Lutron MA-R-WH Maestro Companion 120V 8.3A Designer Digital Dimmer

User manual Dimmer

Load Types

Incandescent / Halogen, or lighting supplied by Electronic Low-Voltage Transformer (such as incandescent, halogen, or LED)

Important Notes. Please read before installing.

1. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of overheating and possible damage to other equipment, DO NOT use to control receptacles, fluorescent lighting fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps, motor operated or transformer supplied appliances. Use only to control the primary side of transformer-supplied low-voltage lighting, or in combination with incandescent lamps.
2. Install in accordance with all national and local electrical codes.
3. When no “grounding means” exist within the wallbox, the NECR 2011, Article 404.9 allows a dimmer without a grounding connection to be installed as a replacement, as long as a plastic, noncombustible wallplate is used. For this type of installation, twist a wire connector onto the green ground wire or remove the green ground wire on the dimmer and use an appropriate wallplate such as ClaroR or Satin ColorsR series wallplates by Lutron.
4. This product requires a neutral wire in the wallbox. If a neutral wire is not present, contact a licensed electrician for installation.
5. Do not paint the dimmers or the companion dimmers.
6. This dimmer is not compatible with standard 3-way or 4-way switches. Use only with LutronR companion dimmers listed above.
7. In any 3-way/4-way circuit use only one dimmer with up to 9 companion dimmers.
8. Do not use where the total load is greater than the rating indicated in the Derating Chart below.
9. Do not use where total load is less than 5 W / VA.
10. Operate between 32 °F (0 °C) and 104 °F (40 °C).
11. For indoor use only.
12. It is normal for the dimmers to feel warm to the touch during operation.
13. Recommended minimum wallbox depth is 2` in (64 mm).
14. Maximum wire length between the dimmers and the farthest companion dimmer is 250 ft (76 m).
15. Clean with a soft damp cloth only. Do not use any chemical cleaners.
16. Controls must be mounted vertically. See stamp on control for correct positioning.
17. DO NOT wire while circuit breaker is on. Permanent damage to the dimmer may result.
18. In multi-phase applications, it is recommended to use a separate neutral for each phase containing a dimmed circuit.
19. For new installations, wire a test switch before installing the dimmer.

Multigang Installations

When installing more than one control in the same wallbox, the maximum load capacity is reduced. No derating is required for companion dimmers. Refer to the Derating Chart below.

Derating Chart

Dimmer Operation

Troubleshooting

Installation

1. Turning Power OFF

Turn power OFF at circuit breaker (or remove fuse).

2. Removing Wallplate and Switch

Remove the wallplate and switch mounting screws.

Carefully remove the switch from the wall (do not remove the wires).

3. Identifying the Circuit Type and Tagging the Wire on the COMMON Terminal of the Switches

3a - Single Location Control

One switch controlling a light fixture:

The switch will have insulated wires connected to two screws of the same color plus a green ground screw.

3b - Two-Location Control

Two switches controlling a light fixture:

Both switches will be 3-way. Each switch will have insulated wires connected to three screws plus a green ground screw. One of these wires is connected to a screw of a different color (not green) or labeled COMMON. Tag this wire on both switches to identify when rewiring.

3c - Three or More-Location Control

Three or more switches controlling a light fixture:

Two switches will be 3-way and any others will be 4-way. Tag the two 3-way switches as in the Two-Location diagram above. The 4-way switch will have insulated wires connected to four screws plus a green ground screw. Tag the two same-color insulated wires that are connected to opposite colored screws. Follow this procedure for each 4-way switch.

4. Disconnecting the Switch Wires

Important Note: The wall switch may have two wires attached to the same screw (see illustrations below for examples). Tape these two wires together before disconnecting. When rewiring, connect wires to the dimmer the same way they were connected to the switch.

One wire in the backwired hole and one to the screw.

One continuous wire to the screw.

Push-In Terminals: Insert screwdriver. Pull wire out.

Screw Terminals: Turn screws to loosen.

Looped Wire: Turn screws to loosen.

5. Wiring

When making wire connections, follow the recommended strip lengths and combinations for the supplied wire connector.

Note: All wire connectors provided are suitable for copper wire only. For aluminum wire, consult an electrician.

