wiring a dimmer switch

Hi guys,

Need some advise about changing my dimmer switch.

My present switch has 2 red wires going into L1 (or is it L2 - I dont remember) & a wavy symbol. There is one more wire with green & yellow which was folded & tucked away into a corner. The switch doesnt have any place for the third wire.

The new dimmer switch that I have bought has L1, L2 & the wavy symbol.

So what should go where ?????

Pls note that I cant do DIY to save my life. I am only attempting this as my wife threatened to leave me if I dont sort this out by this weekend (5 hrs & 10 mins to go) & I couldnt find anyone to come along for such a tiny job.

Thanks,

Sanlak15

Wire one cable into the ~ symbol and the other into L1. If there's no earth connection on the dimmer then leave the green/yellow cable as it is, otherwise wire it in to the earth terminal on the dimmer. (It will have an earth terminal if it's a metal-plate dimmer.)

would you believe it goes the same way as the one you have?

tips.

switch mains off

Lable each cable

make note of lables / where each goes

is it a metal front switch ? If so you need to connect the earth to this and the back box

You cant dim most "energy saving lamps"

Is the dimmer rated big enough i.e 250 w dimmer wont dim 300w of lamps or 250 w dimmer wont dim 5 50 w halogens (dimmers for halogen lamps usulay have to be de rated by 50 %)