Dimmer swtich wiring

[hruss]

Hello,

Would anyone be able to advise please on wiring a dimmer switch. The instructions that came with switch are rubbish, and no qualified electrician seems interested because the job is too small.

I have a dimmer with three terminals, operating three sets of lights. The terminals each have three connectors - L1, L2, and the squiggle.

There are two electrical cables. One cable has a red, blue, yellow and earth wire. The second has just red, blue and yellow.

If anyone can think how these wires should be hooked up, I'd really like your help as I've already pulled out too much of my hair!

Thanks

 

[electronicsuk]

Hello,

Would anyone be able to advise please on wiring a dimmer switch. The instructions that came with switch are rubbish, and no qualified electrician seems interested because the job is too small.

I have a dimmer with three terminals, operating three sets of lights. The terminals each have three connectors - L1, L2, and the squiggle.

I'm confused. I think when you say terminals, you actually mean gangs, and when you say connectors, you mean terminals.

So, if that's correct, what you actually have is a 3 gang 2-way dimmer.

As you've already pulled all the wires out, unless you've noted where the went in the old switch, I'm afraid you're a little stuffed. Do you have any electrical test equipment?

 

[1john]

have you removed the previous switcu already????

the dimmer will be wired the same as the old switch, with the cables that were in L1 and L2 the same, and the cable in terminal C or Common will go in your 'squiggle' terminal.

If you have removed the switch already then you are going to need a good multi meter and a good understanding of lighting circuits and two way switching

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[hruss]

Matthew & 1John

Many thanks for the quick replies. Yes, you're right about my confusion over terminology.

I noted down the way the previous wiring was set up, but I must have made a mistake because the lights don't work.

Don't have multi-meter, though the ones in Homebase are not expensive if you think it's worth buying one.

I do have power in the live wires - have tested with a simply voltage tester (the screwdriver type).

Russ

 

[sparkwright]

Is one (or more) of the switches supposed to be 2 way (ie with another switch at the other end of the room)?

Were any short links of red wire used between any of the terminals?

Any wires joined in connector blocks?

Can you send photos of the switch wiring, and anything relevent, and also a copy of your (possibly wrong) drawing?

 

[hruss]

Is one (or more) of the switches supposed to be 2 way (ie with another switch at the other end of the room)?

Were any short links of red wire used between any of the terminals?

Any wires joined in connector blocks?

Can you send photos of the switch wiring, and anything relevent, and also a copy of your (possibly wrong) drawing?

Hi Sparkwright - I've got problems uploading photos. Have you an email address? I'm on [email protected], and could send them. Thanks.

 

[electronicsuk]

Have you read the how to upload a photo guide?