Dimmer Switch Appears to be Broken

[RivendellProductions]

Hi.

Probably covered at some point in the forum, but couldn't find it...


My son's bedroom dimmer switch is a rotary switch & has always worked fine. It clicks positively when you switch it on or off & rotates smoothly.

As of tonight it no longer clicks on or off, and would not dim or brighten unless you continually turned the knob.

Now, however, it is no longer responding at all.

I assume I need a new switch?

I am an electrical novice, should I be attempting to replace this on my own? Don't really fancy getting someone in for a trivial job...

Any help appreciated as always,
Gaz

 

[Steve]

Yes, replace it yourself. Remember to replicate the connections identically.

 

[sherlockholmes]

I'm no electrician, but I can replace a light switch - it's pretty straightforward and you just need to be absolutely sure you can isolate it. This means turning off the fuse to that circuit. It should be a 6A fuse on your fuse box, hopefully labelled. All you need is a neon tester screwdriver which you can buy for a few pounds when you get the switch if you don't have one, replace like for like and copy what's already there, usually red to C and black to L1, make sure all connections are tight and job done. Check it's not live before disconnecting any wires.

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Gaz, as an 'electrical novice', you shouldn't be attempting this difficult task. So, get your son to do it. It's his bedroom afterall. Why should you put your life at risk? If he's old enough to have his own room, then he's old enough to use a small screwdriver........


Lucia.

 

[RivendellProductions]

Ok, that's me told!!!

Thanks for the wise words, esp Lucia.

Will make sure life insurance is well sorted before I attempt this monster task then!!!

Cheers Guys

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Gaz: I can always depend on someone from The Kingdom of Fife to have a good sense of humour......

Don't forget to switch off that circuit before replacing the dimmer, dear......



Lucia.

 

[bernardgreen]

Here is the dis-claimer

I'm no electrician,

And here is the proof

All you need is a neon tester screwdriver

 

[sherlockholmes]

Here is the dis-claimer

I'm no electrician,

And here is the proof

All you need is a neon tester screwdriver

Iwouldn't suggest it form a key part of a professional's toolkit, but for someone replacing a light switch every few years it is the ideal tool.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Unless it is mechanically a good screwdriver (and I don't believe any of them are) then no - it is not an ideal tool for anybody,