Size and descriptions of old fashioned Push Button switch plates with links to stocked metal finishes.
Do your pushbutton switches work with LED lights?
Yes. Our forward phase push button dimmers have been successfully tested with dimmable LED light bulbs from Cree, Philips, Utilitech, Sylvania, Feit Electric, EarthLED, and OSRAM. Please note the LED bulbs must be 8W or greater to avoid flickering and other issues, although 10W+ might be better. Customers have successfully used them with dimmable LED bulbs in fixtures from Halo, Juno, Luminous, Maxlite, DiodeLED, and Nora Lighting. Other brands of LED light bulbs and fixtures may work successfully, too, but would require testing on your part. Other LED bulbs and fixtures may work successfully, too, but would require testing on your part. Customers have also had good results with fixtures using two 5.5W Feit candelabra bulbs dimmed at the same time with one pushbutton dimmer. Dimmers should work with newer triac dimmers that send electricity to light bulb every half AC cycle. When using LED's in a multi-bulb light fixture or controlling multiple lighting fixtures with a single dimmer, all LED bulbs/fixtures must be from the same manufacturer or you will experience issues.
We suggest using Cree LED light bulbs when possible as those worked the best with our push-button dimmers. They allowed dimming down to a level at about 15% capacity whereas other bulbs stopped (or started flickering) at about a 25% dimming level. New brands are coming out all the time, so testing of the latest versions may result in additional options that work well.
Can these pushbutton dimmers be used with LED Can Lights?
These forward phase dimmers should work with any fixture or can light that is LED dimmable compatible with the exception of color-changing LED versions. Can lights from Halo have been tested with good results, for example. Given the number of options available, it is difficult to know for sure if the dimmers will work with any particular LED light fixture including can lights simply based on their specifications. We recommend testing the dimmer with the fixture to see if the parts are compatible before buying or installing units for all locations. If you install a dimmer and it fails after a few days, your bulbs are likely not compatible. Note that all fixtures or can lights on a circuit would need to be the same model from the manufacturer and use LED dimmable bulbs that are 10W+. Testing one light should be enough to determine if they are compatible. Having multiple units on the same circuit will not affect the results as long as the maximum wattage for the dimmer is not exceeded.
Good results hav been achieved with fixtures using two 5.5W Feit candelabra bulbs dimmed at the same time with one push button dimmer. In addition, dimmers should work with newer triac dimmers that send electricity to light bulb every half AC cycle.
The functionality of the dimmers is same aside from the wattage maximums. The only difference between 600W vs. 300W and trimmed 400W vs. 200W units will be the maximum wattage they can control: if one pushbutton dimmer version works with a particular set of bulbs and fixtures the others will also work.
Can I use these Pushbutton dimmers with magnetic low voltage (MLV) light fixtures?
No. Push button dimmers are not rated or listed for use with MLV transformers or lighting fixtures. Customers who have attempted to do so at their own risk have experienced problems. We recommend not using push-button dimmers with magnetic low voltage installations.
Can Push Button dimmers be used with ELV fixtures?
No. Because these forward phase dimming switches haven't been rated for use with ELV fixtures, it's try at your own risk - we highly recommend consulting an electrician. If you wanted to test it the dimmer would have to be placed before the transformer in the circuit, but it still likely the dimmers won't work properly if using with an LED bulb fixture.
Can Push Button dimmers be used with LED ribbon lighting?
LED ribbon lighting may experience issues - the bulbs dim to 15 to 20% then no longer dim or shut off completely. If you plan to use LED's in a multi-bulb lighting fixture or want to control multiple lighting fixtures from with a single dimmer control, please note that all LED light bulbs and fixtures must be from the same manufacturer (no mixing and matching), otherwise you will experience issues such as flickering or bulb failure.
Can Push Button dimmers be used with low voltage lighting?
The dimming switches cannot be used on LED low voltage fixtures (which typically cannot be dimmed).
Can Push Button dimmers be used with "Smart" switches?
The dimmers are not designed to work with "smart" led lights; they will not work with smart apps or where anything can be controlled via smart apps/phone.
Can pushbutton dimmers be used with 0-10V dimmable LED fixtures?
No. The dimmers cannot be used with 0 - 10V dimmable LED lighting fixtures.
Can Classic Accent switches be used in 250V systems?
Classic Accent has sent switches to Australia, New Zealand, and England which all use the 220-250 Volt systems. Although there have been no customer reports of issues using the switches, Classic Accents cannot guarantee they will work. It is important to emphasize that the switches are listed and rated for 120 Volt 15 amp systems and the circuit cannot be any higher than 7.5 amps. We recommend discussing your plans with a licensed electrician to ensure the safety and reliability of your lighting setup.
