Cut Sheet

Technical Article
Leviton Mfg. Co., Inc. Lighting & Energy Solutions
20497 SW Teton Avenue, Tualatin, OR 97062 1-800-736-6682 Tech Line: 1-800-959-6004 Fax: [phone] www.leviton.com/les
© 2012 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Subject to change without notice.
PL-PD-F007 Rev. 2 04/06/2009
Terminology
Product: Renoir® II Architectural Wall Box Dimmers
A
rticle ID: 20091214-DLB-RenoirII-03
Date: July 30, 2012
–
REVISED
Summary: Defines terminology commonly used in this product line.
Information: Please find below the following terms and their definitions used in this product line:
 Master Dimmer – In a system with multiple dimmers and/or remotes, the master
dimmer is the dimmer connected to the load.
 Remote – In a system with multiple dimmers and/or remotes, the remotes are used to
control master dimmers from remote locations. Renoir II supports both remote
dimmers and switches. This means you can implement a traditional 3-way system
where you have a master dimmer and remote switch, or, you can implement a Renoir
II master/remote dimming system where you have a master and remote dimmer. With
Renoir II, you can also dim from a remote location.
 Volts – Technically the term voltage or volts describes electrical potential. However, it
is somewhat easier to think of it in terms of “pressure”. United States voltages are
either 120V or 277V. It’s important to know the voltage of your system to ensure that
the dimmer you select is capable of handling the voltage of your load. One of the
unique features of the Renoir II line is that all products with a neutral support both
voltages.
 Amps – Amps is a term that describes the flow rate of electricity “flow”. Amps is the
most accurate method to measure the load capacity of a dimmer or switch. You’ll find
amps as one of the terms we consistently use to describe the load handling capability
of the Renoir II dimmers. Other load capacity terms are “Watts” and “VA.” However,
these forms of measurement are dependent on the voltage being used, amps are not.
Many Renoir II dimmers support multiple voltages.
 Watts – Helps us quantity the “work” performed by electricity.
 Calculated as follows: Watts = Volts * Amps
 Only valid for resistive load such as an incandescent light bulb. Ballast or
transformer loads are not resistive loads. They are transformer or ballasted loads,
AKA inductive, capacitive, etc.
 VA – The VA is unit describing the “real power” or “apparent power” in circuit. VA is the
abbreviated form of the phase Volt-ampere. For a resistive load, the two are equal.
 For example, it is common that the VA rating of a transformer would be higher
than the Watts rating of the transformer. This is because the voltage & current are
not fully in sync with each other.
 “Input Power” of a transformer or ballast is often rated in VA. It also is sometimes
labeled “Input Watts”