Control the ambience of a room with a newfangled dimmer permutation .
Kelsey Hansen
A dimmer substitution is atype of light switchused to control the brightness of a connected light fixture . This is accomplished by regulating the flow of electricity to the light fixtures with a dimmer ascendency , such as a telephone dial or slider . check how to install a dimmer switch for the right light layer for a room at any time of Clarence Shepard Day Jr. and even reduce the amount of electricity you ’re using .
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Installing a dimmer switchisn’t difficult if you have experience work with home electric systems . For those who have never worked on the electrical base of the home , this job can be a salutary way to learn how to upgrade and sustain your electrical system safely . This informative scout will help you chance out how to instal a dimmer switch .
Choosing a Compatible Dimmer Switch
Before learn how to establish a dimmer switch , it ’s necessary to buy one to replace the live faint switch . Not all dimmer switches can be used with every character of bulb , so it ’s important to watch the ware selective information supply by the producer to find a dimmer switch suited for incandescent , LED , or CFL bulbs .
Another divisor to check before purchasing a dimmer switch is whether you postulate a single - pole or three - pole one . A individual - perch dimmer permutation is used when the existing tripping switch is the only ascendancy for the current light reparation . you’re able to use a three - magnetic pole dimmer electrical switch if there are currently two existing replacement that curb a singlelight fixture .
New sophisticated dimmer switches with smart feature may also require a neutral connecter to function . Not every home has neutral wiring , so if you are clothe in a high-pitched - tech dimmer , it ’s important to see if the dimmer switch requires neutral wiring and if your home has neutral wiring before proceeding . you may see this by pulling out the existing light switch without disconnect it . If the home has inert wiring , you should see a lily-white wire inside the junction corner .
Credit:Jacob Fox
Safety Considerations
Whenever work with electricity , it ’s important to take proper care to fend off inadvertent electrocution . ensure toturn off the electricityto the clear transposition before starting this task . expend a non - contact voltage tester to verify that the electricity is off before touch the telegram . to boot , it ’s recommended to break electric insulated boxing glove while you work to guarantee that if there is a bouncy stream , you are protected against burning . If you are not confident in your abilities , it ’s best to call in an electrician rather than risk a potentially fatal fortuity .
Additionally , when you are working on the light switch , check to ensure that the junction box is great enough for the young dimmer switch . If the box is too low or there are too many wires jampack into it , then the heat energy produced by the electric connection will not be able to properly dissipate . This could lead to serious overheating , shortsighted - circuiting , and fire . invalidate this number by upgrade to a large junction box before installing the new dimmer switch .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Install a Dimmer Switch
Jacob Fox
Turn Off the Power
Before starting the project , head to your electrical fuse box or breaker panel to wrench off the breaker transposition that controls the flow of electricity to the target light substitution . If you have a fuse box , you will need to hit the fuse that is connect to the target light switch .
Remove Faceplate and Test Current
Use a screwdriver to remove the faceplate from the existing light electric switch , but do not proceed until you have confirmed that the electrical energy to the switch is off . you could arrest the flow of electricity with a non - contact voltage quizzer . Test the shameful wires in the junction box seat to confirm that the electricity to the substitution is sour off . If there are multiple switch in the same box , make trusted to try all of them .
Label Wires
Once you are certain theelectricity is offto the switching , habituate a screwdriver to loosen the wax screws at the top and bottom of the live light switch . softly commit the switch out of the junction corner without removing the wires . Use conducting wire labels to mark the wire currently tie to the replacement .
Disconnect Wires
apply a screwdriver to loosen the mounting screws that are currently holding the wires in place on the live light substitution . If the end of the wires are damage , consider snipping the tip of the wire and using telegram strippers to peel back about 3/4 - inch of the plastic sheathing to expose new wiring for the connection .
Connect Dimmer Switch
If your dimmer switch requires a inert connexion , plug in the electroneutral ( blanched ) telegram on the switch to the electroneutral telegram from the wall . This should be a three - fashion connective point , linking thelight fixedness , conjugation box , and the dimmer switch . If the dimmer switch does not ask a neutral connection , continue straight to wiring the argument wire .
Connect the black production line wire to the terminal on the back or side of the dimmer transposition . Next , connect the black or ruby load wire to the terminal on the back or side of the dimmer switch . Finally , plug in the green or copper priming coat wire to the dimmer replacement terminal .
Use phonograph needle - nose pliers to facilitate bend the wires around the terminal nooky on the dimmer shift , then reduce the screws with a screwdriver to assure each wire to the new dimmer electrical switch .
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Slide Dimmer Switch Into Position
Neatly advertise the wires back into the box , secure there is enough space for the dimmer shift . With thewires in the boxand out of the way , slip the dimmer switch into the colligation box and secure it with screw at the top and bottom of the switch . Put the faceplate over the dimmer electric switch and constrain the screws on the faceplate .
Turn On Electricity and Test the Switch
When you are slaked that the caper has been completed by rights , head back to the fuse box or breaker board . Reinstall the fuse or flip the transposition on the surf panel to sprain on the electricity to the switch . release the switch on to gibe if the new connectedness is correct and line up the dimmer control to ensure the dimmer substitution function properly .
Understanding Your Home’s Electrical System
Whether you own or rent your home , knowing where to rule the electric panel and how to ferment it off and on is essential . The process may be a slight unlike in old homes , so be clear-cut about what type of electrical panel you ’re go with . acquaint yourself with your home’selectrical load , especially if you ’re shopping for new appliances that can add more demand to your home ’s system . understand how yourhome ’s circuitsand electric system employment will help keep your family good and allow you to do small reparation without call an lineman if a electrical circuit bollocks up .
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
Credit:Kelsey Hansen
