Can I have a dimmer switch on a 3 way circuit?

[Deansplit]

Can I have a dimmer switch on a 3 way circuit? I know the other 2 will have to be rocket switches, but do all switches cater for 2 &/or 3 way? (or if it's a 2 way switch does that mean it's also 3 way or is there a difference?

 

[1john]

yes you can add a dimmer switch, it needs to be a 2 way one and in place of one of the existing 2 way switches.

 

[sparkwright]

You can have a dimmer, but it will need to be a 2 way dimmer. They don't do intermediate dimmers, as far as I know.

 

[Deansplit]

So 2x 2 way rocket switches and 1x 2 way dimmer? Then controllable from 3 areas, only one being the dimmable control?

 

[1john]

No no no, one 2 way rocker switch, one intermediate rocker switch, one 2 way dimmer switch

 

[Deansplit]

Oh yeah, sorry, thx.

 

[sparkwright]

You won't be able to have a dimmer where the intermediate (4 terminal) switch is.

 

[Deansplit]

You won't be able to have a dimmer where the intermediate (4 terminal) switch is.

Oh, but surely the existing wires will mean I can put it in any of the 3 areas? Or do all 3 areas not have the same amount of wires to them?

 

[1john]

no they wont, read the wiki for intermediate light switching.

 

[Deansplit]

wiki?

 

[OwainDIYer]

You can use a 2-way dimmer in place of one of the 2-way switches, and keep the other 2-way and the intermediate switch. But you will only be able to turn the light on/off at the preset level.

Or you can use a master and remote system like this where one of the switches gets replaced as a master, and the other two get replaced with slaves. The wiring instructions here and the switches should replace conventionally wired 2-way system with 3+e cable between the switches. instructions

 

[1john]

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37582

 

[Deansplit]

Or you can use a master and remote system like this

Thanks for this. I'm glad u showed this particular switch, it's the type I was thinking of getting but not sure about the operation of it and if it's any good. The fact that you can't just switch on to full or off in in one hit - it sounds like you have to touch and hold to get desired brightness? Do you know much about them? Also, as the intensity works on a loop, if you want 100% on but don't realise you've reached it and it starts to dim again, you have to go all the way round again to try to stop it at 100% again, is that how they work??

I was actually going to get the RetroTouch switches - very expensive but nice looking, but it was a couple of people on this forum who said there's too much going on and didn't like the 'no neg connection'... any thoughts?... http://www.retrotouch.co.uk/rts2020.html

 

[sparkydude]

Intermeddiate dimmer switches ARE available , but at a price , see the link below

http://www.mr-resistor.co.uk/item.aspx?g=&t=104&r=189&i=4128&a=0



Nick

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you are going to use RetroTouch, or any type of control, other than bog standard switches and dimmers, then make sure that you get the full wiring instructions BEFORE YOU BUY THEM

and

check that the wiring that you have (or intend to install) is suitable for the new,fancy dimmers.

For example. If you buy one of these dimmers http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...s_All/Wiring_Accessories~Dimmers_5/index.html

it WILL NOT work in a standard circuit with ordinary 2-way and intermediate switches. You would need to buy a master and two slave switches.