Final answer:
The maximum current-carrying capacity of a 2,000 watt, 120-volt dimmer is about 16.67 amps; however, for continuous use, only 80% of this, or approximately 13.33 amps, should be used, according to safety regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum current-carrying capacity of a 2,000 watt, 120-volt dimmer can be calculated using the formula for electric power, which is P = IV, where P is power in watts, I is current in amps, and V is voltage in volts. To find the current I, we rearrange the formula to I = P/V. Substituting in the values given, we get I = 2000 W / 120 V, which results in a current of approximately 16.67 amps. However, due to safety regulations, we should use only 80% of this value for continuous use. Thus, the maximum continuous current is 0.8 × 16.67 A, which is about 13.33 amps.