Guide to Installing a Light Dimmer for Your Home

Dimmer switches are very useful in saving electricity and controlling the flow of electricity across various lighting sources. Before installing a light dimmer, select the exact location where you want to install it. Here is the guide on how to install a light dimmer easily.

Before touching the switch, the most important step is to power off the electricity. To ensure, use a non-contact voltage detector to check the electricity is off in all switches. To replace the old switch, use a screwdriver to unclip the wires from the terminal and observe the wire’s colors and how they were connected. To avoid tangling of wires, bend them in the opposite direction. You can trim back some inch of insulation with a pair of wire strippers to make room for a better connection.

Here is the guide on how to install both single pole and 3-way light switch

How to Install a Single Pole Dimmer Switch

  • For connection of the single pole light dimmer switch, you will find one black wire, and the other mostly comes in red color, and sometimes it has a black marking. The ground wire can be detected as bare copper wire.
  • Connect one of the black wires of the dimmer to the red wire of the house.
  • The green wire of the dimmer switch would go with the bare copper ground wire.
  • And lastly, attach the other black wire of the light dimmer switch to the black wire of the house.
  • To connect the wires, twist them in a clockwise direction and screw on a wire nut for a secure connection.
  • Apply the electrical tape on the wire nut to ensure the connection.
  • After all the wires are connected, push back the wires into the electrical box.
  • With the help of a screwdriver, connect the switch to the electrical box.
  • To test if the light dimmer is working fine, turn on the power and check. After ensuring everything, replace the cover plate with small screws using a screwdriver.

How to Install a Three-Way Light Switch

  • To connect the three-way switch, there would be four wires, including the ground wire in the electrical box.
  • The hot wire in the electrical box connected with a black screw should be marked before disconnecting as It carries the power to the switch.
  • The other two wires are interchangeable and usually called traveler wires as they travel between two switches.
  • First, connect the green ground wire from the three-way switch to the copper ground wire by tightening the wire nut.
  • Next, attach the two traveler wires from the house to the traveler wires of the three-way switch.
  • Lastly, connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire from the house and secure it by wrapping the electrical tape on the wire nut.
  • After every wire is connected and secured, attach the switch to the electrical box with the help of a screwdriver. Then check the dimmer switch by switching on the power.
  • Place the cover plate and Avoid screwing the screws too tightly as the pressure could crack the plate.
  • And the dimmer switch is all set to save the electricity and set the mood!!

In this article, we have discussed how to install a light dimmer. We have gone through two types of light dimmer and their installation. There are many competitions between the seller of the electrical products. But always opt for trusted and quality electrical products to ensure their working and safety. IndoAsian is the right option as their products come with a warranty to ensure customer safety and trust.

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