Wiring a Dimmer Switch

DPG · 7 Apr 2006

A newcomer so apologies if this type of question has been asked before.
I'm trying to wire a one gang, two way dimmer switch. The dimmer switch I am tring to fit has L1, L2 and C however the normal switch I am taking off has the following:

L1 - Blue
L2 - Blue
L3 - Yellow
L4 - Yellow

L1 and L3 have 'IN' and at the opposite L2 and L4 have 'OUT'

Off this info would anyone be able to tell me which wires go to L1, L2 and C on the dimmer switch.
Many thanks.

Qedelec · 7 Apr 2006

From what you say, you appear to have a two pole single gang switch.
If so, then the wiring colours are very confusing.
Assuming that Blue is neutral (and this is by no means certain), you would need to connect them together in a terminal block and the yellows in Com and L1

DPG · 7 Apr 2006

Thanks for that. The switch I am replacing is at one end of the hallway and the same lights can be switched via a three way switch at the other end of the hall way.

Qedelec · 7 Apr 2006

DPG said:
Thanks for that. The switch I am replacing is at one end of the hallway and the same lights can be switched via a three way switch at the other end of the hall way.

Then you have missed out some vital information.

Three way switch

????

DPG · 7 Apr 2006

Sorry. The three way switch at the other end of hall, one switch does the hallway (where I am trying to fit dimmer), one does up stairs and the other does an outside light.
Has this got complicated or is it fairly straight forward, referring back to the initial posting.
Thanks

Qedelec · 7 Apr 2006

As I stated earlier the colours you describe are confusing.
A two way switching circuit may be wired in 3core+E using the colours red blue and yellow, but a switch with two in and two out will not enable two way switching.
It might profit you to call and electrician with suitable test equipment and knowledge.

DPG · 7 Apr 2006

Just one more thing before I go down the 'phone electrician' option, I've noticed that there are also two red wires that are connected together and insulated inside of the box.
So to summarise, the switch I am trying to replace has two cables with a red, yellow and blue wire in each. The red wires are joined together but not connected to the switch. The yellow and blue wire are connected to the switch as follows:
L1 - Blue
L2 - Blue
L3 - Yellow
L4 - Yellow
L1 and L3 have 'IN' and at the opposite L2 and L4 have 'OUT'

Also the yellow and blue wires all have a red band around them.

I want to connect these to a dimmer switch with the following connections:
L1, L2 and C.
Anymore help is appreciated.

dingbat · 7 Apr 2006

What you have is an intermediate switch. Can you switch this light from three different switches?

In which case you will need to replace it with an intermediate dimmer switch.

ban-all-sheds · 7 Apr 2006

DPG - you need to stop mixing up the terms "3-way" and "3-gang", or things will get in a terrible mess....

Qedelec · 8 Apr 2006

Intermediate switch came to me last night. As I said you had missed out vital information. Next time you visit the doctor for a splitting headache, make sure to tell him about the knife sticking out the back of your head.

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Wiring a Dimmer Switch

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