Trim or strip wallbox wires to the length indicated by the strip gauge on the back of the dimmer.

Wire connector: Use to join 14 AWG (1.5 mm2 ) or 12 AWG (2.5 mm2 ) ground wire to 18 AWG (0.75 mm2 ) dimmer ground wire.

Push-in terminals: Insert wires fully.

Note: Push-in terminals are for use with 14 AWG (1.5 mm2 ) solid copper wire only. DO NOT use stranded or twisted wire.

Screw terminals: Tighten securely.

Note: Screw terminals are for use with 12 AWG (2.5 mm2 ) or 14 AWG (1.5 mm2 ) solid copper wire only. DO NOT use stranded or twisted wire.

• For installations involving more than one control in a wallbox, refer to Multigang Installations before beginning.
• Use the screw or push-in terminals when making connections on the dimmer or companion dimmer.
• Wire all controls before mounting.

5a - Single-Location Control

Wiring the Dimmer:

• Connect the green ground wire on the dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. See Important Note 3 on other side.
• Connect the neutral wire in the wallbox to the silver screw terminal on the dimmer (use LutronR supplied white wire).
• Connect either of the remaining wires removed from the switch to the black screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch to the brass screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Tighten the blue screw terminal on the dimmer. It is not used in a single-pole circuit.

Note: If the wires connected to the Black and Brass screws are reversed, the unit will not operate. It may be necessary to swap the connections to ensure that the Brass screw is connected to the load.

5b - Two-Location Control

Note: The dimmer must be installed on the load side of multi-location wiring.

Wiring the Dimmer on the Load Side:

• Connect the green ground wire on the dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. See Important Note 3 on other side
• Connect the neutral wire in the wallbox to the silver screw terminal on the dimmer (use LutronR supplied white wire).
• Connect the tagged wire removed from the switch in step 3b to the brass screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Connect one of the remaining wires removed from the switch to the black screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch (note wire color) to the blue screw terminal on the dimmer.

Wiring the Companion Dimmer (MA-R) on the Line Side:

• Connect the green ground wire on the companion dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. See Important Note 3 on other side.
• Connect the wire tagged in step 3b to the black screw terminal on the dimmer or companion dimmer.
• Connect the same color wire connected to the blue screw terminal on the dimmer (wire color noted above) to the blue screw terminal on the companion dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch to the brass screw terminal on the companion dimmer.

5c - Three or more-Location Control

One location will be replaced with a dimmer and the others with companion dimmers. Only one dimmer can be used with up to nine companion dimmers.

Replace the 4-way switch(es):

Note: 4-way switches must be replaced with companion dimmers.

• Connect the green ground wire on the companion dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. (See Important Note 3 on other side.)
• Connect both of the wires tagged in step 3c wires (noting their color) to the blue screw terminal on the companion dimmer (one wire to the screw and the other to the push-in terminal).
• Connect one of the remaining wires removed from the switch to the black screw terminal on the companion dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch to the brass screw terminal on the companion dimmer.

Wiring the Companion Dimmer (MA-R) on the Line Side:

• Connect the green ground wire on the companion dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. (See Important Note 3 on other side.)
• Connect the wire tagged in step 3b to the black screw terminal on the dimmer or companion dimmer.
• Connect the same color wire connected to the blue screw terminal on the dimmer (wire color noted above) to the blue screw terminal on the companion dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch to the brass screw terminal on the companion dimmer.

Wiring the Dimmer on the Load Side:

• Connect the green ground wire on the dimmer to the bare copper or green ground wire in the wallbox. (See Important Note 3 on other side.)
• Connect the neutral wire in the wallbox to the silver screw terminal on the dimmer (use LutronR supplied white wire).
• Connect the wire tagged in step 3b to the brass screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Connect the same color wire connected to the blue screw terminal on the dimmer that replaced a 4-way switch (wire color noted above) to the blue screw terminal on the dimmer.
• Connect the remaining wire removed from the switch to the black screw terminal on the dimmer.

6. Mounting Dimmers to Wallbox

Form wires carefully into the wallbox, mount and align electronic dimmer (and companion dimmers). Attach ClaroR or Satin ColorsR Wallplate(s) (sold separately).

7. Turning Power ON

Turn power ON at circuit breaker (or replace fuse).

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