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KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot

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KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot

This thread has been locked for further replies. You can start a new thread to share your ideas or ask questions.
KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-11-14 04:19:05 - last edited 2022-01-24 14:50:59

I installed a KS230 kit last night.  Everything is wired properly, with space to spare in the wall box.  I just went to turn on the light and felt that the switch is quite warm, even hot.  It doesn't burn my finger, but if I leave my finger pressed for a few seconds the heat is considerable, even unpleasant, definitely disconcerting.   The heat is concentrated at the top of the switch, near and on the dimming buttons.  This is making me a bit nervous.

 

I should mention that every multi-gang box I work on, I wrap switches with electrical tape but I am careful not to cover ventilation holes.  I just pulled the wall plate off, pulled the switch out of the box an inch or two and took the tape off.  The back of the switch isn't as warm. The heat is concentrated at  the front and the top.  I'll give it an hour and see if it cools.  Too bad I don't have an IR gun.

 

Anyone else experiencing this?

 

TP-Link, any suggestions?

 

 

FYI: This KS230 kit is controlling a line that powers 6 recessed LED lights:  6 x NORA/NSPEC, 4" Dimmable NOX-43140WW 120V/0.09A/10.5W.   Before installing the KS230 kit, I was using  first a dumb 3-way setup and then a Leviton WiFi/cloud master-slave pair  in the same wallboxes, with the same wires, without any heat or other issues.

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1 Accepted Solution
Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot-Solution
2021-12-28 02:43:10 - last edited 2022-01-24 14:50:59

Hello everyone, 

 

KS230 itself has Over Temperature Protection(OTP) with an internal sensor monitoring the temperature in the switch. When temperature exceeded a safe value, the APP will prompt a 'Overheat' warning and shut off the switch temporarily, this will protect your switch from possible damage caused by overheat.

 

If your KS230Kit feels hot or gets overheat : 
 

1. Make sure to use KS230s as a KIT not with an traditional three-way switch.

 Please check explanation here for Can I use the main KS230  with an generic or standard three-way Dimmer?

 

2. Double-check the KS230 KIT wiring as Three-way Dimmer Switch Installation Video 

- Identify Common Wire (could be a Live/Load):  Locate the wire that’s connected to a Different Color screw (usually BLACK screw) on old 3-way switch
Neutral Wire: normally white or a bundle of white wires secured with a wire nut.
Traveler Wires: the remaining 2 wires(typically one black and one red) travelers are on the Same Color screws opposite to each other on old 3-way switch 
Note:  1.  KS230kit traveler wires have sequence. Try to keep TR1 on main switch and TR1 on satellite switch the same color, same for TR2.

 e,g. If you label the Red traveler in main box as TR1， then label the Red traveler in satellite box also as TR1. 
2.  Do not mix up travelers coming the two junction boxes. 

 

3. Make sure the device is not overloaded

 

 

If the concern persists,  please help provide some information  here and email to support.forum@tp-link.com with title [Forum ID XX+ Case detail ]   we will have a specialist to look into the issue further. 

 

1. can you help describe how did you notice or feel  to overheat? Or did you test the temperature by some tools?
2, did you ever try to set up KS230 with an traditional 3 way switch before?

3. the photo of wiring of KS230KIT (note the Main and Satellite switch)

4. the photo of wiring of Old- 3 way Kit if you  kept any of that

5. How about the  Wi-Fi led/Ring/ Brightness Led status on main and Satellite KS230 right now?

6. model of light and its wattage 

 

* This post will be marked as the solution to this post in order for forum users to find this information in full easily and to then provide additional feedback *

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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-11-15 02:42:12

And today the switch is dead.  Looks like I got a bad unit.  I'm glad it burned out peacefully....

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#2
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-11-15 03:53:19 - last edited 2021-11-15 04:28:13

Hello @jyg, thank you for your detailed post.

If the switch gets hot, we would suggest checking if switch is properly wired also make sure the device is not overloaded
KS230 itself has Over Temperature Protection(OTP) with an internal sensor monitoring the temperature in the switch. When temperature exceeded a safe value, the APP will prompt a 'Overheat' warning and shut off the switch temporarily, this will protect your switch from possible damage caused by overheat.

As your unit is dead, it might be some issue with certain unit, we would like to have a specialist look into this further via email and help with the device warranty. 

 

 

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#3
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-11-16 04:56:35 - last edited 2021-11-16 04:59:13

Hi @Solla-topee ,

 

Thanks for the warranty offer, though I purchased via Amazon so I've scheduled a return there.  For now, I put in a Kasa 3-way switch and a dumb 3-way... it sure is bright in the family room laugh  Before removing the switch completely I removed the hot/line and let it sit for 10 minutes.  Then I put the hot back on, and the LED did not come on. I tried pressing both config/reset buttons for 10 seconds each and it did nothing.  The primary switch never lit up again.

