Replacing a 2 gang dimmer

[dougalthedog]

I need to replace my tatty brass 2 gang dimmer with a nice new one.

Each dimmer controls a bank 3 spots.

On examining the existing wiring I find that there is no markings on the terminals apart from the words "connect wires either way round"

I have 2 reds and a black plus the earth

Switch 1 is wired: black into one terminal and red-1 into the other terminal with a blue wire exiting from where the red is connected

Switch 2 is wired: red-2 into one terminal with the blue wire looping from the other switch into the other terminal


The new dimmer has 3 terminals on each switch C, L1 and L2

As it is not a 2 way job, I take it I can ignore L2

I usually have no problems with electrics but the lak of marking on the old switch and the prospect of frying my pricey new one has made me nervous

Help anybody, please

 

[Adam_151]

Red-1 into one of the coms with a link wire to the other com (if your blue link is from a piece of flex, disregard it, and replace it with a piece of red or brown from T&E)

then the other red and the black into the L1 connections

Hope this helps

 

[dougalthedog]

Just connected up and it all works fine.

Thanks for you quick and accurate diagnosis



One other thing you might be able to give an opinion on.

Both the old and new dimmers make a humming noise - the new one being a little louder (probably nothing to worry about?)

What concerns me more is my main supply box (with all the trip switches) also hums when these dimmers are on and again it is a little louder with the new switch. Have I got anything to worry about?

If it makes any difference the new dimmer is an MK logic Plus 'Intelligent dimmer' rated at 2 x 40-300W (LV rating 2 x 40-240W/VA)low voltage, etc. and I am running 5 x 50W 240volt halogen spots

 

[RF Lighting]

the new dimmer is LV rating 2 x 40-240W/VA and I am running 5 x 50W 240volt halogen spots

The new dimmer is overloaded.
You need a dimmer rated at at least 400W