Can the 3-way push-button switches and dimmers be used as single pole switches?
Yes. All you need to do is cap off one of the red traveler wires on the back of the dimmer, or not connect one of the terminals on the standard 3-way switch (and cap off the wire coming from the wall).
Can the push button switches and dimmers be used with ceiling fans?
It depends on ceiling fan and how it functions. If it is a simple ON/OFF ceiling fan a standard push button switch should work fine. If the ceiling fan has speed controls on the fixture itself (usually with a pull chain) then the basic switch should still work to turn the unit ON/OFF. If the current ceiling fan switch controls speed the push button light switches cannot be used as a substitute.
Push button dimmers cannot be be used to control ceiling fans.
How do the buttons work?
Typically, dimmer controls are installed with the on/off button on top and fader knob on the bottom, but it can be installed with the dimmer on top if preferred. This way, you can pre-set the dimming level, then just push the top button on and off.
Why buy Classic Accents pushbutton switches & dimmers?
Classic Accents is the original manufacturer of quality antique reproduction pushbutton light switches with a 30-year history of reliability. They offer a a lifetime warranty on the most popular switches - your guarantee of value. Genuine Classic Accents dimming knobs have a solid feel and turn smoothly when adjusting lighting levels. Caps feature button inserts that are pearlized plastic to provide a consistent color and brightness. (Note that actual shell inserts vary in color and can be much darker and uneven at times.) Don't accept off-brand push-button switches that claim to be premium. Classic Accents holds the patent on push-button dimmers, so look for the trusted Classic Accents label before you buy.
UL (USA) and cULus (Canadian) Listed Switches: The single-pole switches, three-way switches, and four-way switches are UL and cULus listed. Dimmers: The single pole 300W dimmers, single-pole 600W dimmers, and the three-way 600W dimmers are also UL and cULus listed.
Push Button Dimmer Sound & Feel
The dimming control knob has ridged sides and offers a slight resistance when turning the knob to adjust lighting levels; the ON/OFF button has smooth sides. Each pushbutton knob protrudes about 3/4" (ON) or 13/16" (OFF) from the surface of the device; the dimming knob protrudes 13/16" at all times. (Regular single pole/3-way/4-way switch knobs protrude 17/32" (OFF/OUT) and 5/16" (ON/IN) by comparison.)
Note that the mechanical feel of the single pole dimmers vs. the 3-way dimmers is slightly different: the components used in each are not the same. The single pole dimmers have a quieter click and stay depressed when on, then pop back up after pushing them off. The 3-way dimmers have a looser ON/OFF button, a slightly louder click, and pop back up after each push whether on or off. The dimming knobs on the 300W dimmers (single pole and 3-way) rotate and click when fully off; the dimming knobs on the 600W dimmers just rotate smoothly to off with no click. To summarize:
Push Button Dimmers - Regular vs. Narrow (Trimmed)
You will find both standard full sized and narrow or "trimmed" push button dimmers for sale above. Please note that when placed side by side in an electrical box, the edges of 2 standard sized push button dimmers will overlap and overheat as a result. When installing multiple dimmers, it's important to purchase narrow ones so that they won't overlap and will sit properly in the electrical box. Narrow push button dimmers have been trimmed down on the edges to prevent them from touching in the electrical box.
Trimmed dimmers must also be used if installing next to other devices that are not just a simple on/off mechanical switch, for example: GFCI outlets, ceiling fan controllers, timers, other dimmers, etc.
De-rating Trimmed Dimmers
Note that de-rating occurs when the flanges are trimmed. De-rating means that the narrow dimmers cannot carry the same load as an untrimmed dimmers because they cannot dissipate as much heat. For example, a 600W dimmer once cut down would be derated to 400W.
Single Pole vs. 3-Way Dimming Switches
Single pole switches can control one light fixture from a single wall switch. Three-way switches give you the flexibility of controlling that one light fixture from two different wall switches like those at the top or bottom of stairs, ends of hallways, etc.
If you aren't sure which you need, you can always buy the 3-way version and simply wire it as a single pole dimmer by capping off the one of the red traveler wires. Then if you later decide to add a second location for 3-way control of that light you won't have to replace that dimmer.
Note that when dimming in a 3-way setup, only one dimmer switch can be used; the other switch should just be a regular 3-way switch (not a dimmer).
