How To Install a Dimmer Switch

  • September 19, 2008
  • 5,019 Views
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How many handymen does it take to install a dimmer switch? None — you can do it yourself in a snap.

You Will Need

  • A screwdriver
  • A circuit tester
  • A wire cutter
  • A wire stripper
  • 3 twist-on wire connectors

Working with electricity is very dangerous. Be extremely careful and, if you have any doubts, contact a professional.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Cut the power

Step 1: Cut the power

Cut the power to the light switch by flipping the circuit breaker or removing the fuse at the main panel.

Make sure the power is off by flipping the light switch.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Remove the plate

Step 2: Remove the plate

Unscrew and remove the light switch cover plate.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Remove the switch

Step 3: Remove the switch

Unscrew the screws that anchor the switch in the electrical box, and remove the switch. It will now be attached by only three wires.

Use a circuit tester to make sure none of the wires going into the switch are live.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Remove two wires

Step 4: Remove two wires

Two of the wires going into the switch will be similar (either both black or one white and one black), while the third will be either a green or bare copper ground wire. Loosen the screws that hold the two similar wires to the switch, then remove those wires.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Remove the ground wire

Step 5: Remove the ground wire

Now remove the ground wire.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Cut the ends

Step 6: Cut the ends

Cut the ends of the three wires coming from the wall. You’ll use the wire leads that come already attached to your dimmer switch.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Strip the wires

Step 7: Strip the wires

Strip an inch of insulation off the wires coming from the wall. If your ground wire is bare, you won’t need to strip it.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Attach the ground wires

Step 8: Attach the ground wires

Use a twist-on wire connector to attach the green ground wire from the dimmer switch to the ground wire coming from the wall. Hold the wires next to each other, and screw on the connector in a clockwise direction.

Make sure the bare ends of any insulated wires are completely covered by the connector.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Attach one wire

Step 9: Attach one wire

Using another connector, attach one of the other two wires from the wall to either of the two black wires on the dimmer switch.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Attach the black wire

Step 10: Attach the black wire

Using another connector, attach the remaining wire from the wall to the remaining black wire on the switch.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Screw in the dimmer

Step 11: Screw in the dimmer

Screw the dimmer switch into the electrical box.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Reattach the cover

Step 12: Reattach the cover

Reattach the light switch cover plate and tighten its screws.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Attach the knob

Step 13: Attach the knob

Attach the knob to your dimmer.

How To Install a Dimmer Switch: Restore power

Step 14: Restore power

Restore power to your switch. Now let that light shine!

Turning an incandescent bulb just a quarter of the way down reduces its energy consumption by 20%.

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Comments (1)

pulpulpullie

did you know..? Installing a dimmer switch will NOT reduce energy consumtion.

over 3 years ago by pulpulpullie

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