Dimmer switch, wiring colours

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Please help! I have an old light switch with a blue and a red wire. I have a new dimmer switch with ~ with an arrow through it, and L1 and L2. It also has a hole on the metal facing which I assume is earth?? At that point I'm stuck and don't fancy blowing up anything!
 
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OK, here are some common switch markings, so you can compare the 2 switches you have.

[code:1] terminal 1 terminal 2 terminal 3
TYPE 1: COM L1 L2
TYPE 2: L1 L2 L3
TYPE 2: ~ L1 L1[/code:1]

connect the wires to the same terminals they came from. If theres only 2, on your switch its probably ~ and L1. Doesn't usually matter which way round you do it.

If you have a metal switch plate, it MUST BE EARTHED using the little brass terminal on the plate.
 
frany said:
what happens if there is no earth wire?
you dont use that switch. simple as. sorry! The possible consequences of not connecting the face to earth are dire. Perhaps you ought to have an electrician do a PIR (periodic inspection report) on your installation, to check for underlying faults, as without an earth on the lights, your wiring probably dates back to the 60-70's, which is old by todays standards.
 
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frany said:
what happens if there is no earth wire?

dont use it. if you do, and there is a fault, then youll be 6 feet under....
 
Thank you!!! I was thinking something bad might happen!!! Might just stick with a boring on/off switch!!
 

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