Remember: Dimmer switches dont work on most fluorescent fixtures, and low-voltage lighting requires special low-voltage dimmers. Remove the wires from the old switch. Dimmer switches are usually connected to the house wiring by short lengths of wire coming out of the switch body rather than by screw terminals.

Is wiring different for dimmer switches?

Unlike standard switches, most dimmer switches have wire leads that are connected to the circuit wires with wire connectors, rather than using screw terminal connections.

Can you put a dimmer switch on any light?

Most light fixtures will work with standard dimmer switches, including those with halogen and incandescent lamps. If you install line-voltage track and rail lights with incandescent bulbs, you can use dimmer switches to control their brightness. Just be sure to use a line-voltage dimmer as well.

What wires do you need for a dimmer switch?

There will be three wires: one black, one white, and a separate ground wire that may be bare copper or is sometimes wrapped in green. Identify the different colored wires, and use needle-nose pliers to attach the wires to the dimmer in the same way they had been attached to the switch (Image 1).

Do you need a 3 wire for a dimmer?

With a standard single-pole dimmer, a single switch controls the light. With a three-way dimmer, you can control a light with two switches. You will need a three-way dimmer and a three-way switch.

Why does my dimmer switch have 3 wires?

A 3-wire NM connects the travelers of the dimmer to the travelers of the 3-way switch. Traveler wires are interchangeable on each switch.

Can I have two dimmer switches on the same circuit?

You can only have one dimmer per group. You can put the dimmer at either location, but not both locations. There are companion dimmers available from some companies, that allow you to place additional dimmers in the circuit.

What happens if you put a non-dimmable bulb in a dimmer?

If you install a non-dimming LED bulb in a circuit with a dimming switch, it will likely operate normally if the dimmer is at its 100% or fully on. Dimming the bulb, will likely cause erratic behavior such as flickering or buzzing and ultimately may cause damage to the bulb.

Can you put a dimmer on a 2 way switch?

If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit. Push-on/off dimmers can also be used in 1-way circuits.

Can both 3 way switches be dimmers?

3-Way Dimmer Switches When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) must be on-off switches only. The other light switches turn the lights off and on to the level set by the dimmer.

Do dimmer switches cause fires?

Dimmer switches can get extremely hot and possibly catch fire as well. Therefore, it is advised to check the voltage mentioned on the dimmer switch and the bulb you are attaching to ensure that the dimmer switch will not get overloaded and potentially become a fire hazard.

Whats the difference between a 1 way and 2 way dimmer switch?

1 way is an on/off switch and means theres only one place you can turn your light on or off. This is the most common kind of switch found in most homes. Most 2 way switches can also be used as a 1 way on/off switch. 2 way means theres another switch controlling the same light.

What happens if I dont ground my dimmer switch?

Going without a ground wire When you screw the light switch in, it will make contact with the box, and as long as the box is grounded, it will pick up ground that way. If the box isnt grounded, the switch will still work.