 

To be honest, I might wait for firmware changes to get a formal release before purchasing again.  It's a new product, and I got a fluke, no big deal.  Otherwise you're products have been great.   So glad to be off the cloud.

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#4
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-11-16 05:42:58 - last edited 2021-11-16 05:45:02

Hi@jyg ，It's also good to know the HS210 works fine in the house, thank you for sharing more details about the dead KS230, I suspect that might be related to the wiring or certain unit, we will keep an eye for similar feedback. 

>>Landscape Mode - Tapo App for Pad. >>Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation. >>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance.
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#5
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-12-23 03:54:48

@Solla-topee 

 

hi I had the same exact issue, I had 3 units installed by a licensed electrician and 2 of them don't work properly and now are dead, they first did not work properly, I tried to install them on the app and after they heated up and now died.
would it be possible to get replacement/ new units ? 

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#6
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot-Solution
2021-12-28 02:43:10 - last edited 2022-01-24 14:50:59

Hello everyone, 

 

KS230 itself has Over Temperature Protection(OTP) with an internal sensor monitoring the temperature in the switch. When temperature exceeded a safe value, the APP will prompt a 'Overheat' warning and shut off the switch temporarily, this will protect your switch from possible damage caused by overheat.

 

If your KS230Kit feels hot or gets overheat : 
 

1. Make sure to use KS230s as a KIT not with an traditional three-way switch.

 Please check explanation here for Can I use the main KS230  with an generic or standard three-way Dimmer?

 

2. Double-check the KS230 KIT wiring as Three-way Dimmer Switch Installation Video 

- Identify Common Wire (could be a Live/Load):  Locate the wire that’s connected to a Different Color screw (usually BLACK screw) on old 3-way switch
Neutral Wire: normally white or a bundle of white wires secured with a wire nut.
Traveler Wires: the remaining 2 wires(typically one black and one red) travelers are on the Same Color screws opposite to each other on old 3-way switch 
Note:  1.  KS230kit traveler wires have sequence. Try to keep TR1 on main switch and TR1 on satellite switch the same color, same for TR2.

 e,g. If you label the Red traveler in main box as TR1， then label the Red traveler in satellite box also as TR1. 
2.  Do not mix up travelers coming the two junction boxes. 

 

3. Make sure the device is not overloaded

 

 

If the concern persists,  please help provide some information  here and email to support.forum@tp-link.com with title [Forum ID XX+ Case detail ]   we will have a specialist to look into the issue further. 

 

1. can you help describe how did you notice or feel  to overheat? Or did you test the temperature by some tools?
2, did you ever try to set up KS230 with an traditional 3 way switch before?

3. the photo of wiring of KS230KIT (note the Main and Satellite switch)

4. the photo of wiring of Old- 3 way Kit if you  kept any of that

5. How about the  Wi-Fi led/Ring/ Brightness Led status on main and Satellite KS230 right now?

6. model of light and its wattage 

 

* This post will be marked as the solution to this post in order for forum users to find this information in full easily and to then provide additional feedback *

>>Landscape Mode - Tapo App for Pad. >>Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation. >>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance.
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2021-12-28 02:47:41 - last edited 2021-12-28 03:00:10

Hello@Dariod 
Thank you for your feedback, may how did you notice or feel the heat up?I would like to create a support email to look into concern, please check your inbox later. 

If the unit is dead completely,  you may also contact retailer to check device warranty. 

>>Landscape Mode - Tapo App for Pad. >>Smart Action 2.0 Explore and meet the next level home automation. >>How to position my TP-Link camera for optimal performance.
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#8
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2022-01-24 22:43:12

@jyg I got the same problem. 

 

#1, the secondary switch never worked. always had the white ring on it, pressing that switch just flickered that ring but nothing happened.

#2 After having it on for 5 hrs or so, I got this message. 

 

After several  hours, manual ON/OFF worked on main unit, secondary still a dud. And App would never connect to that switch any longer. Always reported the below message. Now I packed and its off back to Amazon, No patience. Did anyone find support to assist or this is still limping with secondary switch not working? 

 

 

 

0?ui=2&ik=a104443f1c&attid=0

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#9
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Re:KS230 3-way dimmer getting hot
2022-06-14 15:51:36

  @HappyKing I had the exact same situation. The satellite dimmer position indicator never worked. I installed it last night it worked fine in terms of both switches dimming correctly minus the satellite dimmer position indicator not illuminating. This morning it felt really hot and the dimmer did not work, I flipped the circuit breaker to let it cool down for 30 minutes. Now it's completely dead and doesn't work, I'm returning to Amazon as this thing clearly isn't ready for prime time and I don't want to worry that a light switch is going to burn down my house. 

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