DIY Temperature Control W/Dimmer Switch (WARNING PIC HEAVY)

[led-zep]

Using a Metal box with no ground is not the best choice and taking the ground from the dimmer to the plug is not really doing anything, kind of pointless really. I would definitely use a 3 wire cord in this application and ground the metal box.

Also trimming the heat sink off the dimmer will reduce the wattage that the dimmer can handle so make sure it will still handle the load you intend to put on it.

You are absolutely correct. Taking the ground from the dimmer to the outlet is kinda pointless but it was there so I tied it in. Truth is I would use the 3 wire cord to ground the metal box but as I stated before none of my outlets in my house are grounded to the ground bus on the panel ( I didn't build this house ) so that's pointless too. If done properly this way will work fine though, is it the best way NO but it does work. O well if the admins feel this is more of a risk they can delete it I won't have any hard feelings. I was just showing a way I do mine that has worked for a good while. Back in the old days when my house was built a lot of times workers would take a pigtail and jump from the neutral to the ground on outlets, Its not the right way but its what they did a lot of times. For the record I am not saying do this. DO NOT DO THIS! Thanks