Removing dimmer switch

gulcurm · 8 Apr 2014

Hi all

I have just noticed that the ceiling lamp I have recently bought is not dimmable, so I decided to take the dimmer switch out and replace with another switch. I have replaced switches many times before but I am really confused with this one.

There are 3 red wires connected to the dimmer switch and 2 of them were connected to the same place (see picture). I also added the picture of the normal switch that I want to swap.

Can anyone tell me how shall I make the connections?
Thanks

AndyPRK · 8 Apr 2014

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The wires which are together, keep together and put in the COM terminal,
put the other wire into another terminal.

The other switch should be changed like for like.

Someone will moan that the switch front should be earthed directly if the new ones are metal.

Taylortwocities · 8 Apr 2014

AndyPRK said:
Someone will moan that the switch front should be earthed directly if the new ones are metal.

Like the old ones aren't you mean

AndyPRK · 8 Apr 2014

yeah lol. That's why I made the comment.

gulcurm · 8 Apr 2014

AndyPRK said:
View media item 75681
View media item 75682
The wires which are together, keep together and put in the COM terminal,
put the other wire into another terminal.

The other switch should be changed like for like.

Someone will moan that the switch front should be earthed directly if the new ones are metal.

Many thanks. The current and new switches are all metal. I think they are earthed through the screws.

Taylortwocities · 8 Apr 2014

gulcurm said:
Many thanks. The current and new switches are all metal. I think they are earthed through the screws.

That is not good enough. The terminal with the earth symbol is there for a very good safety reason.

Run a (green/yellow) fly lead from the earth terminals to the front plate or terminate all of the earths at the front plate itself.

gulcurm · 8 Apr 2014

Taylortwocities said:
That is not good enough. The terminal with the earth symbol is there for a very good safety reason.

Run a (green/yellow) fly lead from the earth terminals to the front plate or terminate all of the earths at the front plate itself.

I will do. Thanks

gulcurm · 10 Apr 2014

AndyPRK said:
View media item 75681
View media item 75682
The wires which are together, keep together and put in the COM terminal,
put the other wire into another terminal.

The other switch should be changed like for like.

Someone will moan that the switch front should be earthed directly if the new ones are metal.

Hi again, I tried as you told me the other day. But it didn't work. The new switch definitely works (I tried) but when replaced the dimmer, it didn't. Any ideas?

AndyPRK · 10 Apr 2014

So the light would never switch on ?

Please explain what wires you put into the new switch terminals, and how are the new switch terminals marked ?

I assume the other switch is somewhere else in the house

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Removing dimmer switch

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