dimmer switch

katem · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:30 pm Post Subject: 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

Har_vey · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:55 pm Post Subject:

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.

katem · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:23 pm Post Subject:

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

Har_vey · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 4:34 pm Post Subject:

Oh good

ban-all-sheds · Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:48 pm Post Subject: Re: dimmer switch

katem wrote:

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

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

securespark · Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:05 am Post Subject:

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.

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