Double Dimmer Not Working

[lucyappleton]

That single light isn't a energy saver is it?

We did briefly put an energy saver on there some time ago I think that's why it doesn't dim any more. There all dimable halogen now.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

For the multimeter turn to the dial to low ohms.
Switch the dimmer on to full and put the meter probes in com and L1 on the first dimmer and you should get a low ohm reading which means there is continuity between the com and L1 - do the same for the second one.

Dimmers are not rheostats - you can't take measurements like that.

 

[lucyappleton]

I'm going to wire this dimmer in in the morning, and I'm going to make damn sure that the brown goes in the com and the blue with brown sleeve goes in L1, and it should just work, right?

could there be an issue with using halogens? If so , why does the old dimmer work?

could there be an issue with the wires, maybe they're not as they appear, if not, why does the old dimmer work?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Do you know how to test for voltage using your multi-meter? Could be worth confirming which of the cables at your switch are permanently live. By your set up, you would expect it to be the at least one, if not both your brown cores but don't take anything for granted. Do be careful whilst doing this test as you are working live!

 

[lucyappleton]

Success!!

I wired it up and it works!

I don't know why the other dimmers didn't work but this one is a different brand from the other ones, so they were probably duff ones or I broke them.

Thank you all for your help, I now know lots of things about dimmers, circuits and multimeters, which I'm sure will come in handy in the future.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Good to hear you are now fully functional and enlightened!