Finishes Finish Swatches Custom Engraving Plate Cleaning Guidelines Sustainability Statement Authenticity Copyright Notice. This text belongs to Casson Hardware Specialties, Toronto, first published at cassonhardware.com. Any other site showing it has copied it without authorization and is not affiliated with Casson Hardware Specialties. Casson Hardware sells online only at cassonhardware.com, and orders placed elsewhere will not be fulfilled.
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