I will end up somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 to 10 dimmers. I really hope this doesnt become a problem for me. i would really like to avoid having to trouble shoot a speaker noise problem if at all possible. Does the RF interference come from a specific type bulb used in the lighting, or is it all related to the dimmer itself? One last question, Is the noise you get from the dimmers something an average listener would hear or is it more of a nuisance saound for the ferfectionists like me?
Thanks Again,
Tommy
Oh no, you hear it alright! It is a nasty buzz coming out of your speakers. With my first Maestros, the system was not fit to listen to with more than three or four dimmers active. If even one dimmer on the big loads was active it was a problem. Even now if you run all the dimmers at their half way point, you can make the buzz just audible in the room.
If you use the current Lutron Maestro you will be OK. Just make sure they were manufactured in the last 18 months or so. Those are Carterized. If you are planning to use that many, that is what you need.
The dimmer is what generates the RF, the type of bulb is irrelevant. The power rating of the bulbs does have an impact however, and the number of bulbs is significant. The heavier the dimmer is loaded, the more RF noise it will generate. The two dimmers in my main living/kitchen area that are loaded the most, and make the most noise. You can see there are a lot of bulbs in a grid pattern here: -
http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2467814_oiwUf#P-2-12
There is another grid pattern about the same size in the lower level. and quite a significant load in the studio itself. It is but these big loads that make the most noise.
http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2467814_oiwUf#129446227
If you are going to use 10 dimmers and I have 18, and I'm OK, unless you have the bad luck of having a piece of equipment unusually susceptible to RF, you will be OK. That's assuming you use the product I suggest. With that many dimmers, I would run your speaker leads in grounded steel conduit though. Since you are building a new house, that will be easily accomplished.