QA

How To Wire A 2 Way Dimmer Switch

Can you put a dimmer on a 2 way switch?

If you have a 2-way circuit (where the same lights are controlled by two switches) you must choose a push-on/push-off dimmer and replace one of the switches with that dimmer. You can only use one push-on/push-off dimmer in a 2-way circuit. It must be used in conjunction with a normal switch.

What is l1 and L2 on a dimmer switch?

Dimmers look slightly different to standard switches being much more chunky. They usually come supplied with a common(C), Line out(L1) and Line out(L2) terminals similarly to a two way switch. Sometimes all three terminals are in a row.

Does it matter which wire goes where on a dimmer switch?

1 Answer. Unless the new dimmer is specifically marked with LINE and LOAD or similar, it doesn’t matter which wire goes to which screw/pigtail in a simple two wire switch or dimmer. Since your new switch can be used as a three way, the instructions should say which screw should not be used.

What does l1 L2 and COM mean?

The single direction plane switch has two L1 terminals, the terminal to which the neutral cable is connected – the blue cable (traditional black, before changing). COM or Common is the terminal to which the live core cable is connected – this is the brown cable (red era).

How do you dim a light with two switches?

You just need a “3-Way LED Dimmer” and follow the appropriate wiring. Replace one of the switches (on each set of lights that have two switches) with the dimmer – the other switch will turn them on or off, at wherever the dimmer is set. +1 But you can use a wireless dimmer for full control from multiple locations.

What is L2 on a dimmer switch?

If you are using a push-on/push-off dimmerswitch there is a spare terminal (L2) that you will not need to use for a 1-way circuit. 2. 2-Way Circuits. 2-way lighting circuits have two switches turning the same light or lights on and off from two different locations (e.g.. at the top and bottom of the stairs).

What Colour wire goes to L2?

Brown for L1, Black for L2 and Grey for common. Result is Red (brown) is permant L.

Is L1 live or neutral?

The faceplate of a single, one-way switch has two terminals: “L1” is the terminal to which the neutral core wire is attached – the blue wire (traditionally black, before the change). “COM” or “Common” is the terminal to which the live core wire is attached – this is the brown wire (formerly red).

What happens if you wire a dimmer switch backwards?

But here’s the catch: If you connect the circuit wires to the wrong terminals on an outlet, the outlet will still work but the polarity will be backward. When this happens, a lamp, for example, will have its bulb socket sleeve energized rather than the little tab inside the socket.

Does polarity matter on dimmer switch?

Finish the job by installing the cover plate and turning on the power to test the new dimmer. It doesn’t matter if you reverse the two switch wires to a single-pole dimmer. In most cases, the two switch wires will be some color other than green or white, usually black.

What is COM L1 L2 in wiring?

The incoming circuit wires that provide the power are referred to as the line wires. L1 (line 1) is a red wire and L2 (line 2) is a black wire. Together, they show the motor voltage. Having both an L1 and L2 indicate that the motor voltage may be 240 volts.

What color is the COM wire?

Red and Black are connected to the switches if the White is used for neutral. The White is often referred to as Common, but the colored wires are also used as hot wires.

What does COM mean when wiring a light switch?

A one way light switch has two terminals which is a common marked as COM or C. The common is for the live wire that supplies the input voltage to the switch. The other terminal is marked as L1 and is the output to the light fixture.

Do you need an electrician to install a dimmer switch?

Electricity is a mystery to many people, but some electrical projects — like wiring a switch — are so simple that anyone can do them. With a few easy steps and the right knowledge, there’s no need to hire an electrician.

Do both switches need to be dimmers?

3-Way Dimmer Switches When using a 3-way dimmer switch, you should only have one dimmer on the circuit. The other switches (you can have more than one) must be on-off switches only. The other light switches turn the lights off and on to the level set by the dimmer.

What does L1 L2 L3 mean on a light switch?

Two way switch Note that L1 and L2 are never connected together. Again, some makes of switch may have alternative markings such as L1 L2 and L3. This type of switch is used where two switches control one light, such as at the top and bottom of a stairway.

What Colours are L1 L2 L3?

The USA has their own wiring colors for electrical circuits, black, red, and blue are used for 208 VAC three-phase; brown, orange and yellow are used for 480 VAC.International Wiring Color Codes. Region USA (LV)* Neutral (N) White Line 1 (L1) Black Line 2 (L2) Red Line 3 (L3) Blue.

What is neutral L1 or L2?

L1 is live and L2 is neutral. These will not short out.

Which is hot L1 or L2?

When wiring a new motor, you want your “hot” wire on L1 and neutral on L2. If you operate the dial you will see 115 volts instead of 230.

Is L1 permanent live?

The brown wire and the blue wire that is sheathed brown are already in terminals L1 and L2, this is described above. These two wires are the Permanent live and switched live. The Yellow wire goes in the common terminal, Red in the L1 terminal and Blue goes in the L2 terminal.

Is L2 neutral in single phase?

Single-phase 240-volt loads have no neutral current. 5. All single-phase 120-volt loads between supply lines (L1, L2, L3) and neutral have neutral currents. Consequently, single-phase 120- volt loads on L1-neutral and L2-neutral develop current flowing in the neutral line toward the supply ground, Gnd-0.