I have a simple, only-controls-one-light on-off switch that I want to replace with a dimmer. Out of the wall come 3 mains-looking cables, each of which has the normal 3 wires: one brown, one blue, one yellow/green. The old switch has one brown wire going into L1, and the other 2 brown ones going into COM, and the 'neutral' and 'earth' wires are blanked off. The new dimmer switch has receivers marked L1 and L2, and one marked with the rheostat symbol, as well as an earthing screw (old switch housing plastic, dimmer housing metal). As I have already electrocuted myself once today, I am keen not to do it again - can anyone help me with wiring up the new switch?
Simple swith to dimmer
- Thread starter ScrewedChi
- Start date
B
breezer
yes, turn the mains off first
also change like for like i am not too keen on the eires you have as it sounds like they have used flex (unless the green and yellow you mention is sleaving, is it?)
also look in for refernce, and note my signature
also change like for like i am not too keen on the eires you have as it sounds like they have used flex (unless the green and yellow you mention is sleaving, is it?)
also look in for refernce, and note my signature
Thanks. It's a new flat, and there are other things about it that I don't like. Should I be worried/angry?
B
breezer
angry is up to you. if its very very new then yes it will have the colours mentioned (but you never said that in your first post, hence my concern)
That's set my mind at rest, thanks - any advice as to which wires to put in which terminals in the new switch? There is no like for like as the terminals are marked differently on the 2 switches!
the earth wire (bare wire with green/yellow sleeving if its normal T&E) should go to the earth terminal
the other two wires should go to the terminal with the rehostat symbol and either L1 OR L2 (doesn't matter which one if its a push switch if its a rocker your choice of L1 or L2 will result in the switch working opposite ways up)
the other two wires should go to the terminal with the rehostat symbol and either L1 OR L2 (doesn't matter which one if its a push switch if its a rocker your choice of L1 or L2 will result in the switch working opposite ways up)
B
breezer
ScrewedChi said:
i did say look in for refernce, you obviously didnt
It's a miracle!!ScrewedChi said:
B
breezer
ban-all-sheds said:
yes i suppose it is really. to be electrocuted and then able to type about it does justify a miricle
Dont electricians use junction boxes any more??? Whats with looping into light switches now? Has the price of JBs gone through the roof?? Dont they realise its so much easier for DIYers to change light switches if there's only 2 wires? Is this sort of thing safe? (ie. too many cables in a small box etc)
By the way, sounds like you bought a 2-way dimmer. Try using the rheostat one for COM, and L1 for switched live. Havent you got any instructions? Most dimmers come with them. Dont blame me if it goes pair-shaped, ive had a few to drink.
By the way, sounds like you bought a 2-way dimmer. Try using the rheostat one for COM, and L1 for switched live. Havent you got any instructions? Most dimmers come with them. Dont blame me if it goes pair-shaped, ive had a few to drink.
trouble with junction boxes is according to the regs they are supposed to be accessible (exactly what counts as acessible is not defined by the regs themselves)......
looping in at the light was the traditional way in this country but is made awkward by modern inported fittings
i can't see any problem with looping in at the switch provided a suitablly deep backbox is used and it also makes it easier to add wall lights later (though that can also be achived by using 3+E for the switch drop)
looping in at the light was the traditional way in this country but is made awkward by modern inported fittings
i can't see any problem with looping in at the switch provided a suitablly deep backbox is used and it also makes it easier to add wall lights later (though that can also be achived by using 3+E for the switch drop)
Thanks to all. Sorry Breezer, I couldn't find your reference.
Here goes...!
Here goes...!
B
breezer
ScrewedChi said:
must try harder
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