I have a 20 amp circuit controlled by a Control4 programmable switch. The circuit has 5 electrical outlets on it. 4 of the 4 outlets have a single pinball machine plugged into it (Haunted House, Elvira, Scared Stiff, Star Trek). The circuit panel has surge suppression support.

I leave the machines powered on and turn them all on/off with the C4 switch. This seems to work fine for a few weeks/months and then the C4 switch malfunctions and becomes inoperable. This may only happen when HH is turned on, though I've been able to switch the circuit on/off multiple times with all 4 machines on with no problems. When the switch fails, it fails open, so no power is going to the outlets.

The C4 switch is rated for 15 amps and C4 support says it should work fine on a 20 amp circuit (and I have two other circuits, each with more pins on them that work fine).

The HH does not have the grounds mods done, but works fine.

It doesn't seem to me that those 4 pins should be able to overload the circuit at start up. I don't know why, but it seems to me it's logical that HH is somehow causing the problem. I don't think the C4 switch is relevant to the discussion other than its internal circuits are somehow getting blown.

I know little about electricity - can someone offer thoughts as to what might be going on here? Is there any way HH can cause a problem simply by being plugged in, powered on or not?

One suggestion was to make the circuit a 15 amp circuit, though I'm not sure that would solve anything.

Any help/thoughts/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks. I know the wiring is rated for 20 amps - it was new construction.

It may be the C4 switch, but according to C4 support they almost never see them fail and I've had two fail in four months on that circuit.

Wouldn't this be consistent though? If the 4 together draw more than 15 on start, shouldn't they draw more than 15 every time?