dimmer switch

Hi, I\\\'ve read through previous postings but am still not sure how not to blow house up. Am replacing standard single light switch with a dimmer. Didn\\\'t note which wire went where on old switch because I assumed new one would have ok instructions - it doesn\\\'t have ANY other than connect mains supply to L1 and Lamp transformer (LV) to ~. Existing socket has one thin brown wire which is connected to metal socket box (earth I assume) it then has one red and one black (must be live and neutral). So could someone just confirm if the red or the black wire connects to L1/mains supply (and the other to the ~) - this is probably a stupid query, but I\\\'m just not sure enough!! Thank you

Normally red to L, and black (switched live) to the other terminal.

careful when you put the dimmer back because they are deeper than a standard switch so sometimes the metal box has to be recessed further into the wall.

thank you! that seems to work, and no house fire yet

Oh good

katem said:

Existing socket has one thin brown wire which is connected to metal socket box (earth I assume)

Click to expand...

Earth wires should have green & yellow sleeving. Do you mean brown, or do you mean bare copper?

If brown, it should be replaced with g/y sleeve.

You've obviously fitted the dimmer now, but for future reference for others, sometimes (if the box has 4 lugs), you need to remove or bend back the two in the vertical plane to allow the dimmer body to fit.