Hot Dimmer Switch

[uptight]

The metal plate on my lutron dimmer switch is very hot to the touch when the switch is on. What might the problem be?

 

[andy]

The metal plate on my lutron dimmer switch is very hot to the touch when the switch is on. What might the problem be?

1: do you have it on low? could just be heat from making the light dimmer. how hot is hot?

 

[plugwash]

i'd guess the dimmer is either underrated or faulty, domestic dimmers should not get hot.

 

[uptight]

I’ve determined that the combined wattage of the halogen recessed lights connected to the switch is greater than that of the switch itself. Therefore causing it to work too hard and ultimately get hot. Solution will be to either switch to lower wattage bulbs or replace the switch with one that has a higher wattage capacity.