wire up dimmer switch

[Toolbox]

Hi folks,
Went to wire up dimmer switch and found that the switch has 3 connections named LOAD,SLAVE, LIVE
how do I wire this up going to switch is brown power,be neutral and also
earth and from switch to light is brown and blue.
Thanks in advance

 

[Spark123]

Unlikely to be live and neutral at the switch however it is possible
Can you tell us exactly what you have there? Are there two blues connected together in a terminal block?
Can you upload a piccy? Sounds like you have a varilight type dimmer.

 

[Toolbox]

Thanks for quick response.I am fitting a wall light and intending to plug this into plug socket.So wiring is plug socket to dimmer to light.
Got the dimmer switch out of clearance bucket with no wiring diagram.
Think slave would take both neutral wires(common) and LIVE is
powr in and LOAD is power out??

 

[Spark123]

No - the neutrals don't connect into the switch. Slave means slave switch i.e. so you can have a second switch controlling the same light.
I'm not sure that this is the right thing to install in a flex, it sounds to me like it is meant for fixed wiring. The live is for the live power in and the load connects to the switch live which goes to the light.
Like I said though I'm not sure this is the right thing to connect into a flex - can you upload a piccy?

 

[Toolbox]

Think it would work if I bypassed switch and linked neutrals.Used LIVE in and LOAD out to light but unsure if this is good practice as I you say this switch is designed for hard wire into lighting circuit Have up loaded switch
picture

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• Toolbox
• 28 Dec 2008
• 1

 

[Spark123]

Yes - it is designed for use on fixed wiring so is not suitable for use on flex unless you can source a proper back box and some cable glands. Even then it will be a bit bulky.

 

[Toolbox]

Hi Thanks for info

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Think it would work if I bypassed switch and linked neutrals.Used LIVE in and LOAD out to light but unsure if this is good practice

It's the way you'd have to do it if you were installing the switch as expected, and your lighting circuit looped at the switches....

I think that before you start buying things in bargain bins you should spend a bit of time learning the basics of house wiring systems, particularly lighting circuits...

 

[breezer]

what watt is it? you may be able to use an inline dimmer

 

[Toolbox]

Wired dimmer switch up and worked ok.Used flex cable and plugged it into mains socket.Job done... wall light to dimmer switch (using back box fitted into partition wall,then plug fitted to flex cable and feed throo to mains socket located behind a cupboard which is rarely used.
Dimmer switch watt rating 40w to 400w.
Thanks for all and Happy New Year when it comes.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

wall light to dimmer switch (using back box fitted into partition wall,then plug fitted to flex cable and feed throo to mains socket located behind a cupboard which is rarely used.