Do not begin work until you have successfully located and turned off the circuit associated with your switch. If readings are high (anywhere from 1.5 to 1,000 volts) and the LED light turns red, you likely turned off the wrong switch in your breaker box. If you’re using a non-contact voltage meter, you can also take accurate readings by touching the tip of your meter to a rubber-encased wire. Touch the metal sensor tip of your voltage tester to an exposed area of wire or a screw that is in direct contact with your wires to obtain a reading. Voltage testers have an LED light, which turns on to verify that the unit’s working. Do not begin working with these wires until you’ve tested for any live voltage with your voltage tester. Whether you are installing a single or 3 way pole, you begin by unscrewing your existing switch plate and gently pulling the switch away from the wall so you can access the wires behind it. When shopping for dimmers, be sure to read their specific product details to be sure you’ve selected a switch that is compatible with your home configuration.
Three way dimmer switch pro#
Pro tip: You can also purchase a universal dimmer, which is designed to accommodate all light bulb types. Non Line Voltage Fixtures: If your light source is not line voltage, most manufacturers will specify which specialty dimmer switch that fixture requires, such as a magnetic low-voltage, electronic low-voltage, electronic fluorescent, or LED dimmer.
Line Voltage Fixtures: If you plan to dim a line voltage light fixture (120 volts or 1,800 to 2,200 lumens), you’ll be able to use a standard dimmer switch and can take standard incandescent, halogen, or Xenon bulbs. There’s a style to match your interior, from traditional, contemporary, colored, neutral shades, toggle and touch-style. Toggles: Dimmer toggles come in either up-down slides or round knob-wheel designs, and are typically accompanied by an on-off standard flip switch. Size: Dimmer switch plate sizes are the same as standard flip switches, measuring 5 by 3.5 inches for a single toggle switch, 5 by 4.625 inches for a double toggle, and similar aspect ratios for the triple and multi-switch options.The voltage of your lighting source is determined by bulb wattage, which can typically be found by unscrewing the bulb and reading its base or looking for markings inside the fixture port. It’s important to select a dimmer with the proper load type to suit the voltage of your lighting source.
Using non-dimmable CFLS with your dimmer switch can present a high risk of overheating and a possibility of electrical fire, so if you’re not sure whether or not your CFL bulb is dimmer-friendly, it’s best to replace them with incandescent bulbs or CFLs marked “dimmable.”Īvoid using a standard dimmer switch with any ceiling fans because the irregularities in energy currents can easily ruin the fan’s motor.
Due to fluctuations in voltage, you’ll need to ensure your compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) must be marked “dimmable” for safe use with a dimmer switch. Pro Tip: Dimmer switches are not compatible with all fluorescent lights. Turn your light switch to the OFF position and test it using a voltage tester, which can identify stray voltage and indicate that one or more power sources are not properly shut off.This eliminates the possibility of serious injury or electrocution. Be sure to turn power to the outlet off by switching the circuit breaker box or fuse that controls that particular area of the house to the OFF setting.Some precautions to take before you start If you’re thinking of installing a dimmer switch yourself, here are is a handy guide to show you the step by step process. Dimmer switches are becoming more and more popular, as homeowners love the ability to adjust their lighting situation. Installing a dimmer switch in your home can help you save energy and change the mood depending on the ambiance you want to create. When it comes to lighting with a dual purpose, dimmer switches can be a wonderfully useful tool if you do it right.
Three way dimmer switch how to#
In Dimmers and Controls How To Info Guides
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