Diva dimmer works, Caseta dimmer doesn't?

[ryan@ryanlogsdon.com]

Hi,

I tried installing a Caseta 3-way dimmer (these ones) to control a string of dimmable lights. The lights stay on at about 10% max brightness always. There's no way to turn them off, and they won't dim to any other level. The Caseta buttons seem to have no control over the light.

I thought the switch might be bad, so I bought another and saw the same thing.

I tried putting in a Lutron Diva dimmer (this one), and the string of lights works perfectly. It'll turn off and on, and you can dim them to any desired level.

Why might the Diva work when the Caseta doesn't? And is there anything I can do to make a Caseta dimmer work there?

Thanks,
Ryan

[Garrett S.]

The internals of the Diva will be different from the Caseta dimmers so they will have slightly different compatibilities with different LED lights. You can find all of the LED lights that have passed testing with our dimmers at Lutron.com/LEDFinder.

If you have the make and model of the LED lights you are using, we can take a look to see if we have any kind of testing with the LEDs.

[ryan@ryanlogsdon.com]

Hi Garrett,

This is the string of lights I'm using, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YFCKMY3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks,
Ryan

[randyc]

The Diva has electronics in it but it is a mechanical dimmer (you have to slide the knob to raise/lower). The Caseta is a 100% electronics dimmer (you push a button to raise/lower).

The Diva supports 3-way/4-way switching (you can only dim from the Diva location). The Caseta is single location only. If you have 2 locations, there is a procedure for rewiring the switches so the 2nd location can provide on/off control. If you have 3 or more locations you will need to bypass those locations and add Pico remotes for control.

[ryan@ryanlogsdon.com]

Hi @randyc this is a simple switch (not a 3-way). The switch powers a string of lights, nothing more, and no additional switches.

[Freddy G.]

The Caseta Dimmer is a digital dimmer, even in an off-state, the digital control is sending a little bit of power to the light. In most cases, this is not an issue. Due to the lack of industry standards, not all LEDs are built the same and in this case, your specific LEDs are unable to fully turn off with this control.

The Diva dimmer is mechanical in design, so when you turn it off the Diva dimmer it truly is off. There is no extra voltage/current that is being sent to the light and that is why the Diva does not show this type of issue, whereas with the Caseta Digital Dimmer you are unable to fully turn off the light.

[ryan@ryanlogsdon.com]

The Caseta Dimmer is a digital dimmer, even in an off-state, the digital control is sending a little bit of power to the light. In most cases, this is not an issue. Due to the lack of industry standards, not all LEDs are built the same and in this case, your specific LEDs are unable to fully turn off with this control.

The Diva dimmer is mechanical in design, so when you turn it off the Diva dimmer it truly is off. There is no extra voltage/current that is being sent to the light and that is why the Diva does not show this type of issue, whereas with the Caseta Digital Dimmer you are unable to fully turn off the light.

Thank you for the explanation, Freddy.

I'm wondering why the Caseta dimmer won't turn the lights any brighter, too? The lights remain at a constant very-dim brightness.

[Freddy G.]

Hello to explain this we would want to examine the specific LED you are using and if it is compatible with the PD-6WCL. Unfortunately, there is currently no industry standard for the manufacturing of LEDs and the performance will vary with different dimming controls. If selecting another LED Bulb is an option you could use our LED product selection tool, found at www.lutron.com/ledfinder. This LED selection tool will allow you to generate a list of compatible LED products for all of our LED-rated dimming controls. You will all be able to access a list of all the dimmers we can recommend for that LED, the dimming range you will experience, the noise level that is expected, and the level of flicker that you will experience when dimming.

[JohnNied]

You may also want to check the High End / Low End Trim of your Caséta Dimmer and adjust them. You may be able to get a little bit more intensity and a lower dimming than you currently are now.