Replace old swtich with dimmer

[brucieboy]

i am only a dabbler in electrics..ie changing like for like (switches/sockets etc)..that's as far as i go...i have tried to install a new metal faced dimmer switch for the old plastic switch...there is one red..one black with red sheath and the earth...coming out of the wall...i have connected up the red to com...the black(red sheath) to L1 and the earth cable to the earth connection on the dimmer,but no light..i have put the old one back on and this still works ok..any ideas,please

 

[brucieboy]

....i have looked at the packaging (MK dimmer )...it is a two way dimmer switch...the original plastic switch was one way...do i need to exchange it for a one-way version ?..

 

[RF Lighting]

No, a two way switch can be used in place of a one way switch (but not vice-versa)

It sounds as though you have wired it correctly, so I would try it again. If this fails to work try it with the black with red sheath in the L2 terminal and see if this makes a difference.

What is the rating in watts of the dimmer and how much and what type of lighting are you trying to dim?

 

[brucieboy]

I tried putitng the sheathed wire into L2 ,but no joy...all it feeds is one light in a small bedroom,with a 100w bulb...it is rated at 250w

 

[Lectrician]

You are pressing the dimmer in to turn it on arn't you??

 

[brucieboy]

yes,tried all that..pressing whilst turning etc..still no light..i'll exchange it for another one,tomorrow,thanks for your help

 

[RF Lighting]

Are you aware of the soft start function on MK dimmers?

This means that the lights do not come on straight away, they fade up to the desired brightness level over a few seconds.

 

[securespark]

The lamp didn't fail, did it?

If so, the dimmer may have gone to switch heaven...