replacing a single pole dimmer with a 3 pole dimmer

jimboger1 · 15 Nov 2022

Hi
first post here, so be gentle
I currently have a single gang dimmer, operating a set of 4 downlighters in the kitchen, wired as follows and as shown -

RED live supply wire going into C
RED feed coming from light into L1
BLACK wire from circuit & light JOINED
EARTH wire from circuit & light JOINED to back of switch

looking to add an additional 2 pendant lights into the same area, and replacing the single dimmer with a triple dimmer
have fed the 2 lengths of T & E to the wall cut out, but unsure on how to wire these up

from looking on line, it looks like it should be wired something like -

4 EARTH, all joined to and earthed at rear of switch
4 BLACK all joined together
LIVE supply feed into 1st C, then looped to 2nd C, then 3rd C
3 RED wires from lights into 1st L1, 2nd L1, then 3rd L1

thanks in advance
Jim

phatboy · 15 Nov 2022

Yes that will work. But L1 or L2 would be the supply, and common is the lights. Doesn't matter often, but smart dimmers need it that way.....

terryplumb · 15 Nov 2022

You pretty much have it correct.
Permanent live looped to each switch ,and switched live ( and neutral) to each fitting ( or group).
Earth conductors together at switch plates earth terminal.

jimboger1 · 15 Nov 2022

hi Terry,
just to clarify, when you say Permanent live looped to each switch, is that as ive described above, i.e. Permanent Live (Red) in to the first Common, then looped to 2nd Common & 3rd Common
Then the Neutral (black) either into each fitting, (L2??), or alternatively, just wrapped together into a connector block?
Jim

EFLImpudence · 15 Nov 2022

jimboger1 said:
just to clarify, when you say Permanent live looped to each switch, is that as ive described above, i.e. Permanent Live (Red) in to the first Common, then looped to 2nd Common & 3rd Common

Yes.

jimboger1 said:
Then the Neutral (black) either into each fitting, (L2??), or alternatively, just wrapped together into a connector block?
Jim

All in a connector block.

Wire the new ones the same as the existing one.

jimboger1 · 15 Nov 2022

thank you EFL

jimboger1 · 17 Nov 2022

Hi ELF, or anyone else
everything now fitted as described above, however, wondering if the new 3 gang dimmer may be faulty
wiring as shown in the diagram left to right as follows

dimmer 3 far left dimmer 2 middle dimmer 1 far right
L2 empty L2 empty L2 empty
C, looped with C on dimmer 2 C, looped with dimmer 1 C, permanent live in & looped to dimmer 2
L1 switched live to light 1 L1 is switched live to light 2 feed L1 is switched live to light 1

All Nuetrals connected together at rear, and all earths connected to rear of socket

all lights are working, getting a live signal on all L2's when switches are off, and then a live signal on all L1's when switches are on - which im sure is correct, but im getting a slight cracking sound from dimmer one when turning the dimmer

terryplumb · 17 Nov 2022

Re check all connections at dimmers ,and neutrals.
If still the same , swap dimmers 1 and 3 positions on the faceplate.
If the same dimmer is crackling in a new position it's likely to be duff.
Are all dimmers and respective lamps/ bulbs/ LED's compatible ??

jimboger1 · 17 Nov 2022

hi Terry, checked all connections, haven't swapped dimmers yet, but I can see the dimmer module is sparking inside

terryplumb · 17 Nov 2022

Sounds like the dimmer is goosed.

jimboger1 · 17 Nov 2022

thanks, it was a cheapie from Toolstation, ill go get a better one

jimboger1 · 17 Nov 2022

faulty dimmer, all sorted, thanks for the help

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replacing a single pole dimmer with a 3 pole dimmer

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