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How do you wire a dimmer to a ceiling light?
Installing a Dimmer Switch Select a dimmer switch that has a rated capacity high enough to handle the combined wattage of all the bulbs in the chandelier added together. Turn the power off to the fixture at the breaker. Remove the cover and existing switch. Attach the dimmer to the wires using wire nuts.
Can I put a dimmer switch on a ceiling light?
Common Types of Dimmable Fixtures Nearly all fixtures with standard sockets can be dimmed using incandescent or halogen bulbs. Adding a dimmer control to ceiling and wall lights in the bedroom lets you control the brightness for reading or dressing.
Can you put a dimmer switch on any light?
A dimmer switch can be installed anywhere that an existing on or off switch is in place. Replacing the current toggle switch with a dimmer switch will allow you to change the lights’ brightness, so long as you are using a light bulb that is compatible with the dimmer you have chosen.
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.
Do dimmer switches need special wiring?
Remember: Dimmer switches don’t work on most fluorescent fixtures, and low-voltage lighting requires special low-voltage dimmers. Remove the wires from the old switch. Dimmer switches are usually connected to the house wiring by short lengths of wire coming out of the switch body rather than by screw terminals.
What are the 3 wires on a dimmer switch?
Single pole switches will have 3 wires: a hot lead wire, a ground wire, and a traveler wire. Older homes may only have a hot lead and a ground wire. If you have less than three wires, stop and call an electrician.
Can dimmer switches be used with ceiling fans?
Standard dimmer switches should never be used to control the fan motor on a ceiling fan because the dimmer could damage the fan motor, or overheat and start a fire. A safe repair can be as simple as replacing the dimmer switch with a standard toggle switch, but you also lose the ability to dim the light.
How do you make a light fixture dimmable?
What can I do to make sure my light bulbs dim properly? Make sure your LED light bulbs are dimmable. Upgrade your dimming circuit from leading edge to LED-ready trailing edge. Use a compatible dimmer. Move to a non-dimmable circuit. Ensure that all your light bulbs are of the same type and from the same manufacturer.
How do I install a dimmer switch without a ground wire?
In that case, an exception in article 404.9(B) of the current National Electric Code (NEC) allows a dimmer without a connecting ground wire to still be installed if it is a replacement. Simply remove the dimmer wire, or cut it short and cap it with a wire nut.
What kind of bulbs can be used with dimmer switches?
Incandescent and Halogen light bulbs work well with dimmer switches. However, due to many advances in lighting technology, CFLs and LEDs are catching up and do a good job, the same as incandescent light bulbs do. When getting bulbs for dimming, be sure that it’s compatible with your switches.
What happens if I wire a dimmer switch backwards?
A light switch is a simple device with only two states, competing a circuit (On) or breaking a circuit (Off). It is a series control element is a series – parallel circuit design. A light switch has no polarization so when you reverse the connections on the light switch it works just as before you reversed the wires.
Are dimmer switches wired differently?
Unlike standard switches, most dimmer switches have wire leads that are connected to the circuit wires with wire connectors, rather than using screw terminal connections.
How many wires do I need for a dimmer switch?
Attach the Dimmer Switch There will be three wires: one black, one white, and a separate ground wire that may be bare copper or is sometimes wrapped in green.
Why are my dimmable lights not dimming?
One of the most apparent reasons for dimmer switches not being able to dim all the way is the lack of compatibility between the dimmer and bulb you have used. There are dimmable bulbs and non-dimmable bulbs; if you were to use a non-dimmable bulb with a dimmer switch, it wouldn’t work out at all.
Do dimmer switches need a neutral?
Since most Insteon-compatible wall switches and dimmers require a neutral wire connection to operate, you need to know if you have one of these in place. It’s not just Insteon switches and dimmers but most smart lighting in general that call for this neutral wire.
Can you put a dimmer switch on fluorescent lights?
Dimming fluorescent tubes FYI, fluorescent lights do not dim well at all. Furthermore, it takes the correct type of dimmer switch, like those made for incandescent or led lights won’t work with fluorescent lights and a fluorescent light fixture that’s rated for dimming.
